Minimizing postharvest food losses: a vital strategy to alleviate food insecurity and malnutrition in developing nations: a review

Abstract As global food production encounters escalating challenges, postharvest losses (PHLs) emerge as a critical yet often overlooked issue. Despite considerable progress in food production, PHLs remain a significant concern, accounting for an average of 14% of food production in 2021. Against th...

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Main Authors: Ayesha Ashraf Khan, Yasmeen Siddiqui, Kadambot H. M. Siddique, Jack A. Bobo, Asgar Ali
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer 2024-11-01
Series:Discover Food
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1007/s44187-024-00129-0
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author Ayesha Ashraf Khan
Yasmeen Siddiqui
Kadambot H. M. Siddique
Jack A. Bobo
Asgar Ali
author_facet Ayesha Ashraf Khan
Yasmeen Siddiqui
Kadambot H. M. Siddique
Jack A. Bobo
Asgar Ali
author_sort Ayesha Ashraf Khan
collection DOAJ
description Abstract As global food production encounters escalating challenges, postharvest losses (PHLs) emerge as a critical yet often overlooked issue. Despite considerable progress in food production, PHLs remain a significant concern, accounting for an average of 14% of food production in 2021. Against the backdrop of 811 million people facing food insecurity and the triple burden of malnutrition, it becomes increasingly evident that reducing food losses offers a sustainable solution to enhancing global food and nutritional security, particularly in developing countries. This review aims to underscore the significance of PHLs, their impact on global food security, and the current PHL scenario in developing nations. Despite the abundance of innovative technologies developed by researchers, accessibility to these technologies remains limited for farmers in many countries. The ongoing struggle and dire circumstances surrounding proper food handling in developing nations necessitate immediate action. Research efforts must focus on assessing the regional applicability, costs, and economic returns of existing technologies for mitigating PHLs. In addition to capital investments, the long-term sustainability of reducing PHLs hinges on ensuring the effective use of these technologies through education and training. Graphical Abstract
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issn 2731-4286
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publishDate 2024-11-01
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spelling doaj-art-cace3a5e9a984c1c9fe7bf6c0c38dcfe2024-11-17T12:32:21ZengSpringerDiscover Food2731-42862024-11-014111310.1007/s44187-024-00129-0Minimizing postharvest food losses: a vital strategy to alleviate food insecurity and malnutrition in developing nations: a reviewAyesha Ashraf Khan0Yasmeen Siddiqui1Kadambot H. M. Siddique2Jack A. Bobo3Asgar Ali4Centre of Excellence for Postharvest Biotechnology (CEPB), School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham MalaysiaDepartment of Biological Sciences, College of Science, King Faisal UniversityThe UWA Institute of Agriculture, The University of Western AustraliaUniversity of Nottingham Food Systems InstituteCentre of Excellence for Postharvest Biotechnology (CEPB), School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham MalaysiaAbstract As global food production encounters escalating challenges, postharvest losses (PHLs) emerge as a critical yet often overlooked issue. Despite considerable progress in food production, PHLs remain a significant concern, accounting for an average of 14% of food production in 2021. Against the backdrop of 811 million people facing food insecurity and the triple burden of malnutrition, it becomes increasingly evident that reducing food losses offers a sustainable solution to enhancing global food and nutritional security, particularly in developing countries. This review aims to underscore the significance of PHLs, their impact on global food security, and the current PHL scenario in developing nations. Despite the abundance of innovative technologies developed by researchers, accessibility to these technologies remains limited for farmers in many countries. The ongoing struggle and dire circumstances surrounding proper food handling in developing nations necessitate immediate action. Research efforts must focus on assessing the regional applicability, costs, and economic returns of existing technologies for mitigating PHLs. In addition to capital investments, the long-term sustainability of reducing PHLs hinges on ensuring the effective use of these technologies through education and training. Graphical Abstracthttps://doi.org/10.1007/s44187-024-00129-0Postharvest managementMalnutritionFood lossFood insecurityFood supply chain
spellingShingle Ayesha Ashraf Khan
Yasmeen Siddiqui
Kadambot H. M. Siddique
Jack A. Bobo
Asgar Ali
Minimizing postharvest food losses: a vital strategy to alleviate food insecurity and malnutrition in developing nations: a review
Discover Food
Postharvest management
Malnutrition
Food loss
Food insecurity
Food supply chain
title Minimizing postharvest food losses: a vital strategy to alleviate food insecurity and malnutrition in developing nations: a review
title_full Minimizing postharvest food losses: a vital strategy to alleviate food insecurity and malnutrition in developing nations: a review
title_fullStr Minimizing postharvest food losses: a vital strategy to alleviate food insecurity and malnutrition in developing nations: a review
title_full_unstemmed Minimizing postharvest food losses: a vital strategy to alleviate food insecurity and malnutrition in developing nations: a review
title_short Minimizing postharvest food losses: a vital strategy to alleviate food insecurity and malnutrition in developing nations: a review
title_sort minimizing postharvest food losses a vital strategy to alleviate food insecurity and malnutrition in developing nations a review
topic Postharvest management
Malnutrition
Food loss
Food insecurity
Food supply chain
url https://doi.org/10.1007/s44187-024-00129-0
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