

Post-harvest losses are widespread in many parts of Africa. Source: Wikimedia Commons
Feeding Africa’s growing population is a major development challenge for governments, policy makers and agricultural experts. Adding to the challenge is the high level of food loss and waste experienced by most smallholder farmers.
African Postharvest Losses Information System reports show that African countries waste more than 30% of fresh fruit and vegetables through poor post-harvest management. The impact of this loss and waste is severe on smallholder farmers who depend on agriculture for their livelihood. The Rockefeller Foundation has warned that poor post-harvest infrastructure could cause millions of households dependent on agriculture in Africa to fall into greater poverty.
The region urgently needs solutions to reduce food loss and waste.
Tanzania is one of the countries experiencing this problem. The east African country is an agriculture-based economy with small farmers dominating the sector. Most smallholder farmers live in areas with limited access to electricity. Because of this, they do not have cold storage facilities for their fresh vegetables and fruits. With a lack of cold storage, nearly 30% of Tanzania’s fresh produce is lost before it reaches consumers. For fresh tomatoes, as much as 50% is lost before reaching the markets due to poor storage conditions.
Recently, solar-powered cold storage facilities have emerged as a potential solution. These facilities have already benefited thousands of farmers and entrepreneurs in Nigeria. But they did not reach many others in sub-Saharan Africa.
In my recent research, I explored what is holding back progress. Focusing on tomato farming in the Kilolo district of southeastern Tanzania, I spoke with farmers, solar energy experts and policy experts to explore what needs to be done to improve access to these cold storage facility. I found that the barriers to adoption are limited knowledge, the cost of technology, the low capacity of farmers to pay, and the preference of consumers for non-refrigerated food. Practical policy interventions will include incentives to attract investment, payment flexibility to make the technology more affordable, and greater awareness of the benefits of cold storage.
What causes the loss of tomatoes
Tomato production has great agribusiness potential in Tanzania. However, smallholder farmers face many post-harvest management challenges.
In my interactions with the farmers, I noticed that most of the tomatoes were damaged soon after harvest due to poor handling, lack of proper storage and the use of motorcycles to transport the tomatoes from of farms to distant wholesale markets.
Due to lack of storage facilities, farmers without pre-order keep their harvest in a shaded open space while waiting for buyers. Some report treating ripe tomatoes with chemicals to delay ripening while waiting for buyers. Or they just delay harvesting it. When the rains come, most tomatoes spoil easily. As a result of all these factors, the loss of tomatoes after harvest can be up to 60%.
Solar powered cold storage technology
Tanzania has made significant progress in increasing access to solar energy technologies for rural populations. About 70% of rural households use solar-powered appliances. But high investment costs remain the most significant barrier to uptake.
A solar expert told me that a 40ft solar-powered cold storage facility can cost about US$20,000 to set up. Since most of the small farmers are low income, such a facility is beyond their reach. As a result of the small market share and the significant upfront costs involved, solar companies are reluctant to venture into the cold storage technology business, this solar expert added. Capital cost constraints are also linked to poor financing for renewable energy programs. In many parts of Africa, including Tanzania, insufficient foreign direct investment for solar energy projects has been identified as a major barrier to market growth.
Solar powered technologies are a clean energy solution with environmental benefits. But they are rarely promoted; marketing is poor. In Tanzania, my interactions with farmers and entrepreneurs revealed that the majority of the potential market does not have basic knowledge of solar-powered cold storage. They are interested in using technology to reduce losses during harvest. But they are not sure how it will affect their business income. They need more information.
Farmers and traders also expressed concerns about whether their regular clients are willing to buy chilled or refrigerated tomatoes. I was surprised to hear that this was a potential problem. According to these farmers, most consumers in Tanzania prefer freshly harvested tomatoes. Another said, “Distant buyers from Dar es Salaam, Tanga, or Dodoma sometimes choose to go straight to the farm and pick the tomatoes they want; usually, they want and you want to harvest the ones that are green.” stage so they don’t lose. They don’t spoil during transportation. These types of buyers don’t buy tomatoes stored in a cold storage facility.”
Experts suggest that this concern may stem from limited exposure to chilled and frozen foods among local African populations. Solar service providers need to be aware of this market reality.
Overcoming obstacles
Solar-powered cold storage technology is paramount in Africa’s efforts to cut post-harvest losses and achieve food security, as outlined in the African Union’s Malabo Declaration. But costs and affordability make it very challenging for solar service providers based in Africa. Private sector participation is needed to increase financing and investment for cold storage technologies in emerging markets such as Tanzania. This can only be achieved under a supportive regulatory environment and innovative policy incentives that attract capital.
The good news is that in the last few years, private financing for renewable energy programs in developing countries has more than doubled. Opportunities are opening up for solar companies based in Africa and their potential markets.
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Citation: Tanzania’s tomato harvest wasted: Solar-powered cold storage could be a sustainable solution (2023, January 12) retrieved 12 January 2023 from https://phys.org/news/2023-01-tanzania -tomato-harvest-solar -powered-cold.html
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