By Ramatu Garba
Kano – A Non-Governmental Organization, Farm Radio International, has expressed its readiness to work through several communication channels to support Africa’s small scale farmers to reduce post-harvest losses.
Speaking at a press conference in Kano on Thursday, Mr Mweruka Pascal, Radio and Craft Development Officer, noted that such support was to reduce food waste with new partnership in Nigeria, Kenya and Tanzania.
“Reducing post-harvest loss project will develop a communication strategy encompassing radio, television, cellphones and mobile videos.
“It will bridge the gap between farmers’ awareness and adoption of improved farming practices.
“An estimated one third of harvested food do not make it to the plate while fruits and vegetables rot in the field, spoil at the market or go unused at home.
“In Sub-Saharan Africa, 40 per cent of root crops, 50 per cent of fruits and vegetables and 20 per cent of cereals were lost before they hit the market.
“YieldWise is working to address food loss through a nexus of four opportunities of connecting farmers to markets, helping farmers’ access technologies solution to crop loss.
““Others are helping farmers’ access financing and technology to drive market growth and engaging global businesses to address supply chain,’’ he said.
Pascal stated that at the local level, farmers can reduce post-harvest loss if they are better connected to markets and supported to meet buyer’s needs and expectations.
“Farmers need access to existing new technologies to fight pests, store crops and transport them to markets.
“With 700 radio partners across 40 Sub-Saharan African countries, Farm Radio International currently reached tens of millions of small scale farmers with life-changing information and opportunities to have a stronger voice in their own development,” he explained.
He noted that for more than 100 years, the Rockefeller Foundation’s mission has been to promote the well-being of humanity.
“The Foundation also strives to catalyze and scale transformative innovations and create unlikely partnership that span sectors, and take risks others cannot or not willing to take,’’ he said.
(NAN)
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