In countries where the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) main offices are located, tomatoes vary in abundance - with the average supply from approximately one tenth of a medium-sized (60g) tomato per person per week in Ethiopia, to four medium-sized tomatoes per person per week in India, and up to 12 medium-sized tomatoes per person per week in the US.
Based on an external assessment, this working paper summarises PLAN’s work in Nigeria (N-PLAN) and Indonesia (I-PLAN), impacts to date, and key learnings. The assessment indicated that PLAN has helped create influential networks, allowing diverse stakeholders to work together to address common issues related to post-harvest loss.
In 2016, the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) and its partners spotted a gap in postharvest loss interventions targeted to a) nutritious foods and b) working in the supply chain beyond the farm. The Postharvest Loss Alliance for Nutrition (PLAN) was launched in Nigeria.
In Nigeria, 40–50% of fresh fruits and vegetables are lost during crating, transportation, storage and processing. In the tomato sector, for instance, it is estimated that more than 40% of tomato production does not reach consumers. One of the main reasons for this massive waste is the lack of a temperature-controlled supply chain— known as cold chain which prevents fresh foods from spoiling between farm and market.
This report describes a randomized controlled trial among groundnut farmers in northern Ghana designed to test the impact of two approaches to encouraging adoption of post-harvest practices for the reduction of aflatoxins. Results indicate that simply training farmers and making tools for aflatoxin prevention available has a significant impact on post-harvest practices.
This research brief provides the key findings from a study commissioned by GAIN'S Postharvest Loss Alliance for Nutrition to conduct a landscape analysis to better understand the dried tomato production and market in Nigeria. Structured questionnaires were used to elicit information on socio-economic characteristics of selectors processors, traders, and consumers.
This research brief summarizes findings from the national cold chain capacity mapping of Nigeria, conducted between December 2017 and February 2018. Despite having the largest economy in Africa, Nigeria has among the world’s highest burdens of malnutrition. Improving supply chain infrastructure and food storage practices has the potential to significantly reduce postharvest losses and waste across the country.
Lack of data and tools to understand and design for the optimal mix of interventions, across groups and over time, is a key limitation in managing this inherent tension. This series of articles proposes a way forward to address this gap.
Postharvest losses of fresh tomatoes in Nigeria represent a significant waste of the resources used to grow this crop as well as a missed opportunity to supply nutrients to Nigerian consumers. This study sheds light on the nutritional benefits of dried tomatoes and shows how the nutrient content is affected by the various drying and storage methods used in Nigeria.
In this Learning Brief, the Postharvest Loss Alliance for Nutrition (PLAN) explores some of the equity funding options available to small- and medium-sized agribusinesses in Nigeria. This brief is meant to serve as a primer to help business owners gain a better understanding of how to make their business ideas more attractive to investors.
