Experts Targeted Farm Loss Through Energy Reforms
New strategies aim to help smallholder farmers reduce waste and improve food security via renewable energy and cooperation.
Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Organic Food
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Experts at the Africa Food Systems Forum have proposed a plan to curb significant agricultural waste in Sub-Saharan Africa. The strategy focuses on adopting renewable energy and forming farmer cooperatives to preserve produce from harvest to market.
Why it matters
Reducing post-harvest loss is critical for a region where agriculture accounts for one-third of the GDP and employs 60 percent of the labor force. Addressing storage gaps could bolster local food supplies and prevent billions of dollars in economic waste annually.
Reported loss rates reached 40 percent for farm produce and up to 70 percent for perishables across Sub-Saharan Africa. While Nigeria reported up to 40 million metric tonnes of food waste in 2025, researchers noted that these figures represent a massive portion of the regional agricultural output.
The players
Africa Food Systems Forum
An international platform dedicated to advancing agricultural policies and food security initiatives across the African continent.
The details
The proposed model involves organizing smallholder farmers into cooperatives to leverage shared cold-storage infrastructure, which lowers the high capital costs of individual solar technology investment. By aggregating demand across the value chain, farmers can create productive loads that reduce transaction costs and perceived financial risk. This systemic approach aims to shift the reliance from traditional transport methods to localized, renewable cooling solutions.
Timeline
2021: South Africa released a foundational food loss research report.
2025: Nigeria incurred estimated post-harvest losses of $2.3 billion to $3.3 billion.
October 2, 2026: The Africa Food Systems Forum in Kigali convened to address these inefficiencies.
Health Landscape
This proposal aligns with the ongoing work of the Africa Food Systems Forum to modernize agricultural infrastructure. It represents a shift from traditional subsistence approaches toward integrated, technology-backed models that aim to stabilize regional food supplies.
Improving food preservation infrastructure may eventually increase the consistency and quality of fresh produce available in local markets. Residents in affected regions should monitor for future updates on local cooperatives as these initiatives transition from policy proposals to community-level projects.
The takeaway
Reducing food waste is essential for regional economic stability and the consistent availability of nutritious produce. Consumers interested in food security can support local cooperatives or regional agricultural advocacy groups that promote sustainable storage and transport technology.
Further reading
Learn more about sustainable food production and waste reduction in the Organic Food section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by IPS Inter Press Service - Global News Agency.
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