An estimated Sh72 billion is lost every season by not addressing food loss and waste, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Kenya has said. FAO Kenya Assistant representative Hamisi Williams, in a webinar to mark the first International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste on Tuesday, said farmers lose earnings as they struggle to manage, store and transport produce to the market. Food loss typically takes place at the production, storage, processing and distribution stages in the food value chain, while food waste refers to food, which is of good quality and fit for consumption, but is not consumed because it is discarded either before or after it is left to spoil. According to the UN agency, a vast majority of food loss across Africa happens between harvest and the point of sale, while very little is wasted by consumers after purchase. Agriculture Principal Secretary Hamadi Boga said the ministry aims to cut down the loss and wastage of food to at least six per cent.

Source: Standard Digital September 30, 2020 21:00 UTC