MITIGATING FOOD LOSSES IN BENIN Status and Way Forward for Postharvest Research and Innovations

But what is the real magnitude of losses and what direction should postharvest innovations take so as to achieve loss reduction targets without the risk of reinventing the wheel? These questions still remain a challenge for the govern- ment, development agencies, donors and research institutions redeemed, and by what amount of effort and expense. [...] Benin is located on the West Coast of Africa MIT IGAT ING FOOD LOSSES IN BEN IN : S t a t u s a n d Wa y F o r w a r d f o r P o s t h a r v e s t R e s e a r c h a n d I n n o v a t i o n s 2 Out of a total of 343 relevant documentation located, only 72 solely on physical losses at the storage level with insect infesta- tion alone being the loss agent that was investigated. [...] Cowpea grains at the market Cassava at a processing centre A farmer conducts preliminary processing of rice Rough handling hastens deterioration MIT IGAT ING FOOD LOSSES IN BEN IN : S t a t u s a n d Wa y F o r w a r d f o r P o s t h a r v e s t R e s e a r c h a n d I n n o v a t i o n s 4 The way forward for postharvest research and innovation RESEARCH AND INNOVATION POINTERS Profiling postharv. [...] Fresh vegetables at the market MIT IGAT ING FOOD LOSSES IN BEN IN : S t a t u s a n d Wa y F o r w a r d f o r P o s t h a r v e s t R e s e a r c h a n d I n n o v a t i o n s 5 Access to extension services was found to be an important factor for adoption of PH technologies in Benin. [...] We acknowledge the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology ( ) and the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), whose institutional and Analytical Review and Synthesis”.