Addressing post harvest losses in West Africa

In a recent interview on CNBC Africa, the Chief Executive Officer of Never Idle Farms and Consulting, William Lanier, discussed the pressing issue of reducing post-harvest losses in West Africa. Lanier emphasized the necessity of implementing synergistic inputs, storage, and handling mechanisms to combat the challenges of rot and degradation on farmlands in the region. According to Lanier, relying solely on input credit facilities is not sufficient, and agricultural ministers must focus on creating spaces for small and local mobile storage options to empower surplus growers. These initiatives, he believes, will put farmers in the driver's seat and help minimize losses. Post-harvest losses continue to plague the agricultural sector in West Africa, leading to wastage of resources, environmental degradation, and economic strain. Lanier's insights shed light on the urgency of revamping existing strategies to address these critical issues in the region. As countries grapple with the impact of climate change and unpredictable weather patterns, the need for innovative solutions in agricultural storage and management becomes increasingly apparent. By promoting policies that are sensitive to the nutritional needs of farmers and prioritizing the creation of mobile storage solutions, stakeholders can work towards a more sustainable and resilient agricultural sector in West Africa.