Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Thesis Format

Integrated Article

Degree

Master of Arts

Program

Geography and Environment

Supervisor

Luginaah, I.

Abstract

Food insecurity is a significant challenge in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), where there is insufficient food to meet the needs of the growing population. Despite substantial efforts to combat this issue, food loss has emerged as a major barrier to achieving the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2 in Ghana. The Techiman market, one of the primary food hubs serving Ghana and other SSA countries, faces concerns about food loss and waste, especially given the increasing focus on food security in the region. Emerging literature indicates that most of these post-harvest losses occur at the source (the farm). This study draws data from a cross-sectional survey (n=543) conducted at Techiman Market to examine the causes and prevalence of food loss and waste among traders. First, the study examined the drivers and gendered livelihood impacts of food loss in Techiman market and consisted of focus group discussions (n=25) and in-depth interviews (n=10) with women traders in the market. Results from this study revealed that some of the main causes of food loss in the market were inadequate storage infrastructure, poor packaging, improper handling, and infestations by pests and rodents. These interconnected factors contributed to reduced incomes for women traders, negatively impacting their ability to provide for their households and diminishing their decision-making autonomy within their families.

Secondly, the study examined the determinants of fruit and vegetable loss among traders in Techiman market. Fruits (mango 10.13%, pineapple 7%) and vegetables (tomatoes 14.36% and green pepper 16.02%). The regression results indicated that fruits and vegetables were more frequently lost than non-perishable produce like grains and legumes. The findings showed that food supply frequency (OR=1.617; p ≤0.05) and packaging type (OR=1.454; p ≤0.05) were significantly associated with food loss in Techiman market. The findings also highlight the need for training programs for traders to help reduce food loss and waste in the market, ultimately safeguarding their livelihoods. Furthermore, government interventions, such as the construction of advanced storage facilities and cold rooms in various markets, should be implemented to ensure produce is stored under optimal conditions. The findings from this study reinforce the importance for Ghana to ensure food quality, safety, and security in order to achieve SDG goal 2.

Summary for Lay Audience

Recently, the issue of food insecurity has garnered significant attention on a global scale, primarily due to a combination of factors that pose threats to the stability, availability, and accessibility of food resources across the world. As such to help eradicate all forms of hunger and malnutrition, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) goal 2 aims to eradicate all forms of hunger and malnutrition by the year 2030, by striving to ensure that every individual has access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and support their overall well-being. Despite efforts to address this issue, approximately 1.3 billion tons of food are lost or wasted each year, highlighting a significant challenge in the global food system. In regions like sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) where food security remains a constant struggle, a significant portion of the food produced is lost throughout the various stages of the food supply chain. In Ghana, approximately one-third of all food produced is lost or wasted. Given the critical importance of addressing food security challenges and their profound impact on people's livelihoods, it is imperative to address post-harvest losses. Ghana grapples with significant levels of food loss and waste and is particularly noticeable in places like the Techiman market, popularly known as Ghana's ‘breadbasket’ despite its reputation as a key hub for food distribution and commerce. Majority of the food produce is not consumed and ends up being discarded due to factors such as rot and decay. As a result, the Ghanaian government has set a target to halve food losses from 20% to 10% as part of its commitment to fostering a sustainable food future and enhancing food security nationwide. This initiative reflects the government's recognition of the urgency to minimize wastage along the food supply chain and optimize resource utilization to meet the nutritional needs of its population. It is important to create a more resilient and equitable food system that can withstand future challenges while ensuring the availability of nutritious food at all times. Therefore, this thesis examined the drivers and gendered livelihood impacts of food loss; and also, the determinants of fruit and vegetable loss among traders in Techiman market.

Overall, the findings from this study suggest that food loss directly impacts the livelihoods of traders in significant ways and emphasize on the important role of mitigating food loss for economic stability and food security. The findings further reveal that, there is a frequent occurrence of food loss among fruits and vegetables and suggests that, for instance, the provision of cold storage rooms can help reduce loss and waste by creating controlled temperature environments conducive to preserving perishable produce. Additionally, transforming raw produce into finished goods such as drying, canning, or freezing, can help prevent spoilage and decay and maintain the quality of produce over an extended period. The study also suggests that policies and initiatives to reduce food loss should not be target on only traders but also on consumers as well.

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