Few studies examine post-harvest fish losses using a gender lens or collect sex-disaggregated data. This mixed-methods study assessed fish losses experienced by female and male value chain actors in a fishery in western Zambia to determine who experiences losses, why, and to what extent. Results indicate that participation in the fishery value chain is gendered and most losses occur during post-harvest activities. Discussions with fishers, processors, and traders suggest the value chain is more fluid than often depicted, with people making calculated decisions to sell fresh or dried fish depending on certain conditions, and mostly driven by the need to avoid losses and attain higher prices. The study shows that gender norms shape the rewards and risks offered by the value chain. This could be the reason why a greater proportion of women than men experienced physical losses in our study sample. Female processors lost three times the mass of their fish consignments compared to male processors. Technical constraints (lack of processing technologies) and social constraints (norms and beliefs) create gender gaps in post-harvest losses. Addressing unequal gender relations in value chains, whilst also promoting the use of loss-reducing technologies, could increase fish supply and food security in small-scale fisheries.
The study was conducted in three districts of Western Province of Zambia namely; Mongu, Nalolo and Senanga that lie along the Zambezi River in the Barotse Floodplain. The study employed two main data tools aimed at understanding the extent of post-harvest losses in the fishing, processing and trading nodes in the fish value chain study sites. The tools were the Exploratory Fish Loss Assessment Method (EFLAM) study and a Quantitative Loss Assessment Method (QLAM) survey. The study found that physical fish losses occur at three nodes in the value chain and differ significantly (P < 0.05) between the nodes. On average, the processors lose the largest volume of fish (7.42%) followed by the fish traders (2.9%). The fishers experience the least physical losses at 2% although, this is not significantly different (P > 0.05) from the fish lost at trading node. The major cause of physical loss was found to be breakages at processing and trading nodes. There is need to introduce improved processing technologies that can reduce breakages. Furthermore, economic and nutrient losses should also be profiled to fully understand the total losses that occur within the Barotse Floodplain fish value chain.
Food loss and waste (FLW) in fisheries is a major concern and occur in most fish distribution chains throughout the world. FLW across the fish value chain is estimated to be 35 percent. These losses constitute lost income to fishers, processors and traders and other value chain actors and contribute to food and nutrition insecurity. Thus, it is globally recognized as a challenge that needs to be addressed. There has been much work done to address and prevent losses in fisheries value chains. However, a key issue is related to the availability and quality of information. Information needed to guide policy development and management of the resources is of poor quality and often not produced or distributed in a timely manner. The 32nd Session of the Committee on Fisheries (COFI), July 2016 reiterated the topical importance of reducing fish losses and made a plea for the development by Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) for a guidance for reduction of fish losses. FAO, through the Products, Trade and Marketing Branch (FIAM), supported by the Norwegian government had developed an information repository that can provide solutions for reducing or eliminating food losses for common loss scenarios in fish value chains. It provides access to fish loss and waste related information for informed policy in the fisheries and aquaculture from the post-harvest to consumption stages. It aims to provide guidance to policy-makers, development practitioners, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and value chain actors ability to facilitate the development of solutions to food loss scenarios on the ground at the targeted points of the supply chain, as well as at policy level. The development of the repository was guided by an internal FAO specialist group covering food loss, policy, fisheries and ICT and an expert group of specialists coming from the public sector, civil society and research institutions with representation of a range of geographical regions. A series of internal and external consultations were done before the webpage was launched on May 2019.
Aquatic foods, particularly fish, are recognized as a unique source of essential fatty acids, micronutrients and protein many diets lack, especially in poor and vulnerable communities. Tilapia (Oreochromis sp.) fillets typically represent 30%-33% of the fish, leaving around 70% of the fish unused for human consumption. These nutrient-rich by-products can be converted into food and other products with medical, pharmaceutical and packaging applications. Heads and backbones of processed tilapias, and undersized tilapia can be used in the development or fortification of food products such as fish cakes, sausages and bread. Tilapia skin can be processed into leather for clothing and leather artefacts. Gelatin from fish skin can be developed into edible films and coating while collagen from fish scales and bones has good application in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical fields. The viscera can be converted into biodiesel or silage and hydrolysates, which are good sources of peptides and enzymes. To ensure 100% utilization, any remaining parts of the fish not used for food, can be transformed into products for animal consumption or for fertilizer. Thus, the conversion of by-products from tilapia processing into value-added products can contribute to improve human nutrition and better livelihood opportunities. However, adopting new technologies in value addition will require additional operational costs for acquiring new equipment and skills, a proven market demand for the products and an enabling policy environment.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.