Assessing the economic impacts of post-harvest fisheries losses in Malawi

Torell, Elin; Jamu, Daniel; Kanyerere, G. Z.; Chiwaula, Levison; Nagoli, Joseph; Kambewa, Patrick; Brooks, A.; Freeman, Peter H.

doi:10.1016/j.wdp.2020.100224

Cited by 23 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…A small number of studies evaluate the extent and causes of loss and waste in dried fish value chains in countries including India, Zambia, Nigeria and Malawi (e.g. Eyo, 1999; Kefi et al, 2017; Sharma et al, 2016; Torell et al, 2020). King (2003) offers an unusual assessment of artisanal containers used for transportation of smoke‐dried fish in Nigeria, in relation to loss and waste.…”

Section: Qualitative Findingsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dried fish at the intersection of food science, economy, and culture: A global survey

et al. 2022

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Dried fish-here defined broadly as aquatic animals preserved using simple techniques, such as sun-drying, salting, fermentation, and smoking that permit storage as foods at ambient temperature for extended periods without specialized packaginghave received little direct attention in fisheries research. This lack of visibility belies their historical and contemporary importance. Prior to the introduction of refrigeration, dried fish were the main form in which fisheries catches were traded and consumed. Dried fish products remain a core component of production, trade, diets, and cuisines across the world, particularly in the Global South. The dried fish sector provides employment for millions of people, particularly women, who comprise most of the fish-drying workforce in many locations. However, the sector also confronts and creates significant challenges including food safety concerns and exploitative labour conditions. This paper is the first systematic assessment of the global literature on dried fish, comprised of a sample of >1100 references. In contrast to the general fisheries literature, which is dominated by studies of ecology and governance and focusses mainly on primary production, the dried fish literature is dominated by studies from food science and concentrates on the processing segment of fish value chains.As such, it offers valuable reference point for fisheries research, which is becoming increasingly attentive to food systems. This paper uncovers a wealth of insights buried in this largely unheralded literature, and identifies key thematic intersections, gaps and research questions that remain to be addressed in the study of dried fish.

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Section: Qualitative Findingsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dried fish at the intersection of food science, economy, and culture: A global survey

et al. 2022

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“…technology to reduce fish waste and loss) were reported with inequalities between locations. These challenges demonstrate the untapped potential and opportunities of the sector to enhance supply, such as through reductions in waste and loss (Kakwasha et al 2020 ; Torell et al 2020 ) with improved transport and preservation technology; highlighting the importance of examining internal factors and the challenges and opportunities across value-chains (Darling 2014 ; Béné et al 2016 ). The third challenge perceived by fishers related to policies, institutions and processes in terms of governance of fisheries and access to resources, where closed fishing seasons and gear restrictions were perceived to negatively impact upon livelihoods (Béné et al 2016 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A photovoice assessment for illuminating the role of inland fisheries to livelihoods and the local challenges experienced through the lens of fishers in a climate-driven lake of Malawi

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Kolding

et al. 2021

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Small-scale inland capture fisheries provide an important source of nutritious food, employment and income to millions of people in developing countries, particularly in rural environments where limited alternatives exist. However, the sector is one of most under-valued fisheries sectors and is increasingly experiencing environmental change. This study adopts a Sustainable Livelihoods Approach and investigates how important a fluctuating inland fishery is to livelihoods, and how local perceptions on challenges corresponds to global evidence. Through an innovative participatory method; photovoice, the lived experiences and perceptions of fishers are depicted. The findings illuminate the valuable role of the sector to food and nutrition security and the complex nexus with vulnerability to climate change. The study responds to the call for more local level assessments of the impacts of climate change on inland fisheries in data-limited environments, and the value of the sector in underpinning the Sustainable Development Goals.

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“…The IFLAM framework helps to develop a qualitative understanding of losses and provides indicative quantitative data on losses (Diei-Ouadi & Mgawe, 2011). Different studies have used the framework (Kruijssen et al, 2020), showing that IFLAM generates data that describes the types, causes, timing, impacts, and trends of post-harvest losses, as well as the stakeholders affected by these losses and their perceptions of the impacts (Torell et al, 2020). Loss assessment is based on a participatory approach, focusing on the Women, unless at restaurants (both men and women) Women, unless at restaurants (both men and women)…”

Section: Measurement Toolsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Critical stages for post-harvest losses and nutrition outcomes in the value chains of bush beans and nightshade in Uganda

2022

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The reduction of post-harvest losses (PHLs) has been identified as a key pathway to food and nutrition security in sub-Saharan Africa. However, despite policy prioritisation, knowledge about the severity of PHLs remains scant, especially when it comes to nutrient-dense crops such as African nightshade and bush beans. Therefore, this paper identifies loss hotspots, causes and effects throughout the value chains of nightshade and bush beans in eastern Uganda. Primary data collected following the Informal Food Loss Assessment Method, combined with small-scale load tracking and secondary data, allows for an analysis of physical, economic, quality, and nutritional losses throughout the value chains of both crops. Results show that in the bush bean value chain, severe physical and quality losses occur during post-harvest handling by farmers, leading to high economic losses at this stage of the chain. Nutritional losses are not expected to be significant in the bush bean value chain. By contrast, due to the shortness of the nightshade value chain, where produce is moved from harvest to consumption within one or two days, physical losses in most parts of the chain are relatively minor. Only at consumption stage, high physical losses occur. This is also the stage where economic losses and potential nutritional losses are most pronounced. The results of this study offer a deeper understanding of the value chain dynamics of bush beans and nightshade, including underlying gender relations, and identify concrete loss hotspots, upon which further research and practical interventions can build.

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Assessing the economic impacts of post-harvest fisheries losses in Malawi

Cited by 23 publications

References 13 publications

Dried fish at the intersection of food science, economy, and culture: A global survey

Dried fish at the intersection of food science, economy, and culture: A global survey

A photovoice assessment for illuminating the role of inland fisheries to livelihoods and the local challenges experienced through the lens of fishers in a climate-driven lake of Malawi

Critical stages for post-harvest losses and nutrition outcomes in the value chains of bush beans and nightshade in Uganda

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