Want to know how farmers can decrease waste, save money, and help create a more sustainable food system? By managing food waste and using it productively on the farm, an expert tells Food For Mzansi.
This week’s episode features Ikechukwu Opara, a post-harvest technology management expert who is vastly experienced in post-harvest audit and analysis, and sustainability.
Opara holds a PGDip and MPhil degree in sustainable development planning and management from Stellenbosch University and is currently a PhD candidate at the same institution. His research interest is in food security and sustainability, with a particular focus on post-harvest losses and waste along food value chains.
According to Opara, assessing food waste, and understanding how much trash is produced and where it comes from is the first step in minimising it. To find the sources of waste and potential areas for improvement, farmers might have to undertake a waste audit he shares in this episode.
Why you need a food-waste policy
In a step-by-step format, Opera also breaks down how farmers can implement a waste policy on their farms. Here is a brief synopsis of some of the steps.
Assessment: It’s crucial to evaluate the current condition of the farm before developing a programme to reduce waste. This entails determining the locations, types, and quantities of trash that are created, including waste. Audits and collaboration with farmworkers and stakeholders can be used to collect this data.
Planning: A strategy for reducing food waste can be devised based on the assessment. This strategy may involve measures like cutting back on overproduction, increasing inventory control, composting, and giving away extra food to nearby charities or food banks.
Overall, implementing a food-waste policy on a farm requires careful planning, Opara explains.
In this episode, Opara also discusses:
- Waste-to-energy technology such as valorisation;
- Proactive steps farmers can take, and more.
Want to know more? Listen to the full episode of Farmer’s Inside Track.
Option 1: Click here to listen on Spotify (all mobile and other devices).
Option 2: Click here to listen on any Apple device.
Option 3: Click here to listen on Google Podcast.
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