University) is GASGA (Group for Assistance to Storage 

 of Grains in Africa) . FAO and the United Nations 

 University are seeking to expand their work on 

 postharvest losses. AID is searching for productive 

 new initiatives and has commissioned a preliminary 

 fact-finding study by the National Research Council. 



Proposed Initiatives 



A more effective mechanism is needed for involving 

 the above U.S. and non-U. S. institutions more deeply in 

 cooperative, action-oriented programs relating to 

 postharvest food losses. In addition to expanding its 

 own activities, we recommend that the United states 

 propose and support establishment of an appropriate 

 coordination mechanism charged with encouraging greater 

 mutual support among the expanding worldwide 

 activities. An international coordinating council 

 could be responsible for meshing national and 

 international efforts to reduce and prevent postharvest 

 food losses, building on and consolidating the current 

 partial efforts of coordination. 



The council, aided by a small central staff but 

 depending largely on implementation by member 

 organizations, could support or foster the following 

 types of activities and possibly others: 



— Developing loss assessment methodologies for such 

 nongrain commodities as roots, tubers, fruits, 

 vegetables, and fish, including field testing and 

 publication of these methodologies and guidelines 

 for policy planners and project planners on cost- 

 effective means for reducing food losses. 



— Developing and maintaining an international 

 inventory of resources and expertise to assist in 

 programs to reduce postharvest losses. 

 Establishing suitable training programs. Examples 

 might include regional programs in developing 

 countries to train the personnel critically needed 

 to conduct loss assessment surveys and to implement 

 intervention schemes, or short courses and 

 apprenticeship programs for nondegree professionals 

 in such technical subjects as grain fumigation or 

 construction of storage structures. Placement 

 services for students in this field might also be 

 useful. Coordination with the Peace Corps and 

 nongovernmental programs in grain storage would be 

 highly desirable. 



— Helping governments survey and assess losses and 

 fostering research that would explain why food 

 losses occur in areas where food is so badly 

 needed; studying the role of women in postharvest 



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