Malawi | Improving Household
Income Through Post-Harvest Loss
Management
Challenge
In the Karonga district of Northern Malawi, the women and youth of the Mpata
Farmers Group had long relied on tomato production for their livelihoods. However,
they struggled with low income and household poverty, largely due to staggering
post-harvest losses that wiped out a significant portion of their produce.
Tomato farming in Malawi was not only widespread but also held significant promise
for profitability. Nevertheless, for the Mpata group, much of this promise withered
away, as nearly 40% of their harvested tomatoes were lost before reaching the
market.
Upon conducting a root cause analysis, several critical challenges were brought to
light. Chief among these were poor handling and storage practices, which
contributed significantly to the spoilage. Additionally, the group faced difficulties due
to limited access to reliable markets, compounded by severe fluctuations in prices.
Their reliance on traditional markets further restricted their opportunities, offering little
to no scope for value addition. Moreover, the absence of adequate preservation
facilities meant that extending the shelf life of this highly perishable crop was nearly
impossible.