“Our strategy is to form partnerships with local and international organisations”
In an exclusive interview, Victor Nono, CEO of AS Food International, discusses the organisation’s efforts to reduce post-harvest losses in Africa. He highlights innovative solutions to support small-scale farmers and improve food security.
How can post-harvest losses be reduced in Africa to improve the living conditions of small-scale farmers and ensure sustainable food security?
Post-harvest losses in Africa can be significantly reduced by implementing small-scale food processing solutions in rural areas that minimise the time between harvest and processing. At AS Food International, we believe that bringing modular, mobile processing units directly to the fields during peak production seasons can drastically cut down on losses, which often reach 30% to 80% in some regions. These units allow for the immediate transformation of fresh produce into microbiologically stable products, extending their shelf life. This approach not only enhances food security but also improves the livelihoods of small-scale farmers by increasing the marketability and profitability of their crops.
What kinds of innovative solutions are AS Food and its partners developing to reduce post-harvest losses, and how are these solutions adapted to the local realities of African farmers?
AS Food International, in partnership with A-COOP and Dream Valley, is developing a comprehensive and integrated approach to reducing post-harvest losses by integrating several innovative solutions tailored to the realities of African farmers.
A-COOP contributes by digitalising the supply chain and enhancing cooperative governance. Their digital tools help to track production, optimise logistics, and ensure transparency within cooperatives, making the entire process more efficient and reducing losses due to mismanagement or delays.
Dream Valley complements these efforts with its ecological technology for eradicating fruit flies, a major cause of post-harvest losses. By using a non-spray, environmentally friendly method, they significantly reduce crop damage, ensuring more quality products reach the market. Additionally, Dream Valley’s established connections with premium markets open up lucrative opportunities for farmers to sell fresh, high-quality fruit, further increasing their income and reducing waste.
Together, these synergistic solutions create a robust ecosystem that addresses multiple challenges simultaneously—processing, governance, pest control, and market access—leading to substantial reductions in post-harvest losses and greater economic security for small-scale farmers.
How can partnerships between AS Food, Non-Governmental Organisation (NGOs), and the private sector contribute to improving storage and transport infrastructures for small-scale farmers in Africa?
Partnerships between AS Food, NGOs, and the private sector are crucial in addressing the infrastructural challenges that small-scale farmers face. By leveraging the expertise and resources of various stakeholders, we can collectively enhance storage and transport systems. For example, our collaboration with A-COOP involves implementing digital management tools that streamline logistics and improve storage practices. Our NGO partner Incub’Ivoir plays a pivotal role in mobilising communities and providing the necessary training to optimise these systems. Additionally, private sector involvement ensures the scalability and sustainability of these improvements, enabling a more efficient value chain that benefits all stakeholders.
What strategies is AS Food implementing to train and sensitise small-scale African farmers to modern post-harvest management and sustainable agriculture techniques?
Our strategy is to form partnerships with local and international organisations that complement our core activities, allowing us to address a broader range of needs. Through these collaborations, we deliver hands-on training in modern post-harvest management and sustainable agricultural practices. This training covers eco-friendly pest control methods, efficient processing techniques, and the integration of digital tools for farm management.
We also organise farmers into cooperatives, ensuring that knowledge is effectively shared and that best practices are adopted throughout the community. These initiatives are designed to boost productivity, reduce post-harvest losses, and enhance the economic stability of farming households, ultimately contributing to more sustainable and prosperous rural communities.
Why is it crucial for development aid specialists in Africa to rethink traditional financing mechanisms, and how can they support more effective initiatives like those proposed by AS Food and its partners?
Traditional financing mechanisms often overlook the unique challenges faced by small-scale farmers and entrepreneurs in Africa. To be truly effective, development aid specialists need to adopt more flexible and inclusive financing models that can support innovative solutions at the village or smallholder level.
Unfortunately, most development funds in and for Africa focus on projects with budgets exceeding €1 million, while many local innovations that could reduce post-harvest losses require as little as €5,000. When questioned, fund managers often respond that analysing and funding a €100,000 project takes as much time and resources as a €10 million one. This approach neglects the smaller-scale, high-impact solutions that could make a real difference.
In my view, too much of the money allocated to Africa’s development go to pay civil servants and various intermediaries, as well as missions and seminars. Only a small proportion, if any, reaches those who need it most. Despite decades of development aid, few rural farmers have become middle-class. As someone once said, “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.”
To break this cycle, we need to explore new approaches, such as leveraging digital platforms and blockchain technology to reduce overhead costs and direct funds more efficiently to small farmers and entrepreneurs who are making a difference on the ground. A digitalised monitoring system could track results and facilitate continuous improvement. While this is just one idea, I believe that if we challenge ourselves to find innovative solutions, we can create more effective and impactful financing models that truly empower Africa’s rural communities.
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