By Daniel Mason-D'Croz (IFPRI)
Achieving food security sustainably is a major challenge that will require continued efforts on increasing agricultural productivity. However, some of the gains in increased productivity may not be realized due to post-harvest losses (losses experienced between the field and the consumer).
Estimates on the magnitude of post-harvest losses range greatly depending on the method, yet are significant, ranging from 10–30 percent or greater in many cases. Many technologies already exist that could help reduce these losses, including improvements in storage, and investments in transportation technologies. However, encouraging adoption of these technologies is not costless. To assess some of the potential global benefits of decreasing post-harvest losses as well as the benefit-cost of these investments, IFPRI contributed to the Post 2015 Consensus an assessment paper [1] with a global analysis and a white paper [2] focused on India [http://www.copenhagenconsensus.com/post-2015-consensus]. The Post 2015 Consensus is a program led by the Copenhagen Consensus to identify the best targets for the post-2015 development agenda.
Key findings are that poor infrastructure is a barrier to reducing post-harvest losses, and that investments in general infrastructure (roads, electrification, ports, etc.) could not only increase available food, and thereby reduce food prices and improve food security, but also allow for greater realization of future investments in agricultural productivity.
To read the global study you can download the full paper for free from the Copenhagen Consensus website at: http://www.copenhagenconsensus.com/publication/post-2015-consensus-food-security-and-nutrition-assessment-rosegrant-et-al. To read the white paper on India and watch Lead Author Mark Rosegrant discuss the implications of investing in infrastructure and agricultural productivity in India please check out the India Perspective also on the Copenhagen Consensus: http://www.copenhagenconsensus.com/publication/india-perspective-food-security
References
[1] Rosegrant, M.W., E. Magalhaes, R.A. Valmonte-Santos, and D. Mason-D’Croz, D. (2014). "Returns to Investment in Reducing Postharvest Food Losses and Increasing Agricultural Productivity Growth". Food Security and Nutrition Assessment Paper. Copenhagen Consensus Center.
[2] Rosegrant, M.W., E. Magalhaes, R.A. Valmonte-Santos, and D. Mason-D’Croz, D. (2015). "India Perspectives: Food Security". Post-2015 Development Agenda White Paper Report. Copenhagen Consensus Center.
