Farmers in Bangladesh face significant post-harvest losses, particularly in onion production, with an estimated waste of 30% from 35 lakh tonnes annually, resulting in a shortfall of 600,000 to 700,000 tonnes. One farmer reported losing 200 maunds of onions, costing over Tk 6 lakh due to inadequate storage and damage during harvest. The food ministry’s 2021 study highlighted that paddy losses range from 23% to 28%, with 14.02% occurring at the farmers’ level. Losses in horticultural crops vary widely, including mangoes at 31.7% and potatoes at 21.8%. The country’s food imports amounted to $8.25 billion in 2022-23, with onion imports from India alone costing $180 million. Food wastage at the household level averages 82 kg annually per household, significantly higher than in some neighboring countries. The UN estimates that global food waste generates 8-10% of greenhouse gas emissions. Despite some initiatives to improve storage, agricultural economists call for a comprehensive national strategy to tackle food loss and promote agro-processing to meet market demands. Small and medium enterprises could enhance processing capacity but face challenges in accessing bank loans and ensuring food safety.
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