Despite global efforts to create more sustainable and resilient food systems, post-harvest food loss—especially in lower-income regions—remains a major obstacle. In Sub-Saharan Africa, this loss isn’t just about poor storage or transportation; it’s a symptom of deeper structural challenges tied to global trade, poverty and inequality.
Moses Kansanga—a human-environment geographer, assistant professor at the George Washington University, and affiliate faculty member at the Global Food Institute—has spent years studying how these dynamics play out on the ground in rural farming communities. His research weaves together issues of agricultural development, environmental sustainability, and local knowledge—offering a grounded, systems-level view of food loss and hope for solutions.
In this conversation, Kansanga explains why we need to rethink how we tackle postharvest losses, the role of gender equity, and what he’s learned from the farmers at the center of this story.