Postharvest losses termed key contributor to food insecurity

Experts highlight need for bio-controls, infrastructure upgrades, and policy reforms to combat losses

KARACHI: Speakers at a workshop organised by Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS) discussed the key contributors to food insecurity in the country, and called for placing bio-controls, infrastructure upgrades, and policy reforms, among other steps, to overcome postharvest losses.  

The two-day moot was organised by the DUHS School of Public Health (SPH) as part of an ongoing project on “Postharvest Losses: Key Contributor to Food Insecurity & Possible Interventions”, with the support of Higher Education Commission of Pakistan (HECP). The purpose of the project is to provide an insight into the agriculturists, growers, policy makers, researchers and students about fungi and other pesticides in postharvest losses, and to discuss policies to minimise these postharvest losses, said a DUHS press release.

Speaking as guest of honour, Prof M Tariq Farman, Head of Cardiology Department, Dow International Medical College, noted that postharvest losses should be dealt with very carefully as these are responsible for food insecurity and economic loss. “As the country’s population is increasing day by day, there is need to make sure that the food produce should remain safe and provided to consumers in the same condition with the same nutritional value as at the time of harvest.”

Dr Habiba Shah, Principal Investigator and Assistant Professor at the SPH, shared with the participants that Pakistan experiences a significant postharvest loss of 25–50% in fruits and vegetables, contributing to the growing issue of food insecurity.

She noted that traditional methods to prevent these losses often rely on chemical pesticides, which not only diminish the nutritional value of crops but also harm soil health. “Despite being an agricultural country with a strong production capacity in fruits and vegetables, Pakistan’s output remains at risk due to these postharvest challenges.”

Dr Shah emphasised the potential of bio-controls as an effective solution, saying they not only help reduce losses but also offer safer alternatives for both human health and the environment.

Dr Kashif Shafique, one of the event organisers, stressed the emergent need to tackle postharvest losses, especially in light of the rapidly growing global population and the rising challenge of food insecurity. Sharing a compelling research insight, he said If everyone on Earth consumed resources at the current average rate, the planet’s resources would be depleted in just 50 years—or 0.00005 billion years. “In contrast, adopting a more sustainable lifestyle could allow Earth’s resources to last for thousands of years.”

In his presentation titled “Postharvest Losses and Agricultural Policy Reforms: Challenges and Opportunities,” Ghulam Mustufa Nangraj discussed both federal and provincial governments’ policies related to major crops, like wheat, rice, cotton, sugarcane, and maize. As per him, inefficiencies in the policies have contributed to low crop yields and significant yield gaps.

Despite being an agricultural nation, Pakistan remains heavily dependent on imports, he said, pointing out that a major contributor to postharvest losses was inadequate infrastructure and poor handling practices. “Pakistan loses an estimated 15–20% of its cereals after harvest.”

He highlighted that regionally, Punjab experiences a 20–30% loss in wheat and over 40% in fruits and vegetables; Sindh faces a 30–45% loss in perishables; Khyber Pakhtunkhwa loses about 35% of peaches and tomatoes; and Balochistan sees over 40% fruit losses, primarily due to poor storage conditions.

Referring to regional disparities in infrastructure, Nangraj said Punjab has relatively moderate facilities; Sindh’s markets are largely concentrated in Karachi; Khyber Pakhtunkhwa suffers from weak logistics; and Balochistan lacks adequate support services, including road connectivity, storage facilities, and agricultural extension systems.

Dr Muhammad Abdul Haq, Chairman Department of Food Science and Technology, University of Karachi; a PhD scholar Sumara Shaheen from the KU Food Department and Dr Afshan Rehman from KU’s Botany Department discussed essential components of post-harvest practices. They emphasised minimising post-harvest losses through best practices, infrastructure improvements, and farmer education. 

Report and photos courtesy: Social Track, Karachi (June 27, 2025)