Greater family benefits through support in post harvest loss reduction

By

Matilda Quist

Fisheries Commission, Ghana

Outline

• Importance of the Ghanaian fishery Sector

• The family structure and its involvement in post-harvest operations

• Results of these family-based activities

• Challenges in tapping into existing opportunities

• Sustaining these small scale business

• Conclusion

IMPORTANCE OF THE FISHERIES • The Fisheries in Ghana contributes 1.4% of the GDP and 6.4% to Agric. GDP (GSS,

2014).

• Fish is cheap source of animal protein. It provides 60% of the national animal protein need of Ghanaians. Per capital consumption is estimated to be about 20kg per annum (2012).

• Artisanal fisheries contributes 64% of the total catch (2013)

• 13,000 artisanal marine canoes (140,000 fishers) and about 27,000 canoes (71,000 fishers) for the Inland

• Provides employment for 10% of the population through fishing enterprises, processing and ancillary businesses such as boat building, input trade etc.

• Provides foreign exchange earnings in terms of exports US$209,246,963 in 2012

THE FAMILY STRUCTURE AND INVOLVEMENT IN POST-HARVEST OPERATIONS

• General distribution of tasks in small scale fisheries

• Men usually involved in fishing

• Some women involved indirectly through financing these fishing operations

(Mostly fuel and food, outboard motor, canoes)

• Some women are directly involved in fishing (collection of shell fish, had

picking of fish, use of traps, fishing)

• Women generally handle the fish after it is landed

• Activities after landing include: fresh fish sale (through fish preservation), fish

processing, packaging (mostly men), storage, distribution (including men)

Family-Based Operations

Fresh Fish (Husband)

Smoking Drying Salting others

Fresh Fish (Wife)

Smal

l sca

le u

nit i

s m

ade

up o

f any

of t

he

follo

win

g: D

ad, S

on, m

um, d

augh

ter,

fam

ily

rela

tions

, hel

pers

etc

.

Markets, consumption

Transfer of knowledgeMum Processor (1st Generation)

Daughter/Close female relation Processor (2nd Gen.)

Helpers Apprentices Processor

Daughter/Close female relation (Processor (3rd Gen)

Helpers Apprentices Processor

Daughter/Close female relation (Processor (Nth Gen)

Dad Fisher (1st Generation)

Dad Fisher

(2nd Generation)

Employees Apprentices

Dad Fisher

(3nd Generation)

Employees

Apprentices

Dad Fisher

(Nth Generation)

Results of these family based activities

• They make important contributions to value addition and provision of very important services

• Contribute to fish food and nutrition security of the population (Per capita consumption in Ghana (24.3kg) surpasses the world average of 19kg)

• Food source for these families [fish and bartered agriculture products]

• Fish income is a significant contributor to family livelihoods (e.g child care and household needs)

Challenges to tapping into existing opportunities• With growing demand for healthy and nutritious food (fish and fishery

products)• Small scale fisheries and aquaculture can contribute further to fill the supply

gap (projection in 2030 is 7 million for Africa)• And maximize benefits from the operations

• But requires that the efficiency of the post-harvest systems be strengthened • High postharvest losses constitute the stumbling block• Capture small-scale fisheries most affected

• These losses weaken the competitiveness and are serious threat to livelihoods • They impact the 4 dimensions (availability, access, stability of supply, utilization)

of food security, as well as the sustainability of natural resources

Challenges to tapping into existing opportunities• Design of most fishing crafts prevents on board preservation of fish with ice, among

others.

• Handling time

• Adequacy of landing sites

• Availability of potable water

• Financial limitations

• Sole burden of household chores and child care by women prevents them from assessing

quality raw material and also distracts them during processing activities

• Inadequate fish processing, storage and retailing facilities

Sustaining these small scale business• Reduction of post-harvest losses should be of high priority• All impediments to better commercialization to be lifted• Volta Basin study has been commissioned by NEPAD-FAO Fish programme to

identify hotspots and raise the evidence information to assist Ghana, private investors and donor partners in making rationale use of development resources • Achieved through an integrated approach to assessing losses on the Tilapia

value chain • Capacity development

• Improving status of infrastructure • Conducive facilities and services for women’s empowerment [ex; the Child care

facilities would help reduce some of the priority losses identified]

• Improved technologies for better quality and value added products generation

• Setting an enabling environment/a supportive policy

Improved Technology

Conclusions

• Reduction of post Harvest loss is crucial because of dwindling catches.

• Government should be proactive to address these challenges.

• A need to mainstream systematic integrated surveys along the value chain

• Fisheries officials must bring this to the attention of government and policy makers

THANK YOU