value chain development

1. Food Loss and Waste
Value Chain Selection
Guide & Toolkit
Stage 4. Data
Collection
DATE

2. Agenda
● Introductions & overview of process to date
● OPTIONAL: Overview of Food Loss & Waste (FLW) Lens
● Field Data Collection Process Outline
○ Secondary data: value chain overview
○ Field observations: seasonality calendar, photo story outline
○ Field measurements: load tracking (quantitative), quality
assessments
○ Focus group discussions: value chain map
○ Semi-structured surveys: FLW value chain map and calculations
for scale
○ Analysis: Validation Workshop Presentation

3. Address Sustainability (environmental - land, water, labor and energy
resources; social - nutrition, inclusion; economic - incomes, profitability)
Guide Discovery and Assessment of FLW in VCs - listen and
learn now to better respond to constituents in the future
1
2
3 Investment Decision Making Tool - if want to reduce FLW, where
can investment(s) can have the greatest impact

4. Insert the following here:
● FLW objective
● Criteria selected
● Top ranked value chains and which ones have been identified for data
collection (OPTIONAL: can use following slide)

5. Field Data Collection Process
Field
Observations
Load Tracking /
Field Measurements
Value Chain
Photo Story
Measured Losses
(quantity, quality)
Focus Group
Discussions
Value Chain Map
Semi-Structured
Interviews
Estimated Losses;
Value Chain Map;
Updated Matrix

6. Photo Story Example
Palm Nuts for Palm Oil
in Cameroon
Field
Observations
Value Chain
Photo Story

7. 9

8. 10

9. 11

10. 12

11. 13

12. Identifying
Losses Along
the Value Chain
● Example: Rice in Nigeria
Activity: for each value chain
selected for research, list the steps
required in the process
● Use existing knowledge of VC
● Use secondary research
Load Tracking /
Field Measurements
Measured Losses
(quantity, quality)

13. Identifying Losses Along the Value Chain
Rice in Nigeria

14. Value Chain Map from Producer to Consumer
Eggplant in Ghana
Focus Group
Discussions
Value Chain Map

15. Tomato Losses From Farm to Market in Rwanda

16. Case Study: Fresh Tomatoes Domestic Value Chain Map
Tomato Farms
Sorting & Grading
(10%)
Pack House
Sorting & Grading
(18.75%)
Supermarket
(7% rejected)
Sell Locally
(1.25% goes
bad)
Landfill
Green
Manure
Farm = 24 T/acre Pack House
FLW: Farm 2.4 T + Packhouse 4.5 T + Local Vendor 0.3 T + Supermarket 1.7 T + Consumer 4.5 T = 13.4 T
Total produce reaching consumer
73% = 17.5 T
Loss = 56% (13.4 T)
Retail
Consumer
(18.75% wasted)

17. Field Data Collection Process
Field
Observations
Load Tracking /
Field Measurements
Value Chain
Photo Story
Measured Losses
(quantity, quality)
Focus Group
Discussions
Value Chain Map
Semi-Structured
Interviews
Estimated Losses;
Value Chain Map;
Updated Matrix

18. Field Data Collection Process Outline
[1] Klara Strecker, Verena Bitzer, Froukje Kruijssen. Critical stages for post‐harvest losses and nutrition outcomes in the value chains of bush beans and nightshade in Uganda
(2021). Food Security. https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s12571-021-01244-x.pdf
Based on the Informal FAO Fish Loss Assessment Method
Diei-Ouadi Y., & Mgawe Y. I. (2011). Post-harvest fish loss assessment in small-scale fisheries. Food and Agriculture Organization of The United Nations. FAO Fisheries and
aquaculture technical paper. Rome, Italy: FAO. https://www.fao.org/3/i2241e/i2241e.pdf
Activity Output Tasks Resources
Stage: Prioritizing Value Chains Matrix Working Session
Review
Secondary
Data
Priority ranked
value chains,
identified gaps
in existing data
1. Collect statistics of promising value chains identified
2. Literature review – identify common PHL hotspots, their
underlying reasons and effects
3. Highlight data green, yellow or red based on confidence
FLW assessments,
postharvest assessments,
value chain studies,
national statistics, etc.
● The following outlines data collection with a rigor that could be published in a peer-reviewed journal
[1]
● Some steps can occur at the same time (e.g. field observations, field measurements)
● Field observations are a basic requirement, but depending on resources (i.e. human, time,
financial, value chain actor availability, etc.) the other activities are optional for value chain
prioritization

19. Field Data Collection Process Outline
Activity Output Tasks Resources
Stage: Field Data Collection - Planning
Plan field
data
collection
Data
collection
instruments
1. Review FLW value chain selection guide data collection
templates
- Seasonal calendar + photo story
- Load tracking (quantity) and quality assessments
- Focus group discussions
- Semi-structured interviews
2. Based on resources (i.e. human, time, financial, value chain
actor availability, etc.), create a data collection plan
3. Based on selected priority criteria, adapt data collection
tools (field assessment protocol, focus group discussion
questions, surveys, etc.)
FLW assessments,
postharvest assessments,
value chain studies,
national statistics,
government websites, etc.

20. Activity Output Tasks Scale
Stage: Field Data Collection with farmers, traders, agribusinesses, other VC actor innovators, government, other key stakeholders
1. Field
Observations
VC photo
story
- Photograph value chain from harvest to consumption
- Checklist to evaluate quality (good or poor): hygiene; storage facilities and practices; measures
taken to protect crops from rain, sun, and other contaminators; handling equipment and methods;
general market dynamics and practices; food preparation; loss reduction measures
~4 farms to
market for
quality
check
2. Field
Measurements
/ Load
Tracking
Measured
losses
- Use a common kitchen scale for smaller amounts and a suitcase scale for heavier loads, weight
crops at every stage of value chain from the beginning (at harvest), to the end (at consumer-level),
including transportation
- Quality assessment (where possible, randomly sample 20 units)
- If possible, follow the same agricultural product from harvest to consumers’ tables, assessing
quantity and quality along the way
~4 farms to
market
3. Focus
Group
Discussions
Value
chain map
with key
issues
- Select up to 12 participants/group, by social group/geographic/etc.
- Participants individually write down harvest/postharvest challenges and share with the group,
discussing the reasons losses occur during harvest, transport, cleaning, drying, sorting, packaging,
storage and food preparation. At that time or later, findings can be mapped onto a value chain flow
diagram.
3 groups
(men,
women,
mixed
youth)
4. Semi-
Structured
Interviews
Detailed
value
chain
map;
updated
matrix
- Identify interviewee categories based on prioritization criteria (Ex: farmers, traders, farmer-
traders, restaurant owners (as consumers))
- Farmers and traders can also interviewed on their food preparation practices
- Method options: pre-identified, snowball sampling
- Update flow diagrams to illustrate interconnections between the stages, including: types and
levels of losses, affected stakeholders, value chain stages and loss hotspots
20 - 30
surveys
per VC
5+ surveys
per actor
group

21. Activity Output Tasks Example Estimated
Time per rep
# of
reps
Stage: Field Data Collection
1. Field
Observations
VC photo
story
- Photograph value chain from harvest to consumption
- Checklist to evaluate quality (good or poor)
~4 farms to market
for quality check
2. Field
Measurements
Measured
quantity and
quality losses
- Weight product at every stage of VC from harvest to the
consumer, including transportation
- Quality assessment (randomly sample 20 units)
~4 farms to market
3. Focus
Group
Discussions
Value chain
map with key
issues
- Select up to 12 participants/group, by social
group/geographic/etc.
- Focus group discussion and activity
3 groups
4. Semi-
Structured
Interviews
Detailed
value chain
map
- Interview key VC actors based on prioritization criteria
- Method options: pre-identified, snowball sampling
- Update diagrams to illustrate interconnections between
the stages, including: types and levels of losses, affected
stakeholders, value chain stages and loss hotspots
20 - 30 surveys per
VC
5+ surveys per actor
group
5. Data
Analysis
Validation
Workshop
presentation
- Analyze data and update priority matrix to highlight key findings
- Compile information collected into a short report/presentation
Total time estimated to evaluate each value chain: # of value chains collect field
data for:

22. Data Management Tool

23. Food Loss Data Management Tool

24. Secondary Data
- Value Chain Overview -

25. OVERVIEW OUTLINE (Product) Value Chain
High level data highlighting the importance of the selected
● Quantity and value of national and/or regional production by year.
● Total area harvested.
● Volumes and values of specific cultivars/varieties/types.
● Quantity and value of the agricultural product imported and exported.
● Relative importance of the product in national development plans.
● Ongoing or planned projects or plans which will affect the production and
marketing of this agricultural product.

26. Export Data
1. Identify specific cultivars or breeds to be exported
2. Identify demand characteristics for a specific product
in each potential market
– country of destination
– characteristics of the product desired by the
importing country (size, weight, color, flavor,
texture, maturity, type of package, weight of
package, etc.)
– quarantine restrictions
– religious, cultural and price preferences
– present sources of supply and competitors to each
market
– tariff and non-tariff trade restrictions
– transportation problems to importing countries
– potential labor (off loading) problems of importing
country and other constraints
– reliability of importer/brokerage services
3. Characteristics of supply of the product:
– availability of product over time
– volume of actual and potential exports
– ability to meet the demand requirements
(quantity, quality, price, product
characteristics, transportation)
– pest, disease and food safety constraints
– postharvest handling constraints
– infrastructure constraints
– ability to compete favorably with other
countries
– other constraints
As production for exports increases, so does competition between countries for the same markets. The exporting
country must be able to compete favorably (i.e. quantity, quality, price, and continuity of supply) and have comparative
and competitive advantages in the production and marketing of a product in the end market.
OPTIONAL: if exporting is a priority

27. Example of a Seasonality Calendar
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/271102818_Climate_Change_Risk_and_Vulnerability_Mapping_and_Profiling_at_Local_Level_Using_the_Househo
ld_Economy_Approach_HEA/download

28. Seasonality Calendar
Update the following table for your circumstances
J F M A M J J A S O N D
Season
Key
Agricultural
Activities
Planting
Harvesting
Storage
Hazards Flooding
Drought
Prices Drop

29. Field Observations
- Value Chain Photo Story -

30. EXERCISE: From Harvest to Consumption/Disposal
EXAMPLE: Green Beans for Export Market in Kenya
● Harvested into small bags
● Added to 25 kg bag
● Walked to sorting room
● Sorted
● Good product is put in plastic crates and left in
shade
○ Rejected product given to harvesters
○ Excess rejected produce fed to cattle
● Exporter sends truck to pick up produce
● Produce arries to packhouse in morning
● Quality assurance randomly samples product
and produces a report
● Good produce goes to cold storage
○ Rejected produce is left unrefrigerated
○ Transferred to truck
○ Transported back to farm
○ Farmer composts
● After 24 hours, checked for quality again
● Set out for workers to sort and trim
○ Rejects/Trimmings go into bins
○ Bins thrown in dumpster
● Product packaged in plastic
● Packaged product put in shipping boxes
● Stored in cold room
● Transferred to refrigerated truck
● Truck drives to airport
● Product transferred to airplane
Write down every step of the product’s movement from harvest to the consumer (discarded).
Based on prioritization criteria can collect: How much is lost at each step? What costs are incurred for
each activity? Who does the work (i.e. men, women, youth, etc.)? How much do they get paid?

31. Field Measurements
- Load Tracking -
- Quality Assessments -

32. Identifying
Losses Along
the Value Chain
● Example: Rice in Nigeria
Activity: for each value chain
selected for research, list the steps
required in the process
● Use existing knowledge of VC
● Use secondary research

33. Identifying Losses Along the Value Chain
Rice in Nigeria

34. Field Measurements / Load Tracking
● Weigh product at every stage of value chain from harvest to consumer
level
○ Use a kitchen scale, suitcase scale or other scale
● Quality assessment
○ Process
■ Randomly select 20 samples and weigh the batch (if
possible)
■ Sort 20 samples based on quality
● High quality
● Some defects but still marketable
● Severe defects, not marketable
■ Count and weigh each group
■ Write down reasons for defects and photograph
○ Stage
■ After harvested
■ After sorting
■ After arrives to packhouse and/or market

35. Focus Group Discussions
- Value Chain Map -

36. Value Chain Map from Producer to Consumer
Eggplant in Ghana

37. Tomato Losses From Farm to Market in Rwanda

38. Focus Group Discussions
Preparation
- Determine number of groups and their characteristics (i.e. gender, age, geography, farm size,
etc.)
- Select up to 12 participants per group
- On a large paper, draw a generic value chain map based on field observations
Focus Group Discussion Process
- Have participants individually write down their harvest and postharvest challenges
- Ask participants how much they estimate they lose at each stage, add this to the map
- As participants share their challenges with the group, add these details to the map
- Then, for each stage of the value chain have participants discuss why losses occur
- Ask questions related to the prioritization criteria - to inform scoring of the criteria and
understand the baseline perception of key value chain actors

39. Generic Value Chain Map
Harvest Transport
Cleaning/
Drying
Sorting Packaging Storage
Food
Preparation

40. Semi-Structured Interviews
- Value Chain Map -

41. Semi-Structured Interviews
- Identify interviewee categories based on prioritization criteria:
FOOD LOSS
- Farmers
- Traders
- Packhouses
- Processors
FOOD WASTE
- Market Vendors
- Consumers
- Restaurant Owners
- Interview 20 - 30 actors for each value chain (5+ surveys per actor category)
- Based on focus group discussions and prioritization criteria guiding questions, develop surveys

42. Waste Data Management Tool

43. Analysis
- Validation Workshop
Presentation -

44. Field Data Analysis
❏ Update Prioritization Matrix (OPTIONAL: slides comparing prioritization criteria)
❏ Calculate losses - quantitative and qualitative
❏ Compare responses to different prioritization criteria guiding questions and adjust
matrix scorings accordingly
❏ Did the rankings change? If yes, what were the main factors that influenced the
order? In the final report, explain how updates changed scores, which can inform
future value chain assessments and selection processes
❏ Update the value chain loss diagrams to show connections between the stages,
including:
❏ Types and levels of losses
❏ Affected stakeholders
❏ Loss hotspots