Wageningen Centre for Development Innovation (WCDI) organizes the international course “Lost harvest and wasted food – Managing the crop supply chain for increased food security” in Wageningen from September 17 to 28, 2018. 

Feeding the world in 2050? Estimates indicate that 30-40% of the food produced globally is lost postharvest
or wasted because it is never consumed. Without these losses sufficient food is produced to feed the world population, even when it reaches 9 billion people. Science fiction? Maybe but not completely. In this course we will look at ways to minimise losses, reduce food waste and explore alternative uses. Ultimately this should  contribute to food security.

Managing the crop supply chain for increased food security

Stark contrasts exist in how we manage the food we have available. While in developing and transition countries food losses mainly happen post-harvest, in the urban and wealthier communities good food is wasted in retail stages of the supply chain and by consumers. Strategies to minimize food losses and waste along the chain can contribute to food security and sustainable food production.

International course Lost harvest and wasted food

In the course, WCDI will look at ways to minimise losses, reduce food waste and explore alternative uses. Ultimately, reduction of losses contributes to food security.

During the course the crop supply chain will be critically analysed and sustainable alternatives designed with special attention to harvest practices, storage, spoilage and food waste management. The role and responsibilities of the various stakeholders will be addressed.

The training approach is interactive: a mixture of lectures, discussions, group work and field trips with the aim to expose the participants, as far as possible, to all aspects of post-harvest and waste management. Meeting course colleagues from other countries, but with similar interests, leads to exchange of experiences and mutual learning. Participants’ case studies are the basis of the group work.

Course objectives

Upon completion of the course participants will:

• Understand the link between primary production, post-harvest management, the supply chain and food security;
• Be familiar with alternative uses of food waste;
• Have insight into the public and private responsibilities in the supply chain for post-harvest handling and food waste management;
• Be able to design solutions for minimising the amount of ‘missing food’, from smallholders to multinational retailers.

Target audience

The basic prerequisite for participation in the course is active interest and professional experience in the field. Participants should be proficient in English, and have at least a BSc degree or an equivalent academic qualification.

More information

For practical information, to download the factsheet and to register online, please visit the WCDI website.