An investigation into African Indigenous Post Harvest Food Management Systems for Root Crops, with Special Reference to Cassava in Miponda Community (Zambia)

Abstract

This was an investigation into African Indigenous Post Harvest Food Management Systems for Root Crops, with specific reference to Cassava in Miponda Community (Zambia). The study argued that low food production, accompanied by the fact that a large proportion of food produced by local farmers never reach home or the market has resulted to severe food shortage and hunger. The study found that in Zambia, particularly in the Miponda community of the Luapula Province, farmers had over the years developed rich indigenous post harvest management systems for cassava to reduce post harvest losses. These indigenous post harvest management systems for cassava included technologies for harvesting, transportation, processing, drying and storage. The application of indigenous knowledge enabled farmers to ensure increased cassava supply for household food security and income. However, the study found that in spite of this rich knowledge, the farmers still experienced cassava losses in all the post harvest stages. It is on the basis of this that the study recommended existing indigenous post harvest systems for cassava to be interfaced with modern technologies to reduce post harvest losses. Other recommendations include the formation of farmers' cooperatives, strengthening of extension services by the government, and conducting training workshops and seminars on indigenous post harvest management systems to educate extension officers and other stakeholders on the efficacy of African indigenous post harvest food management systems for food security.