However, one of the significant limiting productivity factors in this strategic sector is post-harvest losses (PHLs). The country experiences on average up to 17.6% in annual postharvest losses (PHLs), which reach a high of 45%. In two of the vital food groups consumed in the country – grains and root crops – the country faces about 10-15% and 20-25% of PHLs respectively for each food group, and the key driver is inadequate value addition. For example, over 80% of Cassava farmers dry their products by traditional drying methods such as open sun drying. However, these drying practices produce a varying quality of dried products, including long drying times that may result in discoloration, inadequate drying that results in yeast, mold, and aflatoxin attacks, which render the cassava unusable for humans industrial use.

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