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  • Essay / We should find ways to prevent food waste

    Research has proven that all over the world, food is wasted and lost in various ways. There are different causes of food waste in industrialized and developing countries. Reports from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations estimate that at least 1.3 billion tonnes of food are lost and wasted worldwide. Food waste and loss in developing countries mainly occurs during production. For developed countries, consumers are responsible for most of the waste. In industrialized countries, food losses and waste are generally due to rejection by retailers. Retailers primarily rate foods based on their color, size, freshness, and even knottyness, among other factors. This means that most retailers are wasting perfectly good food. Unlike what happens in developing countries, where the main causes are pests, diseases, inadequate transport and poor storage. Developing countries have great potential for food production. Vast lands are left bare and crops rot on farms due to lack of necessary infrastructure. On the other hand, the richest countries have easy access to everything necessary for even surplus food production. Pesticides, improved seeds, dryers, controlled granaries and refrigerated trucks are some of the factors that ensure low food waste on farms. In industrialized countries, they are easily accessible to farmers compared to developing countries. This is due to the low cost of the necessary machines and products and well-structured infrastructure. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay Farmers in developing countries have a major problem when it comes to market access. Lack of market access is a major cause of food loss and waste. Indeed, when the products are ready to be harvested or sold, some farmers do not have long-term preservation means. Developing countries tend to leave farmers to take full responsibility for production, conservation and marketing until a product reaches the consumer. When farmers harvest their food, they cannot find ready markets for their produce. They have to wait or find a place themselves. Some end up selling products in bulk, leading to waste when goods start to perish. Poor storage capacity is the leading cause of loss of perishable goods. Storage is also a major concern after harvest. Farmers need granaries and refrigerated warehouses to preserve produce to reduce waste. Transportation and infrastructure such as roads and bridges to access rural areas where production is higher are also vital. Goods must be transported from rural areas to urban areas where there is little or no production and the market is large and ready. In semi-arid areas, soil conservation and drip irrigation are some of the ways used to increase food production. They are necessary due to unpredictable weather conditions, such as lack of rain and excessive heat that can sometimes be observed. These techniques must be supplemented byothers so that agricultural results are not wasted. Farmers lose much of their food due to the lack of storage facilities and markets to sell their surpluses. Poor governance and biased policies can be the result of a lack of markets and infrastructure, ultimately leading to food losses. In developing countries, most governments are corrupt, leading to uneven development. Policymakers often develop certain regions for political reasons without considering other factors. Most food production areas are neglected and lack major infrastructure. Some areas remain unused even if agriculture is possible. The government of a country has the responsibility to ensure that, wherever possible, food production and marketing are prioritized and improved. Relevant ministries such as agriculture, transport, finance and technology must educate and facilitate the reduction of food losses. Farmers must learn how to preserve food to avoid waste and acquire appropriate agricultural skills to avoid losses. Transport systems must also be made easier and accessible to speed up the arrival of products to markets. Farmers also need to get financial support from the government. Low-interest loans and government incentives can benefit farmers. They will be able to have access to conservation machines, drought-resistant seeds and pesticides. Technology is also an important aspect in food preservation. Therefore, there is a need to come up with more affordable and better conservation technology techniques that would make the process easy and accessible to the majority. In places where electricity and machinery are a problem, it is necessary to find constructive means of conservation. Food preservation is the second important factor in food production in the world. Storage difficulties lead to significant food losses in low-income countries. Most consumers do not produce or grow food. Therefore, for food to reach them from farmers, it must be preserved. In developing countries, food preservation is a challenge due to lack of appropriate infrastructure and knowledge. Various simple and less expensive techniques can be used to preserve food and prevent loss. Drying agricultural products is an effective and inexpensive means of preservation. Farmers can spread their produce in the open air, where the sun can reduce their humidity levels. This is a process commonly used by cereal producers. Boiling products is another technique. Cassava leaves, once boiled, can remain for more than three months without deteriorating. Milk boiled to a certain extent can stay fresh longer. Salting is also a useful way to preserve food products. Salting is commonly used in meat preservation; it drains water from the meat keeping it fresh. Farmers can bury their food in the ground as a method of preservation. When food is buried in the light and there is a lack of oxygen, the cool temperatures and pH of the soil can ensure that produce stays around longer. Food preservation is of great importance to ensure that losses and waste are reduced. In developed countries, consumers constitute the majority of.