An estimated 60 per cent of yam produced in the country is lost to post-harvest losses, Onua FM has gathered.

This has made it difficult for farmers involved in the cultivation of the crop to escape poverty.

Speaking on Onua Business News on Monday, July 25, the General Secretary of the General Agriculture Workers Union (GAWU), Edward Karewe, called for research support in finding a solution to the problem.

He said the situation has an impact on the value chain, which could lead to food insecurity in the country.

Mr Karewe pointed out that the situation is more worrying for the three northern regions, where yam is produced on a large scale.

Post-harvest losses in Ghana have been a major concern to farmers as about 20 to 65 per cent of fruits, vegetables, roots and tubers and about 20 to 30 per cent of cereals and legumes are lost annually.

The situation has been blamed on the lack of agro-processing facilities. This experts say prevents investors from venturing into manufacturing in the face of unfavorable production factors such us unreliable power supply and high cost of capital.

Mr. Karewe says Ghana can better address the challenges if authorities take interest in reducing post-harvest losses.

Source: 3news.com|Ghana

Twitter: @3Newsgh