On 6 November 2024, FAO launched a new project in Lusaka, Zambia, aimed at transforming city region food systems through reducing food loss and waste (FLW) across food production systems and supply chains. As part of the FAO City Region Food Systems (CRFS) Programme, active since 2014, the project will focus on strengthening rural-urban linkages to build sustainable, resilient food systems in two city regions: Lusaka and Medellin, Colombia. Both cities participated in earlier phases of the CRFS Programme and will now develop tailored strategies to cut food loss and waste in vegetable value chains, which are crucial for urban food security and local economies. 

Tackling a global food challenge at the local level 

With approximately 30 percent of food produced for human consumption lost or wasted each year, food loss and waste particularly impact communities where access to nutritious food is already limited.Cem Özdemir, Federal Minister of Food and Agriculture, Germany (BMEL), emphasized the importance of addressing this global issue: “Avoiding food loss and waste is an important factor for reducing hunger in the world.” 

Suze Percy Filippini, FAO Representative in Zambia, highlighted that food loss, especially at the farm level, is particularly concerning for perishable, nutrient-dense crops like vegetables, which are key components of a healthy diet. In many urban areas, many of these losses occur before food even reaches consumers, mainly due to inadequate harvesting practices, lack of proper storage, and insufficient distribution infrastructure. “Addressing these losses requires improved practices, advanced technologies, and stronger connections between producers and consumers”, she said. 

Recent research by FAO revealed that small-scale farmers in the Lusaka city region play a critical role in meeting local food demand, with around 60 percent of the city’s food supply produced within the region and smallholder farmers accounting for 80 percent of that production. However, an estimated 35 percent of locally produced food is lost before it reaches consumers, largely due to deficiencies in technology, logistics, and knowledge ofbest practices at production and post-harvest stages. Similar challenges persist in the Medellin city region, experiencing around 25 percent losses in certain commodities, such as onions, before they even reach the market. 

A new project with targeted action 

Building on previous programme phases, this new initiative will implement the CRFS approach to optimize vegetable production systems and supply chains, reduce FLW, and promote circular economy practices. By focusing on short-cycle vegetable crops that are nutrient-rich, economically viable, and well-suited for urban and peri-urban agriculture, FAO aims to improve food security, nutrition, and economic resilience in the Lusaka and Medellin city regions. 

Some of the project’s key actions include: 

• Capacity building: Training smallholder farmers, cooperatives, and other supply chain actors in sustainable FLW reduction practices, incorporating advanced harvesting, production, and post-harvest technologies. 

• Strengthening value chains: Stabilizing value chains to maintain fair prices, consistent production, and better market access, even during peak seasons, helping protect farmers’ incomes and ensure consumer access to affordable produce. 

• Creating decent jobs: Promoting FLW reduction strategies, including recovery, recycling, and reuse, to generate employment and new economic opportunities. 

• Raising global awareness and building strategic partnerships: Developing local and international partnerships to scale FLW reduction practices, share best practices, and raise global awareness about sustainable food systems.
  

A holistic approach to food security and sustainability 

FAO’s CRFS Programme has already engaged eleven city regions worldwide. This new project in Lusaka and Medellin demonstrates the potential of localized efforts to drive meaningful changes in the global fight against food loss and waste. By prioritizing vegetable value chains, the project will not only support small-scale farmers and improve food security, but also reduce the environmental impact associated with excessive food production and waste. 

CRFS Programme Coordinator, Guido Santini, emphasized the significance of the project: “By tackling food loss and waste at the local level, we aim, together with our partners, to empower smallholder farmers with the tools and knowledge needed to deliver fresh, affordable produce to their communities” 

Filippini underlined that ”FAO is committed to the success of this initiative working to create resilient, sustainable and inclusive food systems in Lusaka and Medellin.”