By Faridat Salifu
Young Africans are stepping forward with fresh ideas to address one of the continent’s toughest challenges: post-harvest losses and food waste.
Across the continent, farmers lose as much as 40 per cent of their harvests due to poor storage, limited preservation facilities, and weak links to markets, according to agriculture experts.
In Uganda, youth innovators participating in the AYuTE Africa Challenge are developing practical solutions to keep food fresher for longer and ensure farmers earn better incomes.
Some of the projects showcased include low-cost solar dryers that allow vegetables and fruits to be preserved for months, grain monitoring devices that warn of spoilage, and mobile platforms that link farmers directly with buyers before produce goes bad.
Organisers of the initiative said the drive reflects how young entrepreneurs are rethinking agriculture by blending technology with local needs.
Observers at the event argued that governments and investors often overlook such youth-led ideas, yet they hold potential to transform food systems and reduce dependence on expensive imports.
Several farmers who tested the prototypes said the tools could cut losses, improve food quality, and even open new business opportunities in rural communities.
Advocates stressed that with the right funding and policy support, innovations created by Africa’s youth could play a central role in reducing hunger, fighting poverty, and securing the continent’s food future.
