Policy, governance, and regulatory frameworks for sustainable postharvest management in Ethiopia: pathways to food security and reduced losses

Postharvest losses are a major barrier to food security in Ethiopia, where smallholder farmers produce over 90% of crops. This study critically reviews and synthesizes evidence on policy, governance, and regulatory frameworks for sustainable postharvest management in Ethiopia, identifying challenges and opportunities to reduce losses and enhance food security. A systematic literature review (SLR) was employed, integrating qualitative and quantitative analyses. Data were collected from peer-reviewed journals, government reports, policy documents, and institutional studies. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) framework guided the review process, with thematic analysis applied to qualitative findings and descriptive synthesis used for quantitative data, including estimates of postharvest losses. Findings revealed that Ethiopia experiences postharvest losses of 15%–50% depending on crop type, driven by financial constraints, technical knowledge gaps, weak institutional coordination, limited regulatory enforcement, infrastructure deficits, socio-economic disparities, and climate-related vulnerabilities. Policies and programs such as the National Postharvest Management Strategy, Agricultural Growth Program, and Food Safety Proclamation provide important frameworks but remain fragmented, under-enforced, and insufficiently integrated into national food security strategies. Opportunities include expanding public-private partnerships, promoting innovative financing mechanisms, and enhancing regulatory and institutional capacities. In conclusion, reducing postharvest losses in Ethiopia requires coherent policy integration, improved governance, capacity building, stronger regulatory enforcement, and climate-smart, technology-driven interventions. Recommended actions include strengthening inter-ministerial coordination, improving access to finance and storage technologies, fostering stakeholder engagement, and establishing robust monitoring and evaluation systems to support adaptive management and advance national food security and Sustainable Development Goals.