Abstract
Agriculture, which is the linchpin of most West African economies, absorbs the bulk of rural labour and contributes a significant portion to national GDP. The problem is that, for West Africa, especially, the agricultural network is highly fragmented, with few roads, limited storage capacity, and significant post-harvest losses (some estimates range from 30% to 50% of perishable crops) (FAO, 2019; World Bank, 2021). Being marginalised in production, smallholder farmers often lack access to modern technologies due to challenges in finance, infrastructure, and knowledge (IFAD, 2020). This paper aims to explore the potential of low-tech innovations in enhancing a stronger agricultural supply chain in West Africa. It focuses on how these approaches shrink the distance between producers and markets, ultimately making them more sustainable, and how they build resilience into the region’s agricultural systems. With practical contextual examples, the study aims to ensure that low-tech solutions are part of the pathway of agricultural transformation when resources are scarce.
Keywords: Low-Tech Innovation, Agricultural Supply Chains, Post-Harvest Losses, Food Security, Value Chain Development, Smallholder Farmers
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