What type of questions does the methodology help respond?
What could be the root causes of FLW in my supply chain?
Which intervention options can address these root causes?
Users go to the webpage of the tool and follow the steps that are described. First, the user identifies the relevant product category, and supply chain link. Then, using the menu on the right side of the screen, the user identifies relevant FLW cause categories. From each of the identified FLW cause categories, the user identifies more specific causes for FLW. Then, a tree will be visualised showing the selected causes and related root causes of FLW. The user identifies one root cause, and finds appropriate intervention options for the root cause.
This tool can be applied when the user has identified the product supply chain (e.g. vegetables) and supply chain link (e.g. retailer) of interest where FLW occurs, or the so-called ‘FLW hotspot’. Ideally the user has an idea of the causes of FLW in the identified product supply chain and supply chain link. The tool is part of the EFFICIENT protocol but can be used standalone with the prerequired knowledge about the FLW hotspot.
Links to publications Case example Case context
As part of a project implemented in Bangladesh, three value chain analyses took place using The FLW Cause & Intervention tool as part of the EFFICIENT protocol. The aim of these analyses was to develop a strategic action agenda to reduce and mitigate FLW within three key commodities (onion, beef and mango) for the four city corporations in Dhaka. Insights generated with The FLW Cause & Intervention tool for the beef value chain are provided here. Further case details and other case descriptions can be found here .
FLW hotspot
Using the EFFICIENT protocol, the FLW hotspot was identified to be at the wholesaler in the beef value chain. The key issue was spoilage of meat.
FLW causes and root causes
A main cause of FLW of beef at the wholesaler that led to the spoilage of meat was incomplete handling. Other causes included high temperatures, contamination with dirt and bacteria, bad quality meat, and a lack of customers. The below screenshot from the tool shows the cause of ‘incomplete handling’ (in orange) and the underlying root causes (in blue), namely untrained and unavailable labour, which is due to the cost price of labour. More case details can be read in Roadmap approach for improving food value chain efficiencies (wur.nl)
FLW intervention options
When double clicking on the root cause ‘no money available’, the following intervention options are presented on the next page:
The tool does not serve as a fixed starting or ending point for identifying the causes of food loss and waste (FLW) and potential intervention options; rather, it must be adapted to specific cases and contexts. The selected intervention options in this case were 1) to create (financial) incentives and opportunities to invest in better slaughtering facilities; 2) trainings in handling and hygiene; 3) implementing quality standards in the supply chain, and 4) implementing quality price incentives.
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