BongoAgro: a mobile solution for postharvest loss reduction fruits and vegetables

Abstract

The fruits and vegetables sector of Bangladesh suffers postharvest losses estimated at 25-40% of production, the economic and nutrition consequences of which are huge. Such losses are promoted by inefficient cold storage, poor transportation, handling, and access to market information. To overcome these challenges, BongoAgro was developed in the form of a mobile application with mapped digital tools that small holder farmers could have integrated use. With the help of the app, the real-time update is available on the market price, weather forecast, cold chain management support, and expert advisory services are within reach of fishers in a Bengali language-friendly interface. This research was conducted as a mixed-methods study, utilizing a literature review, stakeholder interviews, and a potential pilot field trial in select districts to evaluate the implementation/ease of use, and utility of the application. The findings have shown that an informed decision and efficient postharvest management could help BongoAgro mitigate the spoilage by 20% and increase the farmer’s income by 10-15%. This paper shows how mobile-based interventions can be used to enhance the agricultural supply chain and improve the lifestyle of people living in developing economies.