Post-harvest Loss Management Initiative in Senegal : Using Bio-pesticides for Sustainability and Food Security

In Senegal, post-harvest losses of cereals and legumes remain high due to various factors, including infestation by insects and contamination by mycotoxins. The excessive use of chemical pesticides constitutes a primary strategy for combating these pests, leading to the presence of residues in both animal- and plant-derived foods, as well as in the environment as pollutants. Consequently, there is a growing interest in transitioning towards sustainable agricultural practices, such as employing active biomolecules, notably essential oils with larvicidal, insecticidal, and/or antifungal properties. This resurgence aims to overcome structural challenges associated with post-harvest losses and promote a more competitive, health-conscious, and environmentally-friendly agriculture.
The reinforcement of prior research developed over the past few years in Senegal into the production of essential oils from various plants (Lippia alba (Mill.), Mentha arvensis L., Citrus sinensis L...) is now directed towards assessing their insecticidal and antifungal properties. This shift seeks to diversify crop protection technologies applied during the storage of cereals and legumes.
The collaborative research initiative involving the Institute of Food Technology (ITA) in Dakar (Senegal), Gaston Berger University in Saint-Louis (Senegal), and the University of Liège, within the framework of the PRD 2022-2027 program, aims to explore the potential applications of essential oils in managing post-harvest losses during storage. This collaborative effort also encompasses the assessment of local farmers' acceptability of biopesticides in Senegal and explores sustainable solutions for the environment.