Scalable Post-Farmgate Innovations in Food Systems: A Scoping Review for Low- and Middle-Income Countries

The post-farmgate agri-food value chain is highly vulnerable to socioeconomic and climate-related shocks and stressors, which significantly affect food system outcomes. Innovative solutions are needed to strengthen resilience, reduce losses, and improve the quality and safety of food. This review identifies and synthesizes promising post-farmgate innovations in food processing, packaging, and storage that have the potential to be scaled in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). A literature review of the Web of Science, PubMed, and ScienceDirect databases, supplemented by the Google Scholar and Google search tools, was performed by following the PRISMA-ScR guidance. A total of 82 studies reporting on 79 post-farmgate innovations were included. The identified innovations cluster around 5 domains: Cold chain solutions, solar drying technologies, agri-food business models, hermetic storage systems, and innovative food preservation and packaging solutions. While the food system outcomes of individual innovations vary, these patterns demonstrate potential to reduce food loss and waste, enhance shelf life, and promote sustainable healthy diets in LMICs. The review highlights factors that support and impede the adoption of post-farmgate innovations in LMICs and identifies critical gaps in evidence and practice. Addressing these gaps will be essential for scaling innovations that enhance the healthiness, equity, resilience, and sustainability of food systems.