Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Horticulture

We are the Postharvest Innovation Hub, a modern laboratory and a hub for postharvest research at the Department of Crop Science, University of Ghana. Our mission? To provide innovative solutions that reduce postharvest losses. These innovations improve livelihoods and promote sustainable agriculture. Through the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Horticulture project, "Enhancing the Production and Consumption of African Indigenous Fruits and Vegetables to Improve Nutrition in Ghana and Mali", we have made significant progress in boosting the production and consumption of African Indigenous Fruits and Vegetables (#AIFVs). By prioritizing research, collaboration, training, and value addition, we are transforming agriculture- turning challenges into opportunities. Together with farmers and other value chain actors, we are reducing postharvest losses; one innovation at a time. #PostharvestSolutions #Innovation #SustainableAgriculture #AIFVs

What a fantastic group of speakers! If you missed CGIAR Independent Advisory and Evaluation Service (IAES) ISDC’s Science Forum on inclusive innovation, videos will be online in January. Stay tuned! Many thanks to Erin McGuire, Marc Schut, Chun S., Dr Nompumelelo Obokoh (Pr.Sci.Nat.), Patrick CARON, Mofa Islam & Holger Meinke #ISDCForum24

In the last 2 weeks of November, the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Horticulture program team went on a tour of visits to the Lab's East Africa Regional Hub programs. From Uganda to Kenya, the team, represented by Lydia Maranga (program officer) and Michel Kabirigi (post-doctoral researcher), joined Peninah Yumbya, PhD (East Africa Regional Hub manager) to visit the various project sites and teams. Throughout their visits and training activities, they also sat down for discussions with the Principal Investigators (PI) on the projects' progress, potential challenges, impacts on the target beneficiaries, and future opportunities for enhancing Kenya's horticulture sector. 🔗 Read the full story of the team's tour here: https://lnkd.in/dkSvBAV4 📸 Check out photos from the team's full tour experience: https://lnkd.in/dRWxt4zU

This morning, we were privileged to host Katheryn Gregerson and Kristen Becker from the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Horticulture. The discussions centered on assessing emerging impacts and lessons from the Horticulture Innovation Lab-funded projects in strengthening East Africa’s horticulture sector. The team also explored ways to deepen the partnership between ICED and the Horticulture Innovation Lab to continue investing in smallholder farmers while driving evidence-based policies for inclusive socio-economic development in the region. #FeedtheFuture #EndHunger David Sarfo Ameyaw | Peninah Yumbya, PhD | Simon Gicheha, PhD (Agricultural Economics) | Emma Nyamai

In Uganda's West Nile region, Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Horticulture, East Africa Regional Hub hosted at International Centre for Evaluation and Development (ICED),  is driving transformative change through a ground-breaking horticulture development initiative that empowers small-scale women farmers to enhance their nutrition, incomes, and livelihoods. Led by Prof Robert Kajobe (PhD, MSc, MPA, BSc) from Muni University and funded by the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Horticulture, this project exemplifies ICED's leadership in strengthening locally-led research to influence evidence-based policy for a resilient horticulture sector and food security across Africa. Recently, alongside a team from the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Horticulture, represented by Lydiah Maranga and Kabirigi Michel, we witnessed the incredible impact of this project. Partnering with Omia Agribusiness Development Group Ltd and the Arua District Local Government Nutrition Unit, the project uses innovative, community-driven approaches to train farmers in cultivating diverse crops like tomatoes, onions, cabbages, okra, cowpeas, watermelon, and eggplant. Demonstration centers established across five districts in West Nile region empower farmers with practical knowledge, enabling them to replicate techniques on their own farms. This has resulted in increased yields, improved nutrition, and higher incomes, showcasing the powerful impact of this initiative in advancing sustainable agriculture and livelihoods in the region. #FeedtheFuture #EndHunger #WomenEmpowerment

🌟 Exciting news from Niger! 🌟 In a region where agriculture often relies on a few crops, the importance of diversification cannot be overstated. To address this, the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Horticulture has initiated a new 16-month project aimed at strengthening the horticulture value chains in Niger. With collaborative partnerships and funding from University of California, Davis-based Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Horticulture as part of the U.S. Government's global hunger and food security initiative, this project is being implemented in Gaya (Dosso) and Birni N’Konni (Tahoua) to sustainably enhance horticultural productivity. 🌱 🌍Key Objectives 🌱Capacity Building: Strengthening farmers' cooperatives, researchers, and extension agents with tailored training and resources. 🌱Postharvest Management: Improving preservation techniques to reduce spoilage and enhance product quality through affordable, low-cost technologies. 🌱Seed Systems: Promoting innovative conservation techniques and ensuring continuous support for adoption. 🌱Gender and Youth Inclusion: Empowering women and youth by providing access to knowledge, technology, and financial resources. 🌱Market Linkages: Strengthening connections across value chain actors, from farmers to wholesalers, for better market performance. 📅 Recent Activities Last week, the team engaged with local horticulture experts in Niger through exchanges and presentations to gain insights and refine project objectives on the first day. Representatives from the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Horticulture, including Associate Director Archie Jarman, experts from the University of Ghana (Naalamle Amissah, PhD, Freda E. Asem, Ph.D and Jude Dokbila Kolog), and Global Predict team members (Adama Ouedrogo, Aristide Bako and GARBA BOULAMINE Mounkaila), engaged with local horticulture stakeholders in Niger. Insights into the horticulture value chain were shared by key organizations such as FCMN, RECA, INRAN and UAM through presentations. The session also included a presentation of the project objectives by the Horticulture Innovation Lab, gathering feedback to refine its implementation strategy. The day fostered meaningful connections among farming cooperatives, small input suppliers and other stakeholders. On the second day, two impactful training sessions were also held: 🌱Post-Harvest Drying Techniques: Leveraging tools like the UC Davis DryCard to combat mold and aflatoxins. 🌱Agribusiness Training: Delivered by experts from Global Predict and the University of Ghana. These efforts lay the foundation for addressing challenges in post-harvest losses, seed supply, and institutional capacity while ensuring inclusivity and sustainability.🌿 Stay tuned for updates on our progress in transforming Niger's horticulture sector! Also, visit https://lnkd.in/gxKH6S8t for more information. #AgricultureInnovation #Horticulture #Niger

Save-the-Date for 5th Edition of the All Africa Postharvest Congress & Exhibition (5th AAPHCE) from 16th to 19th September 2025 at the African Union Headquarters, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. I was privileged to convene the inaugural AAPHCE which was hosted by University of Nairobi in Kenya in 2017 together with the World Food Preservation Center® . We received the much needed support and funding from many partners including The Rockefeller Foundation FAO African Development Bank Group AGRA Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Horticulture The Postharvest Education Foundation among others. The AAPHCE was conceptualized as a platform for stakeholders in the agri-food sector including value chain practitioners (farmers, traders, processors), researchers/academia, policy makers, private sector, NGOs, development partners, civil society and others to address the problem of high postharvest losses in our food supply chains. This would be achieved through sharing of knowledge/information/data, skills and experiences while showcasing innovative solutions to reduce postharvest losses in the African context. During the 2nd AAPHCE in 2019, University of Nairobi handed over hosting of the AAPHCE to the African Union Commission (AUC) because of its pan-African Convening power. Since the AUC took over the mantle, they have hosted the 3rd, 4th and now 5th AAPHCE. The AUC has since on-boarded more partners to support the AAPHCE including the World Food Programme Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA) Bühler Group Government of the Netherlands World Resources Institute FAO African Development Bank Group Ethiopian Airlines and others. I am honored to have served as the Chair of the Scientific/Technical Committee of the AAPHCE since its inception and worked closely with co-chairs Umezuruike Linus Opara and Olaniyi Fawole [奧拉尼伊·法沃萊] to deliver the technical outputs of the congress with support from Komla Prosper Bissi the lead for resource mobilization. As we commence the planning cycle, the AUC will be calling for partners and sponsors to support the 5th AAPHCE. In due course there will be calls for papers, exhibitions and side events. Watch this space and the Congress Website (still under development) for details and updates Vijay Yadav TOKALA, PhD Betty Kibaara Dr. Lisa KitinojaErin McGuire Winnie Yegon MICHAEL ONCHABODr Susan Chomba Wambui Mbarire John Macharia Mel Oluoch Nomathemba Mhlanga

The Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Horticulture at the University of Ghana (Postharvest Innovation Hub) has launched a call for application for agri-preneurs to participate in the Postharvest Innovation Challenge, with the opportunity of up to $10,000 in grants to establish business plan/ideas after a week-long intensive Post Harvest Innovation Training. Kindly apply via🔗 https://bit.ly/49lp8d0

The trained carpenter and his team are at work! Two Chimney Solar Dryers, built according to the University of California, Davis' specifications, were constructed in the Kapilvastu field under the YUVA Project (funded by Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Horticulture). These dryers were handed over to two commercial youth farmers, Lobkush Kewat and Krishna Mohan Kewat. Due to an uncontrollable influx of products from India, they have faced challenges with meager prices for their vegetables during the main season. At FORWARD Nepal, we are working to address this issue by encouraging them to use these dryers to add value to their products and improve shelf life during periods when proper prices can't be fetched. We’ll be closely monitoring the success of this intervention. #FORWARDNepal 🤞🍅☀️💵

During the recent East Africa regional tour, the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Horticulture program team, represented by Lydiah Maranga (Program officer) and Michel Kabirigi (Post-doctoral researcher), had the pleasure of visiting ICED's Kenya office. Their tour included visits to GROOTS Kenya and Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), two research project teams managed by the Horticulture Innovation Lab's East Africa Regional Hub. Along with hosting the East Africa Regional Hub, ICED is also managing an impactful project focused on determining the cost-benefit of integrating horticulture into staple crop production in Kenya, led by Kwadwo Danso-Mensah as the Principal Investigator (PI). Discussions held during Lydiah and Michel's visit centered on ongoing project activities across East Africa and the incredible opportunities for scaling these initiatives to drive sustainable agricultural growth.