2013 Reduction of Post-Harvest Losses and Value Addition

The first annual "Reduction of Post-Harvest Losses and Value Addition in East African Food Value Chains"(RELOAD) project workshop was held at the College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Jimma University, from October 7 to October 10, 2013 .

The project proposes to establish a development oriented inter- and transdisciplinary African-German Research Network in Kenya, Uganda, and Ethiopia, to address reduction of post harvest losses and enhancing value addition. The applying consortium comprises 3 German and 6 African universities, research institutions and private sector representatives specifically small and medium enterprises (SME).RELOAD's integrated approach addresses the whole food value chain, including scientific base, capacity building, handling and processing at smallholder level, transport, storage, processing and market access.

The referring target groups comprise East-African scientific networks, administrations, SMEs, farmers and civil society actors. The simultaneous treatment of agricultural, technological, economic and social issues allows for an efficient and sustainable improvement of the East African food system.

Side meetings were held between Prof. Dr. Oliver Hensel (RELOAD project Director) and JU management on how to further strengthen collaboration between University of Kassel and JU. Sixty participants from the four countries attended the workshop.