2019 ASHS Annual Conference

A training and technical assistance program to address postharvest and marketing challenges facing small-scale limited resource farmers in Kenya was developed through an academic partnership between the Louisiana State University (LSU) Agricultural Center and Egerton University in Nakuru, Kenya. Funding was provided through a USDA-FAS Scientific Cooperation Research Program (SCRP) award. The objectives of the program were to strengthen the capacity of Egerton University faculty and students to conduct postharvest technology research and extension activities to benefit small-scale producers and marketers. The main activities included faculty exchanges, postharvest horticulture training for students and faculty, multiple technical assistance seminars to small-scale farmers, crop-specific postharvest care guides, and export market trade facilitation between Kenyan producers and potential U.S. fruit, vegetable, and floricultural crop importers. The long term goal is to establish a center of excellence in postharvest horticulture at Egerton University for graduate student training and applied research to meet the postharvest challenges of fruit, vegetable, and flower growers and marketers.