2019 ASHS Annual Conference

Postharvest losses of fresh horticultural crops are a major challenge in Tanzania, ranging from 20 – 50% depending on the crops and management practices. The main reasons identified responsible for postharvest losses are the limited postharvest facilities, technologies, and access to knowledge. This project is a collaboration of researchers and extension specialists from Kansas State University (KSU) and University of Florida (UF), to build capacity at Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) in postharvest specialization of horticultural crops. The main goal is to provide students, farmers, traders, marketers, and agriculture extension educators who are working with fresh produce the tools and knowledge necessary to improve the quality and shelf life of their products and consequently reduce postharvest losses in Tanzania. More specifically, we helped develop institutional capacity at SUA by supporting a new curriculum and developing graduate level classes in postharvest management of fresh produce that help researchers and educators to conduct research and training in postharvest physiology and technology. Additionally, SUA faculty have worked closely with adult education faculty from KSU and UF in order to improve their teaching methods and pedagogy. We supported postharvest research teaching and extension at SUA by improving the existing infrastructure and introducing low-cost postharvest technologies that will be used for educational and training purposes. Finally, we worked towards building technical capacity for farmers, traders, marketers, and agriculture extension educators by developing and delivering training on appropriate postharvest handling methods. As of today we have trained 60 extension educators from government entities, private sector and NGOs. Also, we have trained 154 farmers and we anticipate to train approximately 400 by the end of the project. The increase in knowledge related to appropriate postharvest handling will result in the reduction of postharvest losses of fruits and vegetables throughout the supply chain. Our long-term goal is to help increase availability and access to nutritious vegetables and fruits that contribute to improving the livelihood of Tanzanians. This presentation will provide an overview of the project in addition to the results of the work thus far.