The African Union Commission (AUC) hosted one of Africa’s biggest postharvest event from September 17th to 20th 2019 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA) successfully conducted a symposium titled “Accelerating the Adoption of Improved Postharvest & Agro-processing Practices in Africa”. In addition to the symposium, SAA setup an exhibition booth at the venue of the event and participated in different plenary sessions.

◆SAA’s featured Postharvest Handling and Agro-processing (PHAP) country program accomplishments and a booth

SAA has set up an exhibition booth at the venue of the congress which attracted visitors from different parts of the globe. Different publications, postharvest machine prototypes, processed food products and grain storage technologies promoted and adopted in its focus countries (Ethiopia, Mali, Nigeria and Uganda) were among the exhibits displayed at the AUC. The booth became a hub for networking and partnership. The exhibition run from 17-20 September 2019. SAA was awarded with the AUC Certificate of Appreciation.

◆SAA Staff in the AAPHCE plenary sessions

SAA staff also took part in different plenary sessions of the congress. Hon. Prof. Ruth K. Oniang’o delivered her remarks, speaking for SAA as partner and sponsor of the 2nd AAPHCE where she reminded all fellow Africans their role to feed Africa by reducing postharvest losses and through value addition considering its vast resources and manpower. Prof. Ruth and Engr. Leony received the AU certificate of appreciation as partners and sponsor of the event.

Prof. Ruth also ably shared the session on ‘Women and youth empowerment through postharvest management and agro-processing’ and encouraged stakeholders to support women and youth groups in their enterprises.

A lead paper presentation on the session on ‘capacity development and outreach programs in postharvest management and agro-processing’ was delivered by SAA PHAP Director, Engr. (Mrs.) Leony Halos-Kim who explained SAA’s strategies and the need for informed and skilled extension agents on PHAP, appropriate tools and equipment and training of service providers to supply and maintain relevant services. She emphasized on ‘commitment of stakeholders’ to move the platform forward.

Four technical papers were also presented during the breakout sessions by PHAP staff: From SG 2000- Ethiopia, Mrs. Aberash Tsehay, Senior Theme Coordinator (experiences on women agro-processing in Ethiopia); Mr. Teshome Lemma, Senior Program Officer (promotion of Purdue Improved Crop Storage PICS bags); Mr. Oumer Taha, Senior Program Officer (SG2000 experiences on promoting PHAP in Ethiopia); and Mr. James Murangira, Senior Theme Coordinator, SG 2000 Uganda (impact of supporting women agro-processors in Uganda). They were presented with the AU certificate of appreciation.