Tanzania

Horticulture Innovation Lab in Tanzania

As part of Feed the Future, the Horticulture Innovation Lab has conducted research in Tanzania focused on advancing local expertise in postharvest practices, low-cost postharvest technologies, African indigenous vegetable production, seed systems, and other topics.

This page includes links to Horticulture Innovation Lab research projects, major partners and partner organizations based in Tanzania, along with blog articles and information products with a focus on horticulture in Tanzania.

USAID Information

Project

Representative shows jar of seeds and drying beads to television reporter in Thailand.

Implementing drying beads for seeds in Asia and Africa

Led by Kent Bradford, University of California, Davis

Improving the ability of smallholder farmers to access high-quality seeds of improved varieties of horticultural crops is fundamental to increasing farmer productivity and incomes.

Nepal, Bangladesh, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda

Strengthening the value chain for African indigenous vegetables in Kenya, Tanzania and Zambia

Led by Stephen Weller, Purdue University

This research project seeks to support and strengthen the African indigenous vegetable industry using a market-first approach to overcoming constraints along the value chain, leading to improv

Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia

Trainers talk to farmers about maintaining freshness and proper postharvest handling of various vegetable crops after harvest.

Opening a regional postharvest training center in Tanzania

Led by Diane Barrett, University of California, Davis

A year of training for postharvest experts from Tanzania, Rwanda, Kenya, Ghana, Benin and Gabon culminates in the establishment of a model Postharvest and Training Services Center in Tanzania--which the new experts emulate in their home countries.

Tanzania, Rwanda, Ghana, Kenya, Benin, Gabon

University classroom with students and speaker

Building postharvest capacity in Tanzania

Led by Eleni Pliakoni, Kansas State University

Postharvest losses of fresh horticultural crops are a major challenge in Tanzania, with studies from Sokoine University of Agriculture estimating losses of fresh produce at 44-60 percent.

Tanzania

Evaluating cooling and drying technologies in various climates in Tanzania, Ghana, Honduras, Guatemala, Thailand

Led by Lizanne Wheeler, World Food Logistics Organization

This research project is a series of studies comparing cool storage tools and solar dryer designs.

Honduras, Guatemala, Tanzania, Ghana, Thailand

Developing a concentrated solar dryer in Tanzania

Led by Diane Barrett, University of California, Davis

Women carry out most production of horticultural crops in Tanzania and other developing countries. Harvest periods are short but less than 1% of the crop is processed for off-season consumption.

Tanzania

Articles

Student researchers take top honors in Agrilinks contest

Three students from our global network were honored by Agrilinks for writing about international agriculture experiences with the Horticulture Innovation Lab.

Young man takes notes, while older man points to a plant in a field with two women to discuss

New projects in Africa and Asia to help fruit and vegetable farmers, with a little help from U.S. university students

The Horticulture Innovation Lab has awarded 15 new Trellis Fund grants to organizations in Africa and Asia, matching these new projects to 16 graduate students who will provide agriculture expertise requested by the organizations.

UC Davis ‘DryCard’ invention wins competition to reduce food loss in Africa

A new invention from UC Davis researchers won a competition as the top emerging technology to reduce food loss and waste across the African continent.

Professionals hold large wood trays filled with sliced vegetables for solar drying

Training postharvest partners in Tanzania’s horticulture sector

Editor’s note: Michael Reid shares highlights from a five-day short course on postharvest handling of horticultural crops, funded and led by the Horticulture Innovation Lab in Tanzania this summer.

three women looking at man's arm pointing to air conditioner and CoolBot controller

How one farmer’s invention is reducing food waste around the world

A small-scale American farmer invented the CoolBot for low-cost cooling with an air conditioner, which the Horticulture Innovation Lab is using with farmers and researchers around the world.

Lizann Wheeler talking to group around the brick-based cooling chamber.

Visiting Tanzania: Postharvest Training and Services Center

Graduate student researcher Elyssa Lewis and I were invited to observe a refresher training course in Tanzania with the World Food Logistics Organization and the TOPS Program. The visit included evaluation of a project that trained experts in postharvest handling and established a Postharvest Training and Services Center.

Woman leads a discussion over a table of vegetables on plates and in bags with a group of farmers who are listening

New Postharvest Training and Services Center graduates its first crop of master trainers

Horticulture Innovation Lab researchers completed a year-long training for 36 postharvest “master trainers” from seven different African countries and opened a new Postharvest Training and Services Center in Tanzania.