Post-harvest losses along different value chains mainly the vegetables values chains in sub Saharan Africa is high despite numerous efforts made by scientists. Literature indicated many reasons among which are (i) the poor adaptability of generated technology, and (ii) the poor efficiency. In a context of alarming post-harvest losses in the region, there is a need to have a science driven approach focusing on post-harvest losses reduction along with the increase of the shelf life of fruits and vegetables. The post-harvest platform has this mandate with the objective to provide to actors along fruits and vegetables value chains efficient, effective and locally rooted, and easy to use post-harvest technologies for post-harvest losses reduction. The post-harvest team focuses not only on (i) post-harvest losses quantification along the value chains, (ii) the development of agronomic practices for high quality and extended shelf life of fruits and vegetables and (iii) the development of easy to use post-harvest technologies. Agronomic practices include pre-harvest practices such as fertilization, irrigation, harvesting stage and time, cropping system. Post-harvest technologies focus on storage structure and temperature, edible coating, sanitizing solution…. When needed, we engage with researchers in crop protection to reduce post-harvest pest and diseases damage which also greatly affect post-harvest life of fruits and vegetables. Our current work focus on tomato fruit and pineapple shelf-life extension based on the pre and post-harvest tools.
The post-harvest platform is also designed to conduct scientific research on adaptation of new technologies in local conditions and train BSc, MSc and PhD students interested in such field. We collaborate with several national and international institutions such as World vegetable center, CIRAD, Applied Horticultural Research, CIMMYT etc.