#AAPHCE2023: Enhancing Food and Nutrition Security

Many people know where their next meal will come from and have some variety of foods to choose from for that meal. However, challenges in the current global reality—including the Ukraine war and a slow post-COVID19 recovery—mean that food and nutrition security is not a guaranteed experience for all.

From September 19 to 22, 2023, the All Africa Postharvest Congress & Exhibition (AAPHCE 2023) was held in Ethiopia, at the Africa Union headquarters. The event brought together stakeholders in development work, from the private and civil sectors, and academic/research institutes, all with a common goal: sharing technologies, practices and tools for food loss and waste reduction.

"Reducing [food loss and waste] is a key part of sustainability strategies for increasing food availability without putting additional pressure on the environment and economy to produce more food." — All Africa Postharvest Congress & Exhibition, Concept Note, 2023

The 4-day event was a combination of networking events, informative exhibitions, and sessions to engage and educate participants on innovations and discoveries around sustainable postharvest management. This was an opportunity for attending organizations and individuals to explore new ways of enhancing communities' nutrition and improving food security in a bid to reduce hunger.

ICED partners with Innovation Lab for Horticulture to raise awareness on AIVs

The development work that the International Centre of Evaluation and Development (ICED) is geared towards enhancing the quality of life within communities in the global south, including African communities. Through a partnership with the USAID -funded Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Horticulture , ICED's research also focus on using foods native to the African continent to improve the health and wellbeing of African communities. This covers everything from food and nutrition security, to gender equity, sustainability, and increased employment opportunities.

AAPHCE 2023 brought together various experts from the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Horticulture, including the Lab's Associate Director, Archie Jarman , East Africa Regional Hub Manager Peninah Yumbya, PhD (ICED), and West Africa Regional Hub Manager Naalamle Amissah, PhD .

Alongside representatives from sponsoring and partnering organizations such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat and World Food Programme, Dr. Yumbya delivered a goodwill speech to open the Congress, on behalf of Erin McGuire , director of the Lab.

The following days included a side panel event, hosted by the Lab, focusing on African Indigenous vegetables (AIVs) and fruits. The conversation revolved around several issues including the impact of AIVs local communities' nutrition and food security, and the sustainability and marketability of the AIVs. The side event began with presentations by Associate Director Jarman, Dr. Yumbya (ICED), and Dr. Amissah. An engaging panel discussion, moderated by Dr. Freda E. Asem, Ph.D , tapped into the expertise of Prof. Arnold Opiyo ( Egerton University ), Prof. Willis Owino ( Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) ), and Dr. Gloria Essilfie ( University of Ghana ).

At the side event's concluding discussion, East Africa RM Dr. Yumbya shared the entire Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Horticulture research portfolio, with the goal of raising awareness and continuing the conversation of AIVs impact and sustainability. To find out more about the work of ICED and the Innovation Lab for Horticulture, visit here, and read more about their new projects here.

ICYMI (In Case You Missed It): Even More ICED News

ICED CEO hops continents for impactful research

If you wonder which parts of the International Centre for Evaluation and Development are "moving pieces", the answer is: every part and member of ICED is a "moving piece". ICED is an active organization, from the top to the bottom. In keeping with this mindset, ICED president and CEO, David Sarfo Ameyaw has been continent hopping, from East Africa (Evidence to Action Conference 2023) to Europe (AidData's Geofield convening), and then South Africa (7th annual African Conference of Agricultural Economists & 60th Agricultural Economics Association of South Africa Conference). Read more about his travels here.

USAID Partner Directory has a new member: ICED!

The International Centre for Evaluation and Development (ICED) is happy to announce that it is now officially listed in the USAID Partner Directory! The Partner Directory is "a listing of development organizations working to make sustainable changes in their communities and around the world" [Work With USAID 2023]. The Directory allows all organizations (including private-sector businesses, non-governmental organizations, and more) to expand their networks, build partnerships and create connections, and even find subcontractors. Partners' organizational profiles are listed in the directory for free, with publicly available information including countries where the organizations operate, sectors they work in, and even their social media profiles. Check out ICED's profile here.