The Department of Crop Science, School of Agriculture has taken an important step towards transforming the agricultural sector with the commissioning of a Postharvest Innovation Hub funded by Busters Apex, a Pest Control company in Accra, Ghana. The launch marked the beginning of a phenomenal journey towards reducing postharvest losses and improving quality and safety of agricultural commodities.
In her opening remarks, Dr. Gloria Essilfie, the Principal Investigator and founder of the Postharvest Innovation Hub, expressed gratitude to Busters Apex for supporting the vision by providing funding for the construction of the Hub. She also acknowledged the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Horticulture for providing funding for laboratory equipment and a Walk-in Cold Room Demonstration Unit.
Dr. Essilfie hinted that the goal of establishing the hub is to develop, implement, and disseminate innovative solutions that will reduce post-harvest losses, improve quality and safety, and enhance the livelihoods of farmers, processors, retailers, and consumers. This will be achieved through research, collaboration, and capacity building, with a focus on post-harvest management, technology adaptation and dissemination, and post-harvest enterprising and innovation. She was confident that harnessing the power of innovation will significantly reduce post-harvest losses and improve the livelihoods of those dependent on agriculture.
The commissioning of the Innovation Hub marks a significant step in their efforts to address post-harvest losses, one of the most pressing challenges in agriculture. These losses are caused by a range of factors, including inadequate storage facilities, poor handling practices, and a lack of modern innovative technology. She therefore called on the private sector to take an interest in the commercialization of the innovative products of the hub, as they will have a positive impact on people's lives.
Representing the Head of the Department of Crop Science, Dr. Jacqueline Naalamle Amissah, who is also Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Horticulture, West Africa Regional Hub Manager, expressed the Department's excitement about the establishment of the Hub, which she believed would transform their teaching and research practices. She wished the team the best in its endeavours and expecting more products to emerge from the hub’s activities.
Prof. Boateng Onwona Agyeman delivering his remarks
Prof. Boateng Onwona-Agyeman, Provost of the College of Basic and Applied Science indicated that the establishment of the hub aligned with the vision of the University of Ghana and specially the College’s Strategic Priority which focuses on Internationally Competitive and Extensive Research. He emphasised the importance of properly maintaining the facility to ensure its sustainability and continued benefit to faculty and students in the years ahead. He urged the Department to explore collaborative opportunities with industry, enabling students who work on projects within the Hub to secure employment after their studies.
Commissioning of the facility by the Provost along other dignitaries
The Provost, along with representatives from Busters Apex Limited, Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Horticulture, the Head of the Department of Crop Science representative, and the College Secretary, officially commissioned the facility. This was followed by a tour of the hub, where guests were guided through the operation of the CoolBot Walk-in Cold Room. A variety of products from the hub were on display including freeze dried cocoyam leaves, garden eggs, turkey berry tea, solar dried okra and cocoyam leaves and turkey berry.
Guests touring the facility
Mr. Archie Jarman, Associate Director of the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Horticulture, commended Dr. Essilfie and her team for their dedication to researching indigenous vegetables. He noted that post-harvest management has not played a significant component in research over the past decade and is therefore excited by the current focus on this area. In his opinion, Dr Essilfie's efforts and the establishment of the Hub are well-positioned to make meaningful impact in Ghana.
Mr. Jarman who took the guests through the functioning mechanism of the Cool Bot technology in the Walk-in Cold Room - designed to improve post-harvest management and reduce crop losses, which adopts a unique evaporative cooling technology to maintain optimal storage temperatures for various crops. The cold room was stocked with a variety of vegetables, including Garden Eggs, Okra, Turkey Berry (Kwahu Nsusua) and Cocoyam Leaves (Kontomire).
The ceremony was also attended by Ms. Kristen Becker, Project Manager at the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Horticulture, University of California, Davis; Ms. Rosalyne Baddoo, Project Manager at the Postharvest Innovation Hub; team members from other Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Horticulture projects in Nigeria and Guinea-Bissau; Mrs. Mavis Otoo-Ayeh, College Secretary and senior members, staff, and students of the University of Ghana.