The International Centre for Evaluation and Development (ICED) – an African-led international development research and innovation think tank, together with the Horticulture Innovation Lab’s at UC Davis held a three-day regional horticulture workshop in Nairobi between 25th and 27th May.

Themed “Assessing on-the-ground challenges and opportunities for innovative ideas and technologies that constrain/contribute to practical and academic horticultural pursuits,” the timely workshop brings together local horticulture experts, academia, private sector, the Lab consortium, and other relevant stakeholders with the intention to identify on-the-ground challenges and opportunities within the region.

The consultative workshop would also explore avenues for addressing these challenges through research or capacity building activities. 

“We are thrilled to convene sessions like these, which seek to build knowledge and evidence to address food security issues in the continent and to work together to bridge the gaps within the horticulture value chain,” said Dr. David Ameyaw, ICED President, and CEO.

This workshop is set to provide a series of sessions that promote learning, information sharing, build networks and partnerships, with the overall objective of identifying effective strategies and interventions for ensuring systemic, sustainable, and inclusive improvements in the horticulture sector. 

“Considering the limitations of research, we are hoping that this workshop will allow expects within the region to help us sort through all possible directions within the region and the areas of focus when it comes to rolling out projects” said Erin McGuire, the Associate Director, Feed the Future Horticulture Innovation Lab.

Over the next five years, the Lab will concentrate its efforts on West and East Africa, Southeast Asia, and Central America with an aim to implement a locally led, globally supported program to further the its objectives.

The Horticulture Innovation Lab at UC Davis advances fruit and vegetable innovations, empowers smallholder farmers to earn more income, while better nourishing their communities. By improving smallholder farmers’ abilities to grow and sell high-value crops, the Lab helps the world’s poorest people break out of a persistent cycle of poverty and improve livelihoods — through higher profits and diversified, nutrient-rich diets.

The newly awarded Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Horticulture at UC Davis will follow a locally-led, globally supported model for program development and implementation.

Currently, ICED is implementing the Feed the Future Advancing Local leadership, Integration and Network (ALL-IN) research grant, a Sub-Award from the UC Davis Market, Risk and Resilience Innovation Lab, (BASIS). This program has awarded 12 research grants to 8 African Institutions in 6 countries.  

This East Africa Regional Workshop was made possible by the generous support of the American people through USAID. 

The contents are the responsibility of ICED and the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Horticulture and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.