Welcome note to the post harvest conference by Dr. Jane Ambuko of UoN

Dear speakers, exhibitors, partners, sponsors,

Receive New Year greetings!

I would like thank you all for the support you have granted us as we prepare for this great congress – the 1^st All Africa Postharvest Congress and Exhibition. The congress scheduled for 28^th to 31^st March, 2017 at the Safari Park Hotel in Nairobi, Kenya is fast approaching!

Also read: how to build a charcoal fridge to prolong harvest life at the farm

We have received overwhelming requests and support from experts and practitioners who would like to speak and exhibit at the congress. We therefore look forward to an interesting convening that will adequately tackle the congress theme ‘Reducing Food Losses and Waste: Sustainable Solutions for Africa’ under the various subthemes outlined in the congress poster. A great diversity of delegates have already registered for the congress including researchers, academics, entrepreneurs, farmers, farmer organization leaders, innovators, development agencies, civil society and policy makers from all over the world.  In this regard we should look forward to exciting and interactive sessions during the congress.

An interesting new feature of the congress is the Postharvest Technologies Challenge (PTC) which seeks to attract innovators from all over Africa to share new technologies and innovative ideas to address food loss and waste in the African context. In this regard, there is a call for entries from innovators in the postharvest arena from across Africa. The entries will be screened by experts through a process which will identify the top 10 innovations. The finalists will pitch for their innovations to investors, donors and other relevant stakeholders during a special sessions of the congress.

We are pleased to have the Rockefeller Foundation as the strategic partner for the congress. We are also very grateful to other organizations that committed their resources to support this great initiative. These include Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Horticulture Innovation Lab (USAID), East Africa Trade and Investment Hub (USAID), Netherlands Development Organization (SNV), Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Postharvest Education Foundation, Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), East African Grain Council (EAGC) among others. We are still reaching out to other partners to bridge our budget deficit. There are various sponsorship levels including Platinum level (USD 100,000); Gold Level (≥ USD 50,000); Silver Level (≥ USD 20,000); Bronze Level (≥ USD 10,000); Supporting sponsors (<USD 10,000). Other sponsorship opportunities include Gala Dinner Sponsor (≥ USD 20,000) and Lunch Sponsor (≥ USD 10,000). The benefits for each of these sponsorship levels are detailed in the sponsorship brochure.

Please contact us and become a sponsor of this great congress.

If you have not yet registered as a delegate, please register now. If you wish to exhibit during the congress, please book your exhibition booth now.

I look forward to welcoming you to Nairobi, Kenya.

 Dr. Jane Ambuko

Chairperson, Organizing Committee of the 1^st All Africa Postharvest Congress and Exhibition

Department of Plant Science & Crop Protection, University of Nairobi
E-mail: postharvest.conference@gmail.com OR postharvest.conference@uonbi.ac.ke