October 13, 2011

New East Africa Crop Conditioning and Staple Crops Handbooks Available for Download

Manuals Promote Food Security

Two new handbooks developed by ACDI/VOCA under the USAID-funded Market Linkages Initiative are available for download and dissemination.

The handbooks represent the intent of the project, implemented by Carana and partners including ACDI/VOCA, to share lessons and best practices from its extensive market linkage endeavors throughout the region. MLI is designed to promote growth in staple crops and strengthen food security in East Africa.

Many organizations contributed to the development of the handbooks including, the World Food Programme, the Natural Resources Institute, ACDI/VOCA, Farm Input Promotions Africa Ltd, The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center, National Smallholder Association of Malawi, Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations, The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics, International Center for Tropical Agriculture, TechnoServe, Uganda Export Promotion Board, USAID, World Food Programme, and World Vision.

East Africa Crop Conditioning Handbook

Post-harvest losses happen in East Africa at every food production stage, from field production and harvesting, through threshing, drying, grading, packaging, preparation for storage and storage itself. These losses remain salient challenges in East Africa which is currently suffering from years of drought and, in some areas, political upheaval. To the extent these challenges are overcome, they alleviate food insecurity and boost incomes.

This handbook identifies improved smallholder conditioning practices for maize, beans, groundnuts and rice.

Click to download the crop conditioning handbook (PDF, 1 MB).

East Africa Staple Crops and Storage Handbook

Storage is but one part of the post-harvest system through which food grain passes on its way from the field to the consumer. The system has been likened to a pipeline in which there are many leaks. Losses are finite and, unlike crop losses, they cannot be offset by further plant growth.

This handbook examines grain quality and methods to improve storage of staple crops and minimize losses. It looks at storage structures and warehouse management, from large-scale facilities to traditional and small-scale alternatives.

Click to download the staple crops and storage handbook (PDF, 1.9 MB).

For more information on the Market Linkages Initiative.