Participants in the vegetable value chain including farmers, public and private seed companies, processors, extension agents, researchers, government officials from regional and district extension offices, and representatives from nongovernmental organizations joined in a Seed Fair and Field Day at AVRDC – The World Vegetable Center Eastern and Southern Africa on 8-9 April 2014. About 500 farmers from Arusha and Kilimanjaro regions attended the event.
The Seed Fair and Field Day featured:
- Booth displays from seed and other supplier companies, government and nongovernmental organizations, and AVRDC
- Live plant demonstration plots from seed companies and AVRDC
- Discussion panels in which farmers, company representatives, processors, extension agents and researchers were able to explore issues of interest
Eleven companies, one NGO and three government organizations had seed displays and posters in booths. Five companies participated in both booth displays and live plant demonstrations. In addition to a booth display and live plant demonstrations, one company set up a screenhouse to demonstrate protected vegetable production methods.
In its own demonstration plots, AVRDC highlighted the diversity of vegetables available at the Eastern and Southern Africa regional office. These plots contained varieties released in some countries and advanced lines grown under optimal conditions. The AVRDC booth featured seed displays, traditional vegetable recipes, and some postharvest equipment.
The discussion panel focused on the analysis of the vegetable value chain from a farmer’s perspective. Participants commented on the technologies displayed and demonstrated. The discussion helped to bring forward constraints in the vegetable value chain and possible solutions as perceived by farmers, consumers, seed companies, traders, processors, extension agents and researchers.
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- Prof.Mongi was honored for his work in developing seed distribution networks in the region.
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- Tomato stored in the ZECC will stay cool and fresh.
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- Demonstrating a solar drying device.
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- Socioeconomist Victor Afari-Sefa with Prof. Mongi.
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- Research assistant Roseline Marielle sets out samples of snacks made from traditional vegetables.
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- Director General Dyno Keatinge at the Seed Fair.
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- Booth sponsored by the Tanzania Official Seed Certification Institute.
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- Seed on display.
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- Seed company booth.
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- The AVRDC Eastern and Southern Africa team!
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- At the seed company booths.
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- Farmers asked questions during the Seed Fair.
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- Demonstrating a bottle capper.
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- Research assistant Roseline Marielle and Postharvest Specialist Ngoni Nenguwo show farmers how packing materials protect easily bruised vegetables.
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- Postharvest specialist Ngoni Nenguwo demonstrates a ZECC: zero energy cooling chamber
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- Farmers in the crop demonstration areas.
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- Amaranth is an important traditional vegetable in sub-Saharan Africa.
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- A seed increase plot.
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- Farmers check out the onion trials.
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- AVRDC Board Chair Yu-Tsai Huang with Mrs. Mongi, who worked alongside Prof. Mongi on developing seed distribution networks in the region.
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- A walk through the screenhouses.
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- East and Southeast Asia Regional Director Robert Holmer (right). In the background, African Genebank Manager Tsvetelina Stoilova with Board Member Clarito Barron.
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- Deputy Director General Administration & services Yin-fu Chang and Human Resources Director IR Nagaraj with Tsung-han Wu, an observer from Taiwan.
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- The ESA Demonstration Fields were in top form.
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- Tomato breeder Peter Hanson.
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- Plant Pathologist Jaw-Fen Wang.
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- Board member David Sammons (left) and ESA Regional Director Thomas Dubois.
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- AVRDC Board Chair Yu-Tsai Huang with Prof. Mongi.
