The Post-Harvest Management to Improve Livelihoods Project, PHMIL, will ultimately support Ethiopian farmers and the agriculture and agri-food industries to promote food and livelihood security for the people of Ethiopia. This project is significant because the government of Ethiopia has identified post-harvest losses as being extremely high, ranging from 20-70% depending on the crop. Losses generally occur during handling, transport, storage, processing, and in the hands of the final consumer.
Agriculture is the driving force of the Ethiopian economy, accounting for 90% of foreign export earnings and 85% of employment. By focusing on reducing post-harvest losses, adding value to existing products, utilizing waste products, monitoring quality and improving products to maintain nutritional quality and achieve export-level standards, this project will contribute to the Ethiopian government’s priority of food security and market-oriented agricultural production that will contribute to economic development.
Project goals will be achieved by training partner institution instructors in post-harvest management and value-added agriculture techniques; developing BSc and MSc programs for delivery in a new Post-Harvest Management Department at the partner university; improving library and laboratory facilities; and establishing a network of universities, industries, government and community groups with expertise and interest in the development of improved post-harvest systems. Post-harvest technologies will be developed through graduate student and faculty research and shared with farmers via demonstration sites and a community-based education program.
Partners
Jimma University College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine (JUCAVM), located in the southwest highlands of the country, is the lead organization in Ethiopia. The project will support JUCAVM to become a leader in post-harvest management and technologies to improve the quality, value and availability of local agricultural products. It will enable JUCAVM to provide high quality training, research and extension services to address the challenges facing Ethiopia’s agriculture sector. Male and female graduates from the new programs at JUCAVM will have expertise to contribute to the research, production and agriculture extension fields in Ethiopia.
NSAC is the lead Canadian organization for this project, providing expertise in value-added processing, food chemistry, organic agriculture, by-product utilization, dairy processing, curriculum development, adult education and project management. NSAC also provides the link between the project partners and the donor organization. McGill University brings expertise in food processing, waste utilization and gender and HIV/AIDS.
Funding Agencies
The Post-Harvest Management to Improve Livelihoods Project is a Tier 1 project of the University Partnerships in Cooperation and Development Program, funded by the Government of Canada through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). Substantial contributions to the project are also made by JUCAVM, NSAC, and McGill University.
Contact
Dr. Tessema Astatkie,
Project Director
Project Director & Professor |
Nancy Thornton,
Project Coordinator
Manager |
Engineering Department
Nova Scotia Agricultural College
PO Box 550
Truro, Nova Scotia
Canada B2N 5E3
tastatkie@nsac.ca
Tel (902) 893-6694
Fax (902) 893-1406 |
NSAC International
Nova Scotia Agricultural College
PO Box 550
Truro, Nova Scotia
Canada B2N 5E3
nthornton@nsac.ca
Tel (902) 893-6726
Fax (902) 893-4939 |
| 
|
