2023-2025
Peri-urban Lusaka
300+ Farmers
This research project focuses on improving post-harvest handling, storage, and processing techniques in horticulture value chains across peri-urban Lusaka. By addressing critical gaps in post-harvest management, the project aims to reduce food loss, increase farmer incomes, and strengthen food security in urban and peri-urban areas.
The project works directly with over 300 smallholder farmers, market vendors, and processors to identify challenges, test innovative solutions, and build capacity for improved post-harvest practices that can be scaled across the region.
Identify and address critical points of food loss in horticulture value chains, from farm to market, through improved handling and storage techniques.
Enhance farmer profitability by reducing losses, improving product quality, and connecting farmers to better market opportunities.
Train farmers, vendors, and processors in best practices for post-harvest handling, storage, and processing of horticultural products.
Improve coordination and linkages between value chain actors to create more efficient and resilient horticulture systems.
Comprehensive mapping and analysis of horticulture value chains to identify critical loss points, bottlenecks, and opportunities for intervention.
Testing and adapting appropriate post-harvest technologies for the local context, including low-cost storage solutions and processing equipment.
Training programs and demonstration activities to build skills and knowledge among value chain actors.
Reduction in post-harvest losses for participating farmers
Increase in farmer incomes through improved practices
Farmers trained in post-harvest management
Market vendors and processors reached
The project aims to create lasting change in horticulture value chains by establishing sustainable practices, strengthening market linkages, and building local capacity. Successful interventions will be documented and shared to enable scaling across other regions, contributing to improved food security, nutrition, and livelihoods in urban and peri-urban areas.
Get in touch to learn more about our research, collaborate on projects, or discuss partnership opportunities
Address
Centre for Urban Research and Planning
University of Zambia
Great East Road Campus
P.O. Box 32379, Lusaka, Zambia
Phone
+260 211 293 579
info@curp.unza.zm
Office Hours
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Sunday: Closed