Postharvest Production Opportunities for Peace Corps in Cape Verde

Cape Verde – Challenges Food security is a chronic and structural issue in CV Lack of arable soil, adverse climatic conditions – factors of vulnerability that condition agriculture development In a good crop year, internal capacity of cereal production is less than ¼ of the country’s food needs – therefore high dependence on food aid

Opportunities If structural measures are implemented there is potential to meet the needs of the internal market with horticulture crops Strong opportunities for the development of enterprises in the agricultural sector Public policies directed toward income generating agriculture – agribusiness – to meet consumer demand and contribute to food security

Opportunities (Cont.) The existence of preferential markets (i.e. AGOA, special partnership with European Union) Ethnic market or communities abroad Private sector support policies Convertability of the CVE Tourism potential Improved infrastructure – roads, ports, sea transport

Strategic Agriculture Plan (PEA) By implementing a set of policy measures – rural land management and development of the hydrographic basins, and under the framework of an integrated development, it will be possible to “diversify productive activities and services and to increase entrepreneurship of micro, small and medium enterprises as well as create and maintain employment in rural areas.”

Millennium Challenge Account Agricultural Project Building of infrastructure – water capture and storage systems in the main water basins of CV Drip Irrigation for small farmers Training for farmers (farming methods and water management, agribusiness) Cooling facilities/packing houses – low tech Credit line Project develops all aspects: from production to market Make farmers see agriculture as a business

The Cold Chain Harvesting Cooling (pre-cooling) Cold Storage Transport to market Handling at Destination Handling at home or food service

Postharvest Losses Perishable food losses are still very common in most developing countries Estimates of losses in Cape Verde range from 25% to 40%

Sources of Postharvest Losses Physical losses (damage, bruising,weight loss, water loss) Decay, insects Quality changes (flavor, color, texture) Nutritional losses Loss of market value Food safety problems

Postharvest Losses and Profits Postharvest losses equal wasted food and wasted production resources (water, labor, seeds, fertilizers, fuel,land) and loss of profits. Reducing postharvest losses using improved postharvest technologies and the cool chain can cost much less than increasing production.

Postharvest Technologies (PHT) Provide Economic Opportunities Can be simple practices, easy for individuals to try out for themselves Cost effective (low to moderate cost,often showing immediate profitability) Widely available, often can beconstructed locally

Food Safety Small growers, handlers and marketers make up the vast majority of the horticultural industry in Cape Verde. Food borne illness outbreaks are more common than generally realized

PHT Training Resources University of California PTRIC website Produce Facts USDA Handbook 66 ml Extension Systems International website

The Postharvest Service and Training Center (MCA Supported Project) A model commercial services postharvest facility to be located near the ports on three islands. Fogo Santo Antao Sao Nicolau

The Postharvest Services and Training Center Packing Cooling (shade, evaporative cooling. Do not always need electricity.) Shipping Training The overall goals of the PHSTC are to enhance the existing marketing system by helping supply missing components (such as suitable packages, pre-cooling, cool transport), and to encourage interested growers to branch out into the potentially more profitable postharvest commercial activities that exist beyond their own fields.

Current Peace Corps Volunteers’ Involvement Fogo, Santo Antao and Sao Nicolau  Business Volunteers supporting technical training and preparing small farmers to improve their business capacity Postharvest Service and Training Center in Santo Antao – PCVs to help in the management aspects

Future Possibilities Work at decentralized level with small farmers or farmers’ associations to help them benefit from the structures and resources set up by MCA project and to grow their agribusinesses Types of Volunteers – business, marketing, agriculture Strategic placements upstream and downsteam working with the farmers near new dams and watersheds (i.e. ADF supported projects of improved water access and ag-practices).

Thank you!