INDIGENOUS LEAF VEGETABLES FOR FOOD FORTIFICATION: PROJECT BULLETIN VOLUMES 1 AND 2
The myriad of health challenges and the search for expansion of indigenous leafy vegetables (ILVs) utilization in the Nigerian traditional food chain have led to their exploration in the form of liquid extracts that can be used for food fortication. This is with the intention of bringing to the forefront, the various benecial effects of ILVs to the local communities using staple foods as vehicles. Such new and improved food product formulations will be assessed for organoleptic properties to ensure consumer acceptance. Here we report the technologies on value addition that have been developed by MicroVeg Project on value-added products from indigenous vegetables. Read more.
* * * CALL FOR PAPERS: DEADLINE EXTENDED TILL AUGUST 30, 2017 * * *
Producers, marketers, processors, and consumers have identified various problems that militate against the cultivation and utilization of indigenous vegetables in Africa. These include lack of planting materials, lack of production package information, lack of government support, the psyche of consumers that discourage promotion of indigenous species, lack of awareness of the food value of the species, difficult production techniques e.g. staking, etc., and high degree of perishability amongst others. It is known that the agrarian/rural communities that constitute about 65% of most African countries rely on these valuable vegetables for daily supplies of nutrients, vitamins and even protein. Thus, sustained production and utilization of these indigenous vegetables (IVs) will be a solution to the persistent problems of food and nutritional security in Africa. It is therefore timely to organize a forum to discuss issues that are related to the production and utilization of the indigenous vegetables of Africa from the perspectives of science, technology, finance and policy. Therefore, one of the goals of this conference is to bring together the stakeholders in the indigenous vegetables value chain. The conference will focus on development of improved agronomic methods, improved value addition, post-harvest and processing technologies, financing and the development of new market outlets which will contribute to the economic well-being of the rural women and generally enhance the average family income and provide a bulwark against food and nutritional insecurity. For more information, Click Here.
PROJECT BOARD MEETING HELD IN ILE-IFE, NIGERIA: JULY 23-26, 2017
The MicroVeg Project Board comprising Prof Victor Okoruwa of the University of Ibadan-Nigeria, Dr Victor Afari-sefa of the World Vegetable Centre, Dr Monica Orisadare of the Child Health International (NGO)-Nigeria and Dr. Shamie Zingore of International Plant Nutrition Institute(IPNI), Nairobi, Kenya together with MicroVeg Project team met at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria from July 22-26, 2017 to carry out an appraisal of the level of implementation of Project, offer suggestions on how to achieve maximum impacts and provide advice on the remaining aspects of the project. Read more Here.
MICROVEG MET IDRC AND GAC IN OTTAWA, CANADA: MAY 16-17, 2017
The MicroVeg Project represented by Clement Adebooye (Regional Project Coordinator), Rotimi Aluko (Principal Investigator, University of Manitoba) and Derek Peak (Principal Investigator, University of Saskatchewan) were invited by the IDRC and Global Affairs Canada (GAC) to present the results our project to the policy makers, scientific and business communities and private sector in Ottawa region. It was a full day meeting on Tuesday 16 May in Ottawa. Our presentation at GAC was attended by 18 participants while 26 participants attended the presentation at IDRC. Derek gave a presentation on project overview, agronomic trial results and synchrotron tech plus GIS. Rotimi talked on value addition experiments and results while Clement gave information on the scaling up approaches. Overall, Marco, Frank, IDRC, GAC, academia and the private sectors were very happy to learn about the new things that our project is doing. Our presence will remain in their memory for quite some time. After the presentations we held a private meeting with Marco and Frank.
IDRC PHOTOGRAPHER VISITED BENIN REPUBLIC: APRIL 27 - 30, 2017
In an attempt to permanently document the achievements of MicroVeg Project, the IDRC commissioned a photographer, Mr Bartay Photos, San Francisco, USA to visit our project locations in Benin Republic between April 27-30, 2017. The aim is to capture both in picture and in video, all the action points of MicroVeg Project including agronomy, water use, irrigation, fertilizer application, marketing, value addition, marketing and utilization of indigenous vegetables. The photo actions and videos are already on IDRC website. See more pictures below:
MicroVeg held Annual Review Meeting in Canada……. March 7-19, 2017
The MicroVeg project team held the Annual Review Meeting in Canada from March 7-19, 2017. The first part of the meeting held at the University of Saskatchewan while the second part held at the University of Manitoba. Project leaders and scientists in attendance include Derek Peak, Rotimi Aluko, Duro Oyedele, Clement Adebooye, Pierre Akponikpe, Adeolu Ayanwale, Carol Sossa-Vihotogbe, Nasser Baco, Kehinde Taiwo, Jacinta Uramah-Eze, Djenothin Andreas and Bosede Lawal. Students who are working on different aspects of the project were also present(Gideon Olaleye, Miniely Collins, Taylor Procyshen, Ayo Olarewaju and Modoukpe Djibril.
MicroVeg Newsletter, February 2017 Edition, Released
This Newsletter highlights the principles of two scaling up models: the Satellite Dissemination Approach (SDA) and the Innovation Platform (IP) that are being used by MicroVeg Project to expand the reach of agronomic and water management technologies, seed production and value addition technology. It discusses the challenges faced during scaling up activities and presents the report of activities at the IP by identifying the key issues, challenges and possible intervention to mitigate the challenges facing the actors and stakeholders. It highlights the gender and group dynamics to show level of commitment of the stakeholders at the IP and SDA levels. The activities on scaling up to schools, as well as the outcomes are also presented.Click here to read more (in pdf).
