Research projects 3

  • Head of research Hannu Korhonen, Martti Esala, Mila Sell
  • Language n/a

FoodAfrica is a research and development Programme enhancing food security in West and East Africa. The objective of the Programme is to provide new knowledge and tools for researchers, decision makers and local farmers to improve local food security. The FoodAfrica Programme is implemented in six countries: Benin, Ghana, Cameroon, Kenya, Senegal, and Uganda. The programme focuses on the following topics: Strengthening capacity for diagnosis and management of soil micronutrient deficiencies in Sub Saharan Africa for improved plant, animal and human nutrition (WP1, more than 20 African countries involved). Dairy cattle breeding in West Africa: identifying and promoting appropriate breeds and breed combinations or genotypes for smallholder farmers (WP2, Senegal). Economic analysis of technologies and targeted policies to reduce vulnerability and building resilience (WP3, Senegal). Enhancing food and nutrition security of vulnerable groups in communities through increased use of local agricultural biodiversity (WP4, Benin) Measuring and mitigating the risk of mycotoxins for poor milk and maize producers and consumers (WP5, Kenya). Improving market access and food security in Africa with information and communication technology (WP6, Ghana & Uganda) Innovative extension approaches for improving food security and livelihoods (WP7, Cameroon & Kenya).

Latin America is the biggest orange juice producer worldwide which results in significant amounts of Citrus Processing Waste (CPW). For many enterprises these waste products lead to significant disposal problems. On the other hand CPW can be the source of valuable products if converted in a biorefinery. The aim of this proposal is to develop a biorefinery concept for the CPW.

Enhancing food and nutrition security via 11 sub-research projects ranging from processing of fermented dairy products in Kazakhstan and identificaiton of Lactid acid bacteria to, cyroconservation of native poultry breeds, to behaviour of dairy cattle, to assessing quality of meat of native cattle breeds, assesing of quality of honey, gene identification for disease-resistant strains of apples, use of plants in soil remediation etc.