A two days Regional training workshop on Food Safety and Postharvest Loss Management was conducted at Bahir Dar Institute of Technology, Bahir Dar University from 27-28/02/2010 E.C. More than 25 agricultural expertise from ANRS, 8 Model farmers and 8 academic staff were attained the training program. In addition leaders from USIAD, Feed the Future Regional office and University management attained the training. The training was given by PHL-IL project partner researchers from Bahir Dar and Mekele Universities and organized by Bahir Dar Institute of Technology and Kensas State University.
The Training focused on Solar drying, Storage for Insect management, Molds and Mycotoxins prevention and control, Pesticide residues and health consequences, Improving nutrition through postharvest loss mitigation and Role of gender in postharvest practices. Feedback from participants suggested the need for continuous training of farmers and expertise during harvesting period. The participants have also requested to scale up the technologies and research outputs to farmers level as well as cooperatives. In line with this, Bahir Dar Institute of Technology has already started to establish model demonstration sites in Marawi (Amhara Region) and Kulumsa (Oromia Region) on integrated postharvest loss management strategy.
