DFSNT Students Win Top Awards at the African Union’s Postharvest Conference (3rd AAPHCE)

The recently concluded 3rd All Africa Postharvest Congress and Exhibition (https://aaphce.com/), which was hosted by the African Union Commission and held from September 13 to 16th 2021, has seen two awards return to the department. The department was well represented, with two of our students standing out as top presenters. We congratulate them on their accomplishments and awards.

Mr. Duke Gekonge, a Ph.D. student in Food Science and Technology, won the Best Oral Presentation Awardforhis presentation, titled 'Opportunities and challenges in processed local fruits and vegetables: the case of small-scale food processors among Kenya farmers,'His work highlighted the constraints faced by small-scale processors, while emphasizing the prospects for value-added products to minimize food losses and wastes, particularly in the fruits and vegetables value chains, which are prevalent in Kenya.The presentation was in relation to his involvement in the ongoing capacity-building for small-scale processors at the department's Food Processing Hub and the Pilot Plant.

Miss. Brenda Kimang'a, an MSc student in Food Science and Technology, won the Third-Best Poster Presentation Awardfor her presentation titled'Application of botanical treatments and packaging technologies in the preservation of postharvest quality of tomatoes.'Her presentation was based on her MSc Research project work which discussed the use of botanical coatings, and cost-effective packaging solutions, as a sustainable solution for small-scale farmers in the post-harvest management of tomatoes. This is in an effort to minimize postharvest losses of the tomato, which is one of the most valuable vegetables consumed and traded in Kenya.

The winners received certificates of recognition for their accomplishments and will also be receiving cash prizes.The Department is proud of their accomplishments!