The African continent is home to hundreds of indigenous vegetables and other food plants. Plants such as the baobab, amaranth, wild melon, and the African mango.
These native plants provide rich nutrition, attaining superfood status, while surviving harsh tropical climate.
Across sub-Saharan Africa, more than a third of fruits, vegetables, and tubers are lost by the time they are processed or packaged, a good portion of these crops are lost. Sadly, much of the loss happens before the food can be eaten, in the "post-harvest” phase.
The problem is that the equipment and methods that many small-scale farmers use to process and store their crops are inadequate, therefore, months after the harvest, tons of what was once, freshly harvested produce, might be infested with insects and thrown out. Crops are produced largely by smallholder farmers in West Africa many of whom are women.
Women play a central role in crops production, processing and marketing, contributing about 60% of the total agricultural labour across West Africa. They are almost entirely responsible for the entire farming and harvest. Many of these farmers are open to new market routes for their harvest to provides them with additional income-earning opportunity and enhances their ability to contribute to household livelihood.
Shiffkorb support Africa’s crops, fruits and vegetables farmers. Working together to contribute towards improved livelihood and nutrition, increased income for smallholder farmers, and lead to enhanced agricultural productivity and improved agricultural biodiversity.