Challenge
Fruits and vegetables, known as horticulture crops, occupy an important space within the global food system. These crops are an important source of nutrients as part of a diverse diet, and they present a unique income-generating opportunity for smallholder farmers and, in particular, youth. Because horticulture crops are seen as supplemental to household food security and livelihoods, youth are more likely to be permitted to take the lead in production compared to staple crops. Horticulture crops also require relatively little land and provide rapid return on investment due to their short growing cycle, also making these crops attractive to youth.
However, the horticulture value chain presents challenges as well. Fruits and vegetables are highly perishable and need postharvest processing and good access to markets to ensure they can be sold. Enabling youth and other populations to successfully grow and sell horticulture crops requires locally appropriate innovation and uptake of good practices around the world.
Solution
The Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Horticulture, led by the University of California, Davis (UC Davis), advances fruit and vegetable production, handling, and consumption through purpose-driven ‘research for development.’ The five-year activity convenes global, regional, and local experts in West Africa, East Africa, South/Southeast Asia, and Central America to determine research needs in each geographic area. Research is conducted using a holistic, locally-led approach that prioritizes transfer of innovation into the hands of farmers. To provide youth opportunities, the Lab focuses on horticultural entrepreneurship, access to finance, and private industry job creation. For example, these approaches could manifest as mentorship opportunities between youth and local private industry representatives or capacity development-related competitions for an opportunity to earn seed funding for a youth-led small business.
Making Cents is providing technical expertise to the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Horticulture to ensure youth benefit from this research. Our role includes advising on research needs related to youth and connecting the Lab with in-country youth organizations as part of research and implementation.