Project

Innovative approaches for safe food production

Food safety is one of the pillars of food security. The solutions for ensuring safe food in Kenya forms the basis of this refresher course, held at Egerton University, Kenya, for international participants. Innovative ideas are developed and implemented back in the respective countries.

Many emerging economies are struggling with market access to the economically important markets such as the EU but also growing their own markets. Major issues are pesticide residues (MRLs), mycotoxins but also compliance to phytosanitary regulations. Often this is due to a combination of poor training of farmers, influential pesticide companies and weak public institutions. Apart from the international market, upcoming economies have a growing middle class that is becoming aware of food safety issues.

The role of women in food production

A clear understanding of the challenges of achieving food safety among the emerging economies, provide the participants an opportunity to take active roles in building the capacity of the players along the value chains, as well as influence policy both at national and regional level. This facilitates the inclusion of all players, and especially women, in the agrifood chain in both the discussion as well as action in developing of sustainable food systems in the said economies.

It is extremely important to recognise the role of women play as major actors in food production in emerging economies, as they play a critical role in food safety and nutrition. Food safety and entrepreneurship are essential topics for women when becoming major players in emerging markets.

The cost of unsafe food and its effect on the nutritious value of food are often underestimated. Making opportunities from the threats food safety hazards pose, empower the emerging economies by being actively involved in the dialogue and necessary action. This refresher course tackles these issues with participants from fifteen emerging countries.

Strengthening insights

The course aims to enhance the participants' knowledge and ability to identify and solve problems in food safety. The programme specifically addresses the following objectives:

  • to increase the participants knowledge on recent developments in food safety, good agricultural practices, and innovative approaches in enhancing safe food production;
  • to assess opportunities and challenges for the development of sustainable safe food production through participatory methods and stakeholder analysis;
  • to provide opportunity for exchange of experiences and development of new ideas between participating professionals.