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Capacity Building on Pineapple and Ginger Products Processing and Conservation
Location: Kissidougou
Assignment Number: GUI303
Volunteers Requested: 1
Recruiter: Jennifer Robinson | Jennifer.Robinson@winrock.org | 501.280.3018
Winrock International is seeking a Farmer-to-Farmer volunteer to support a 17-day assignment (including travel) to Kissidougou, Guinea. The volunteer will conduct a training session for the Union of Pineapple and Ginger Producers in Kissidougou (UPAG-K). The training aims to equip participants with the knowledge and skills to process ginger and pineapple effectively.
Guinea
has significant agricultural potential, with natural conditions conducive to cultivating
various agricultural products. Agriculture contributes 20% of GDP and is the
main activity of almost 80% of the rural population. The pineapple sector has
recently been attracting renewed attention from the national authorities and a
number of agricultural development players, given its potential to create jobs
and generate income. Also, ginger is a highly prized product in Guinean
gastronomy.
Many of these products are cut off from markets for part or most of the year, and post-harvest losses are high due to poor agronomic practices, poor post-harvest handling, lack of storage, and poor transportation services. Consequently, large quantities of products are marketed during the harvest season (April-July). During the off-season, fruits and vegetables are in high demand, but farmers do not have the technology to store, process, and deliver them to the market.
The volunteer will:
· Assist the organization in
addressing the challenge of markets distant from production areas, minimizing
or eliminating post-harvest losses, and suggesting storage methods and
transportation options appropriate to the local context.
· Develop a training manual
and PowerPoint on preserving and processing agricultural products, particularly
pineapple and ginger.
The ideal volunteer for this assignment should have the following qualifications and background:
· A university degree and
expertise in food science and nutrition, or a closely related field, are
required for this position.
· In addition, the ideal
candidate will demonstrate the ability to train and impart practical knowledge
to adult learners effectively. Strong written and verbal communication skills
are valuable for this position.
· In addition, a minimum of 5
to 10 years of experience in the economic use of fruit and vegetable processing
equipment in developing countries, particularly in West Africa, is highly
desirable.