Presentation given by Lusike Wasilwa of KARI at the 2013 annual meeting.

The presentation covers background information on yield gaps, population growth and informal economies in several African countries. The subject of climate change and the potential effects of floods and droughts, pests and diseases, land degradation on food security and human health are discussed.  High postharvest losses and narrowing the gap of postharvest losses is presented. Policy guidelines and prospects for domestic and export horticulture are explored, some ideas presented are: greenhouse production, use of pollinators, macadamia nut production and the commercialization and utilization of under utilized crops, including African indigenous vegetables. Lastly, the production data along the value chain, productivity and market challenges are presented as factors under the policy/institutional and resources/physical environments.