Post-Harvest Innovation Learning Alliance (PHILA)

Zimbabwe

PHILA-Zimbabwe was first launched at an inception workshop held at the Institute of Agricultural Engineering Training Centre, Hatfield, Harare, from the 10th to 12th May, 2005 (workshop report; PDF-830 KB). In addition to enabling participants to endorse the establishment of the learning alliance the workshop also provided the opportunity for them to register their interest in a number of proposed research activities focusing on the interface of post-harvest supply and demand.

The research activities, referred to here as case studies, were initially identified by the management team (MT), with some modifications being made at the inception workshop. Draft terms of reference (TOR) were iteratively developed by the MT before their distribution to PHILA’s membership. The general pattern was that those individuals who had already expressed interest and/or had demonstrated a good grasp of the challenge of particular case studies, were identified or identified themselves, and were encouraged to develop proposals. The process typically involved meetings with the country coordinator before commissions were awarded, and generally took several weeks. The case studies are set out below.

Case Study 2. Interface and comparative analyses: public service providers & farmers; farmer-centred organisations & farmers.	Case Study 3. District nodal studies: Buhera and Binga districts.
Case Study 4. Exploring empowerment initiatives.	Case Study 5. Household enquiry visits: learning to listen, and listening to learn.
Case Study 8. Reviewing policy & associated processes to better understand the implications for PH practice.	Case Study 9. The agro-processing industry: opportunities and constraints for small-scale farmers.

Presentation of the case study findings for review took place at the PHILA Review Workshop, Mandel Training Centre, near Harare, 13 - 14 December 2005 (workshop report, PDF-1024 KB; participants).