by K. Nirmal Ravi KumarAdinan Bahahudeen ShafiwuY. Prabhavathia Department of Agril. Economics, Agricultural College, Bapatla, Acharya NG Ranga Agricultural University (ANGRAU), Government of Andhra Pradesh, Indiab Department of Agricultural and Food Economics, University for Development Studies, Ghanac Institute of Agri-Business Management, S.V. Agricultural College, Tirupati, ANGRAU, Government of Andhra Pradesh, IndiaDr. K. Nirmal Ravi Kumar holding Master’s and Ph.D. degrees in Agricultural Economics, has studied at Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University (ANGRAU). He has a brilliant academic career with specialization in ‘Agricultural Marketing’ both in his post-graduate and doctoral programmes. Dr. Kumar is currently Professor & Head (Agril. Economics) in Agricultural College, Bapatla. He is actively involved both in agricultural research and teaching activities during the past twenty-two years in the ANGRAU. He also worked as Director (Agricultural Marketing) in National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE), Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Government of India. He was the recipient of ‘Sri Mocherla Dattatreyulu Gold Medal’ (2013) and ‘State Best Teacher Award’ (2016). Dr. Kumar has written extensively and has to his credit 10 books, and six (6) published articles in reputable journal of higher impact.Adinan Bahahudeen Shafiwu, is currently a J-Pal African Scholar who has just finished his project on Digitalization of Cocoa Value Chain in Ghana under the DigiFi initiatives. He has worked and participated in J-pal initiatives that involves Randomized Control Trial. As part of his training under J-Pal he participated in both DIWA and Development Methodologies workshops here in Ghana and Morocco-Rabat respectively. He holds a PhD and MPhil in (Agricultural Economics) and also a chartered Health Economics certificates and currently works with the University for Development Studies in the capacity as a lecturer. He is an expert in Adoption Studies, efficiency, welfare and consumption studies. He is into modeling and has deep seated knowledge in econometrics and its models. A good data manager. He has also consulted for Plan International Ghana and Oxfarm on both midline and Baseline survey. He has published over twenty (20) research articles in reputable journals with higher impact. He is Highly regarded for his good leadership, communication, proposal writing, research, and analytical skills. Able to establish, implement and monitor systems for effectiveness and efficiency at organizations.Y. Prabhavathi, currently working as Assistant Professor at Institute of Agribusiness Management (IABM), Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University (ANGRAU). Her areas of specializations include including agribusiness management, agricultural marketing, analysis of agri value chains, models for rural collectivization among farmers, business modeling in agriculture, entrepreneurship and innovation in the agricultural sector, as well as incubation and assessing business performance. She is a recipient of university level gold medals for her academic performance and has received numerous awards, including the prestigious NABARD Citation for Outstanding Doctoral Thesis. Till date she had authored more than 30 research articles in various national international peer reviewed journals, guided around 20 post graduate students specializing in agribusiness management, developed two training manuals aimed at fostering entrepreneurship skills within the agribusiness and food sectors as well as by authoring two book chapters. She is also serving as a resource person in mentoring agricultural startups in incubation centres and national level entrepreneurship training programmes.

by Anisha GiriVijay Raj Giria Department of Agriculture, National Center for Potato, Vegetable and Spice Crops Development, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Government of Nepal, Kathmandu, Nepalb Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan-Dearborn, Dearborn, MI, USAAnisha Giri is an Agrieconomist at the Government of Nepal, working under the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development. She holds a Master’s degree in Agronomy from the Agriculture & Forestry University (AFU), Nepal, as well as a Master’s in Public Administration (MPA) and a Bachelor’s of Science (BSc) degree in Agriculture from Tribhuvan University (T U), Nepal. With seven years of dedicated service, Anisha is now seeking to explore and integrate machine learning and AI techniques in her study. Her other research interests include agribusiness management, consumer behaviour, econometrics, and statistical analysis.Vijay Raj Giri is a doctoral candidate in Mechanical Sciences and Engineering at the University of Michigan-Dearborn and a Graduate Student Research Assistant. He holds an MSc in Renewable Energy Engineering and a Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering from the Pulchowk Campus, Institute of Engineering, Tribhuvan University, along with an MPA from T U. His research focuses on combustion, SI engine modeling, knocking phenomena, phenomenological models, and the application of machine learning in these areas.

by Christopher N. KamauEucabeth B. MajiwaGeoffrey O. OtienoLucy W. Kabuagea Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenyab Department of Animal Sciences, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, KenyaChristopher N. Kamau is a Tutorial Fellow in Kenyatta University and a PhD candidate at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT). He has an extensive research experience with; Kenya Climate Smart Agricultural Projects (KCSAP); Kenya Agricultural Productivity and Agribusiness Project (KAPAP); The Research Foundation for the State University of New York (SUNY); African Agricultural Technologies Foundation (AATF); his professional interest focuses on; agricultural interventions and impact assessment.Eucabeth Majiwa is a Lecturer in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) with over fifteen years’ experience in agricultural economics and agribusiness development.Geoffrey Otieno is a Lecturer in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, JKUAT with over ten years’ experience in agricultural economics and agribusiness development.Lucy. W. Kabuage is an Associate Professor in the Department of Animal Science, Kenyatta University with over thirty years of experience in agricultural research and development and a specialist in animal production.

by Kevin OnyangoLilian W. KariukiChristine G. K. ChegeMark Lundya Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, Africa Hub, Nairobi, Kenyab Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Juja, Kenyac Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, America’s Hub, Cali, ColombiaKevin Onyango is a seasoned researcher with over 10 years of experience in the fields of agricultural research and development; food systems development, market systems analysis, and food environment and consumer behavior. Kevin holds a Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture from the University of Nairobi, Kenya and an M.Sc. in Research methods from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) in Kenya.Dr. Lilian W. Kariuki is an accomplished scientist and academician at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) in Kenya. She has made significant contributions in the field of horticulture, biotechnology and bioinformatics, particularly in the areas of molecular biology and genetics. Dr. Kariuki has been involved in various research projects aimed at addressing agricultural challenges and improving food security in Kenya and beyond. She holds a PhD in Horticultural Science from JKUAT, Kenya.Dr. Christine G. K. Chege is an Agri-Nutrition and Food System Scientist working within the Food Environment and Consumer Behavior (FECB) Research Area. She has over 10 years of progressive experience working on sustainable and healthy diets, nutrition, Agri-Nutrition interventions, market systems, value chains, consumer research, linking farmers to markets, behavioral experiments, and private sector engagement. She has implemented projects in several countries across sub-Saharan Africa (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Malawi, Rwanda, Zambia, Nigeria, Senegal) and Asia (Bangladesh, Vietnam, and Indonesia). Christine has a PhD in Agricultural Economics (with a focus on Agri-Nutrition and food security) from Göttingen University, Germany.Mark Lundy is a Research Director and a senior scientist at the Alliance Bioversity International and CIAT, based in Cali, Colombia where he leads the global Food Environment and Consumer Behavior team. His work focuses on the role of market systems in reducing poverty including learning networks to increase capacities for enterprise development, the role of public agencies to promote inclusive markets and how to establish and sustain effective trading relationships between retailers, traders and farmers. Emerging areas of work include the food environment of traditional markets and low-income consumers, climate resilience and environmental sustainability of food systems, the political economy of food systems and multi-actor platforms to improve decision-making. Mark holds a PhD in Agricultural and Resource Economics from the University of California, Davis.

by Ayele Assefa AdugnaGetachew Neme TolesaSolomon AberaGirma Daba Demea Department of Food Technology and Process Engineering, Haramaya Institute of Technology, Haramaya University, Haramaya, Ethiopiab Department of Food Science and Postharvest Technology, Haramaya Institute of Technology, Haramaya University, Haramaya, EthiopiaAyele Assefa has been a chief technical assistance and researcher at Haramaya University, Ethiopia, for the last five years. His field of specialization is in Food Engineering. His research interests are mostly in the fields of food biotechnology, food processing technology, the production of nutritional and fortified foods for improved life , health and the quality and safety of food. His ultimate focus is to use current technology and scientific research to introduce his people’s traditional food to the rest of the world in a modern style.Getachew Neme Tolesa (PHD) is an associate professor (researcher and lecturer) of Food Science and Postharvest Technology at Haramaya University with over 15 years of experience in teaching and research. He specializes in Food Science and Postharvest Technology. He mainly works and publishes in the areas of postharvest food preservation, postharvest handling, food value addition, food science, food processing, food engineering, food value chain, food safety and nutrition intervention developments research.Solomon Abera (D.Eng) is an associate professor (researcher and lecturer) of Food Engineering at the Department of Food Technology and Process Engineering, Haramaya University, with over 30 years of experience in teaching, research, and development. He specializes in Food Engineering and mainly works and publishes in food engineering, postharvest food preservation, postharvest handling, food value addition, food science, food processing, food engineering, food value chain, food safety and nutrition intervention research and developments.Girma Daba is a lecturer and researcher at the Department of Food Technology and Process Engineering, Haramaya University, with over 10 years of experience in teaching, research, and development. He specializes in Process Engineering and mainly works and publishes in food engineering, waste utilization, food processing and food engineering.

by Pablo Alonso GonzálezEva Parga DansMaría Mercedes Hernández GonzálezPaula Arribas BlázquezAndrea Carolina Acosta DacalOctavio Pérez Luzardoa Life and Earth Sciences Department, Institute of Natural Products and Agrobiology (IPNA-CSIC), Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spainb Department of Clinical Sciences, Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences, ULPGC, 35001 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Spainc Spanish Biomedical Research Center in Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBERObn), Madrid, Spain

by Aminu OsmanMuntala AbdulaiSalim LaminiKwadwo Gyasi Santoa Department of Horticulture and Crop Production, School of Agriculture and Technology, University of Energy and Natural Resources, Dormaa-Ahenkro, Ghanab CSIR-Savanna Agricultural Research Institute, Tamale, GhanaAminu Osman research interest is in fungal diseases of vegetables.Muntala Abdulai research interest is in molecular plant pathology.Salim Lamini research interest is in plant diseases and host resistance.Kwadwo Gyasi Santo research interest is in agronomy and sustainable agriculture.

by Yi ZhangJinxin PangLianmou YaoChunfang WangBingjie ChenQi ZhengYingxiong HuYongjin Qiaoa Shanghai Agricultural Products Preservation and Processing Engineering Technology Research Center, Shanghai, P.R. Chinab Crop Breeding and Cultivating Institute, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, P.R. Chinac Shanghai Shuneng Irradiation Technology Co., Ltd, Shanghai, P.R. ChinaYi Zhang Doctor, Associate Researcher of Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, with research interests in agricultural product processing.Jinxin Pang He is a master’s degree student at Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences (SAAS), with research interests in the processing of agricultural products and the study of specialty functional factors.Lianmou Yao Master’s degree, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, with research interests in agricultural product processing.Chunfang Wang Doctor, assistant researcher of Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, research interests in agricultural products preservation and processing.Bingjie Chen Doctor, Assistant Researcher, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, research interests in agricultural products processing.Qi Zheng Doctor, Assistant Researcher, Shanghai Shuneng Irradiation Technology Co., Ltd, engaged in research, promotion and development services in the preservation and processing of agricultural products.Yingxiong Hu Doctor, Associate Researcher, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, engaged in research related to specialty corn.Yongjin Qiao Doctor, researcher, director of shanghai agricultural products preservation and processing engineering technology research center, mainly engaged in the research of agricultural products preservation and processing.

by Samuel Weldeyohanis KifleSisayYefru DerbeZegeye Tirfe MamoDiriba Shiferaw GeletaSamuel Mezemir YimenuBezawit Seifu WoldegiorgisDekeba Moges TolaAnis DzankovicBernd Müllera Department of Agribusiness and Value chain Management, Arsi University, Asella, Ethiopiab Department of Agricultural Economics, Arsi University, Asella, Ethiopiac Department of Horticulture, Arsi University, Asella, Ethiopiad Department of Food Science and Postharvest Technology, Arsi University, Asella, Ethiopiae Department of International Agricultural Management, Weihenstephan Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences, Freising, GermanySamuel Weldayohanis Kifle is an academic and researcher at Arsi University College of Agriculture and Environmental Science, and he has been a valued member of the institution’s Department of Agribusiness and Value Chain Management Since 2017. Graduating with an MSc degree in Agribusiness and Value Chain Management from Jima University and a BSc degree from Hawassa University in 2011, Samuel’s expertise lies in conducting research on value chain analysis, market orientation, and factors influencing market supply in Ethiopia, with a focus on crops such as coffee malt barley, Potato and Tomato. His research interests extend to value chain finance, market development, price integration, Agricultural entrepreneurial development and others. Since 2021 he was a member of the TOMATO project, funded by DAAD, and he contributes to innovative research initiatives. Additionally, his dedication to entrepreneurship is demonstrated by his training as a Trainer at the Ethiopian Entrepreneurship Development Institute since 2023.SisayYefru Derbe is professionally an Agricultural Economist, and serving as a lecturer and researcher in the department of agricultural economics at college of agriculture and environmental sciences, Arsi University. He holds his MSc and BSc degree in Agricultural Economics from Haramaya University and has a long years of academic and research experience both at Adama Science and Technology University and Arsi University. Moreover, he served as a Coordinator of University-industry Linkage in Arsi University for over four years. Currently, he is offering courses for undergraduate students enrolled at Arsi University and also engaged in different research and community service activities with Arsi University as well as with partner universities both from in country and international. In addition, he is currently in charge of coordinating TOMATO Project which is funded by DAAD since 2021. Furthermore, he was certified by UNDP –UNCTAD for EMPERTEC (Entrepreneurship) Training of Trainers (TOT).Zegeye Tirfe Mamo is an assistant professor of Agricultural Economics at department of Agricultural Economics, School of Agriculture and environmental Science, Arsi University, Ethiopia. He has enough experience in teaching and research. His research interests are topics related to Agricultural Economics such as Economic efficiency, Food Insecurity, Food Quality and Safety, Agricultural Policy, Rural Land planning and Marketing, and Agribusiness Value Chain Management. This paper focused on smallholder farmers, so its finding has an important role as a reference for related research projects that will be conducted somewhere else.Diriba Shiferaw Geleta (Ph.D., Associate Professor of Horticulture) is an academic with a strong focus on agricultural education and research. Currently serving as an Associate Professor at Arsi University’s College of Agriculture and Environmental Science, he previously held the position of Vice Dean for Academic Affairs at the same institution. With expertise in Horticulture, he has actively contributed to the improvement of education quality in the Department of Plant Sciences. He has played a vital role in the potato project, a collaborative effort between Arsi University and Germany’s Weihenstephen University of Applied Sciences, funded by DAAD. He has also made significant contributions to entrepreneurship and agricultural development through his involvement as a trainer in the GIZ project for development. Furthermore, he has been actively engaged in scholarly activities, serving as an Associate Editor and Reviewer for Arsi University Journal of Sciences and Innovations (AJSI) and as a reviewer for the Ethiopian Academy of Sciences (EAS). He is a member of the Ethiopian Horticulture and Coffee Sciences Societies, and his expertise extends to community services and research projects both within Ethiopia and internationally.Samuel Mezemir Yimenu has a Ph.D. in Food Biotechnology from the University of Science and Technology (UST), South Korea, and is currently an Assistant Professor from March 2019–present at the Department of Food Science and Postharvest Technology, Arsi University, Ethiopia. Previously, Head of the Department (April–June, 2014) at Adama Science and Technology University, Ethiopia. Dr. Samuel has published over 12 peer-reviewed journal articles, 6 scientific papers and 5 poster presentations, and is serving as reviewer of different Journals. Besides, he is serving as UIL and Consultancy Coordinator. Team member in DAAD project ‘TOMATO-project-2021–2024’, Chairperson of Postgraduate Committee (since 2021), and research ethical committee (since 2019). Samuel has consulted LVIA–on the performance evaluation of different prototypes of photovoltaic cell-assisted solar dryers’, on storage and processing of fresh vegetables and fruits (January–March, 2022). His research areas include sustainable food systems, traditional foods bioprocessing and commercialization, food safety, quality, and shelf-life management, Time-Temperature monitoring techniques and prediction modeling.Bezayit Seifu Woldegiorgis is a Lecturer and researcher at the Food Science and Post-Harvest Technology department in Arsi University. She has worked in teaching, research and consultancy for more than eight (8) years. Her research interest is on postharvest technology and value addition of agricultural commodities.Dekeba Moges Tola (Ph.D. candidate) is a senior lecturer of Food Science and Technology in Arsi University. As his own research activities, he was and is working in different research activities including: post-harvest loss reduction through cost effective postharvest technologies, process optimization for diverse and balanced nutrients food products, and currently working on exploring underutilized crops toward food and nutrition security as his PhD research work. As a group, he is working on Harnessing of efficient vegetable and fruit production, processing and marketing systems of which our current Article is part of it, and Performance Evaluation of different solar drier technologies for adding value to vegetables and expanding market opportunity.Anis Dzankovic has master’s degree Agriculture, Agriculture Operations, and Related Sciences. He is a member of Tomato project at Germany.Bernd Müller (Ph.D.) has been the deputy head of the International School since February 2021. In this role, he focuses on the establishment and implementation of further education programmes. In a team with nine colleagues, he manages research and exchange projects with partner universities in Africa and Southeast Asia. He is also responsible for lectures in the study programmes on agriculture and international agricultural management at the Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences (HSWT). His research focus is on food supply chain management. Before joining HSWT in 2018, he finalised his doctoral thesis on agricultural policy at the University of Gießen and managed two agricultural farms in southern Germany. He also worked as a managing director and advisor on organic farming for an organic growers’ association in Germany.

by Abebaw Teshome TirunehGetnet Mekuria MengieAbebaw Ayele Negatua Department of Food Engineering Program, Bahir Dar Institute of Technology, Bahir Dar, Ethiopiab Department of Applied Human Nutrition Program, Bahir Dar Institute of Technology, Bahir Dar, Ethiopiac Department of Postharvest Technology Program, Bahir Dar Institute of Technology, Bahir Dar, EthiopiaAbebaw Teshome Tiruneh is employed as a senior lecturer in the Department of Food Engineering, Bahir Dar University, Institute of Technology, Ethiopia. His research experience includes postharvest management, grain science and technology, food fortification, food product development and preservation, and value additions.Getnet Mekuria Mengie is a senior lecturer in the Department of Applied Human Nutrition, Bahir Dar University, Institute of Technology, Ethiopia. His research interst is nutrition and public health.Abebaw Ayele Negatu is a lecturer in Food Engineering Department at Bahir Dar Institute of Technology, Bahir Dar University, Ethiopia. He conducts research in Food Processing, Postharvest Technology, Food Preservation, Nutrition, and New Food Product Development.