Regenerative and Sustainable Agriculture

Conducting Measurements for Farm and Storage Loss for Corn and Soy in the American Midwest | World Wildlife Fund USA

The project aimed to enhance understanding of postharvest loss in the domestic commodity crop sector, particularly during handling and farm storage of corn and soybeans in the US Midwest. Through this project, ABA employed the Commodity Systems Assessment Methodology (CSAM) to quantify corn and soybean losses from a sampled selection of farms and storage facilities, and conducted surveys among farmers

International Food Loss and Waste Hotspots and Business Models | USAID/USDA| USA

An applied research project created actionable knowledge products to drive investments in Food Loss and Waste (FLW) reduction. ABA developed a Food Loss and Waste Value Selection Guide to educate stakeholders on prioritizing value chains using FLW criteria. Additionally, ABA crafted case studies analyzing drivers of food loss and waste, impactful solutions, innovative partnerships, and enabling conditions across various value chains and global contexts. The project also provided illustrative business models for promising interventions that are profitable, scalable, and effective in reducing food waste, loss, and greenhouse gas emissions.

Reducing Postharvest Losses in Rwanda | Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Horticulture/ USAID| Rwanda

ABA partnered with key Rwandan stakeholders to enhance food security by minimizing postharvest losses in horticulture. This three-year project assesses losses in tomatoes, green bananas, chilies, and sweet potatoes, and scales up innovative solutions through Postharvest Training & Services Centers. We deploy cutting-edge technologies like Coolbot cold rooms, Zero Energy Cool Chambers, solar dryers, and promote best practices. By fostering local entrepreneurship through innovation competitions and mentoring, we ensure sustainable postharvest management, guaranteeing nutritious food reaches Rwandan communities.

Developing Postharvest Loss Assessments Methodology in Maize and Tomatoes| World Bank | Rwanda, Nigeria, and India

Conducted postharvest loss assessments for corn and tomatoes. These studies have been published in peer-reviewed journals

Leader’s Quest with Rockefeller Foundation for Postharvest | Rockefeller Foundation

Gill co-organized and participated in the Rockefeller Foundation’s Leader’s Quest, exploring postharvest solutions in Africa. A diverse team of 23 experts evaluated innovative postharvest models in India for potential adaptation in Africa. Through ideation and cross-industry learning, the quest identified viable solutions for agribusiness. This initiative informed the Rockefeller Foundation’s USD 70 million postharvest program in Africa, driving meaningful impact.

Improving Postharvest Practices for Tomatoes in Burkina Faso | Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Horticulture/USAID | Burkina Faso

A two-year project in Burkina Faso enhances postharvest handling, storage, processing, and marketing of tomatoes. The project conducted a market assessment to identify primary causes of postharvest losses and explore new marketing opportunities. Collaborations with ACDI/VOCA’s VIM project and Catholic Relief Services built postharvest capacity among horticulture specialists. A Postharvest Training & Services Center (PTSC) was established for adaptive research on handling and storage technologies and improved processing techniques. The project promotes technology adoption through local agri-entrepreneur partnerships, grants competitions, and conferences, and conducts participatory trials with farmers on seed varieties for rainy-season planting.

Developing a WWF Food Loss Reduction Strategic Approach in Africa | World Wildlife Fund Africa | Zimbabwe, Zambia, Cameroon, and Tanzania

Using a participatory approach and value chain framework, ABA developed a Food Loss Reduction strategy and project concepts with operational work plans for WWF in Central, East, and Southern Africa. WWF’s priority landscapes included the KAZA region (Zimbabwe and Zambia, focusing on horticulture), TRIDOM (Cameroon, focusing on palm oil), and SOKNOT (Tanzania, focusing on horticulture). ABA’s work highlighted opportunities, needs, and challenges in reducing postharvest losses, identified impactful solutions, and clarified WWF’s contribution, building on existing projects in Africa. The project also engaged facility managers to understand root causes of losses and revealed regional variations in losses and barriers to reduction.

Increasing Adoption of Cold Rooms | Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Horticulture/USAID | Bangladesh

ABA conducted training for innovative technology adopters of Coolbot powered Cold Rooms, for Horticulture Innovation Lab, using principles of behavioral science to catalyze accelerated commercialization

Sustainability Strategy for Postharvest Centers | Tanzania

ABA collaborated with World Food Logistics Organization (WFLO) to develop a sustainability strategy for Tanzania’s Postharvest Centers. Following project implementation, ABA evaluated the centers’ sustainability through stakeholder interviews. This assessment informed a tailored strategy for sustainable operations, ensuring the centers’ continued success and impact in reducing postharvest losses and enhancing agricultural productivity in Tanzania.