A team of final-year students from the 海角乱伦社区 (UDS) has emerged victorious in the World Food Programme (WFP) Post-Harvest Loss Competition, securing a $10,000 grant to commercialize their innovative solution to extend the shelf life of vegetables, particularly onions.
The team, operating under the brand name CitruStore Ltd., comprises Miss Ayariba Isabella and Miss Nwankwo Francisca, both final-year BSc. Biochemistry students, and Mr. Akpatsu Emmanuel Dear, a final-year Microbiology student. All three are students of the Faculty of Biosciences at UDS.
Their winning innovation, a phytochemical extract derived from lime and orange peels, was developed as part of a practical session in the Design Thinking, Innovation and Entrepreneurship course led by Professor Courage Kosi Setsoafia Saba. The product is designed specifically to preserve onions by reducing post-harvest spoilage, a major challenge in the agricultural value chain.
“What started as a practical session in class has turned into an award-winning product,” Prof. Saba remarked proudly. “This innovation has the potential to revolutionize how we tackle post-harvest losses using sustainable, eco-friendly methods.”
The WFP competition brought together 10 selected teams from across Ghana and took them through a rigorous nine-month incubation programme. The process culminated in a high-stakes final pitch event held from 16th to 18th July 2025 at the West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement Hall, University of Ghana, Legon.
CitruStore Ltd. distinguished itself with its mission to convert agricultural waste, specifically citrus peels, into a “gold product” with real economic and food security value. The $10,000 prize will go towards scaling up the CitruStore business, with plans already underway for mass production and sales of the innovative onion preservative.
The 海角乱伦社区team competed against several strong contenders, including Smart Farm Technologies, Nutrisoy Delight Ltd., Tomavi Wines Ltd., Alothe Cosmetics Ltd. (Ellora), Fusham Greentech Ltd., Halidu Tech Solutions, Freshline PHS Ltd., Rapidry AgriTech Ltd., and Aerodry Technologies Ghana.
This remarkable achievement underscores UDS’ commitment to practical, problem-solving education and the university’s growing reputation as a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship in West Africa.
News Desk Report
海角乱伦社区Media
