Knowledge for a sustainable world

Rick Hodges

Dr Peter Greenhalgh, Marketing Economist and former colleague at NRI, has been awarded the title of Visiting Fellow. Having worked for many years with what was then the Economics and Marketing Department at NRI, he is a recognized expert on agricultural markets, including tree crops, horticultural products, essential oils and spices and many other tropical commodities.

Peter's work on essential oils (especially mint) in the late 1970s and Ethiopian horticulture production, especially roses, from 2002-06 has had significant positive repercussions in India and Ethiopia; raising incomes and improving the livelihoods of thousands of people. Today Peter runs the International Federation of Essential Oils and Aroma Trades annual conference programme, the major global event for flavour and fragrance traders.

Few others have worked on the range of commodities and in the variety of countries that grace Peter's CV. He says "I look forward to re-establishing collaboration with my former colleagues at NRI and the University of Greenwich."

rick hodges fullAt the same time, Dr Rick Hodges, a postharvest entomologist at NRI, has been awarded a Visiting Professorship. He says "The award of a visiting professorship is recognition of my continuing role within the Natural Resources Institute, working in an area that is crucial to the food supply of developing countries."

Rick has a lifetime of experience in grain management in developing countries, focusing on the postharvest management of cereals to address the food supply issues of smallholder farmers. His work brings him into close collaboration with the UN World Food Programme, the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission and many others who turn to him for advice on food supply systems. He has recently led the development of the 'African Post Harvest Losses Information System' (APHLIS), an innovative network to quantify cereal losses in Africa.