Rapid urbanization in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has resulted in an increase in demand for food. Almost 33% of the SSA population, close to 200 million people, is undernourished. Fruit and vegetable consumption in SSA remains 22-82% below the intake value threshold of 400 g/day recommended by the World Health Organization and Food and Agricultural Organization. This severe malnutrition leads to many chronic diseases among the populations. Vegetable growers, mainly small holders are poor and have no access to inputs for improved germplasm, pest and disease control tools, and improved crop production techniques. Vegetable farms are routinely devastated by pests and extended drought conditions. We propose to harness alternative pest management techniques, micro-climate modifications, and growers' education and training to improve smallscale vegetable production in East and West Africa1,2,3.