is a Distinguished Professor at Stellenbosch University, South Africa, where holds the DST-NRF South African Research Chair in Postharvest Technology.

He is a member of the Academy of Science of South Africa, Honorary Vice President of the International Commission of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering and member of the Executive Committee of the International Society for Horticultural Science.

His most recent activities focus on high-level capacity building for agricultural transformation and value addition, with special emphasis on Africa, through research on innovative postharvest technologies to reduce losses, maintain quality and facilitate trade.

Prof. Opara is a chartered agricultural engineer and certified food scientist, and has held academic and management positions at Massey University in New Zealand and Sultan Qaboos University in Oman.

He has consulted widely on postharvest technology and agricultural development in different continents for international development agencies, and is the founding editor-in-chief of the International Journal of Postharvest Technology & Innovation.