Guinea: an example of training to strengthen skills in local production processing

As part of the Agriéco project (ENABEL), COLEAD recently organised a face-to-face group training session on pineapple processing and good hygiene practices for stakeholders from pineapple clusters in Guinea. This initiative forms part of COLEAD’s support to the implementation of action plans developed following the diagnostic and design phases of the clusters.

The training took place in Kindia from 21 to 24 April 2026 and brought together 11 participants holding key roles within processing units, including managers, production managers, hygiene officers, and processing assistants.

The objective was to strengthen participants’ technical capacities across several key areas:

• mastering the basic principles of pineapple processing (drying, juice, jams, etc.)
• identifying internal and external factors affecting the operation of processing units and managing their impacts
• applying good hygiene and quality practices throughout the value chain, from transport to processing and packaging
• understanding the principles of the HACCP method and its key concepts

The training combined theoretical inputs with practical exercises, including demonstrations carried out directly in local processing units. Participants were able to handle equipment, follow the different stages of processing, and become familiar with hygiene, quality, and traceability requirements.

This capacity-building effort is expected to improve the quality of processed products, thereby facilitating access to new markets and enhancing the value of the local pineapple sector.

Through this initiative, COLEAD illustrates its commitment to supporting horticultural value chains in adopting proven and sustainable practices, strengthening the competitiveness and resilience of agri-food value chains in Guinea.

The Agriéco project, implemented in Guinea with financial support from the Belgian Development Agency (ENABEL). This publication was produced with financial support from ENABEL. Its contents are the sole responsibility of COLEAD and cannot in any way be considered to reflect the official position of ENABEL.