Capacity building – setting up a documented food safety management system

Over recent months, COLEACP has been piloting a remote training approach to provide capacity building for Nigerian consultants on setting up and managing a documented food safety management system that is compliant with international food safety standards, in this case with a practical focus on GLOBALG.A.P. option 1 for operators in the fruit and vegetables sector (V.5.2). The training uses a combination of asynchronous remote learning via COLEACP’s existing e-learning modules, combined with specific synchronous training sessions to dive deeper into the practical applications.

Capacity building for producers who supply export, regional or local markets enables them to improve operational efficiencies and provide better guarantees for the safety of their products. For sustainable systems, it is also important also to consider the wider environment of these SME producers. Strengthening the skills of service providers that directly support horticultural companies, producers and smallholder farmers can have multiplier effects on good practices within the sector.

COLEACP has developed a training system specifically to strengthen the capacity of local consultants and service providers. It covers both technical content and skills in training-of-trainers, and is based on COLEACP’s suite of training materials (manuals, guides, brochures, e-learning routes, etc.). Under the Fit For Market programme, various Nigerian service providers have participated in COLEACP’s capacity building activities, including training-of-trainers, field training workshop methodology, COLEACP’s Self-Assessment System, and other group training.