Larry Holder, Novo Farms (Trinidad & Tobago) : from caribbean kitchens to global shelves: scaling local food innovation with novo farms
- 25/03/2026
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
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Standing at the intersection of Caribbean food culture and modern food innovation is Larry Holder, Public Relations Executive at Novo Farms, a fast-growing Trinidad and Tobago manufacturer reshaping how regional ingredients reach the world. With over 15 years’ experience in business development and a professional foundation in marketing and public relations, Larry is among a new generation of entrepreneurs and industry leaders positioning the Caribbean’s food identity on supermarket shelves across the globe. Novo Farms is the company behind LIFE,… +Linette Wawira (Kenya), “By focusing on quality and consistency, we were able to build trust and repeat business.”
- 25/03/2026
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
Linette Wawira founded Jiwa Farm Export Limited in Kenya during the COVID-19 lockdown, the objective was straightforward: supply fresh, reliable produce to local households. What began as a small grocery initiative has since grown into a GLOBAL G.A.P.-certified agribusiness serving both local retailers and international markets. Jiwa Farm is now specialised in the production, processing, and export of fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs, including Asian vegetables, French beans, sugar snaps, butter nuts, and onions. From the outset, the company prioritised… +Action Learning Exchange (ALE) 2026: strengthening alliances to accelerate Africa’s transition towards competitive, integrated and sustainable agri-food systems
- 25/03/2026
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
On 10–11 March 2026 in London, COLEAD participated in the Action Learning Exchange (ALE) 2026, a workshop organised by FCDO, AGRA and Frontier Intelligences. The event brought together public and private stakeholders around a shared objective: accelerating Africa’s transition towards competitive, integrated and sustainable agri-food systems. Four key priorities emerged from the discussions: developing local value addition to move beyond raw commodity exports, advancing trade integration through the effective implementation of the AfCFTA, strengthening sustainable partnerships between African producers and… +Enhanced dialogue with Latin American embassies on EU regulations : highlighting upcoming challenges for agri-food exports
- 25/03/2026
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
On March 18th AGRINFO had a meeting with the Embassies of the Latin American Countries in Brussels. The meeting took place at the Argentinean official residence, with welcome words delivered by the Ambassador Fernando Iglesias. Representatives from 13 embassies, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Panama, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay attended the event. This was a valuable opportunity to exchange in person on EU regulatory developments that will be implemented in the near future… +Strengthening dialogue with African embassies on EU regulations: highlighting upcoming challenges for agri-food exports
- 25/03/2026
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
As part of the AGRINFO programme, COLEAD organised a dynamic exchange with African embassies in Brussels on 17 March 2026 on key regulatory issues affecting the agri-food trade “Update on Key EU Regulations for African Agri-food Exports”. AGRINFO aims to support low- and middle-income countries, in anticipating and preparing for all changes to EU rules. The event, bringing together 12 African embassies, gave in-depth insights into policy areas such as pesticide residues, mineral oil hydrocarbons, the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence… +CPM-20 in Rome: contributing to global phytosanitary discussions
- 25/03/2026
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
From 9 to 13 March 2026, COLEAD participated in the 20th Session of the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM), held at FAO headquarters in Rome. The event brought together the global phytosanitary community to discuss plant health, international standards, innovation, and safe trade. On 10 March, during the poster session, Thomas Lopes presented research carried out by COLEAD’s Research & Innovation Brokerage team on hot water phytosanitary treatment for controlling fruit flies in West African mango exports. This contribution is… +Launch of a new MOOC dedicated to helping agri-entrepreneurs adapt to climate change
- 25/03/2026
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
In March, the COLEAD Training Department launched a new Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) entitled “agri-entrepreneurs facing climate change: innovating, adapting, financing solutions.” This initiative reflects COLEAD’s commitment to strengthening the capacities of agri-food stakeholders in response to the growing challenges posed by climate change. Developed under the FFM+ programme, this course offers a practical perspective on how climate change affects agricultural businesses, with a focus on solutions that enable innovation, adaptation, and enhanced resilience of agri-food systems. It is… +Looking back at fruit logistica 2026: key trends in sustainability, innovation and market opportunities
- 25/03/2026
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
The COLEAD took part last February in the international trade fair Fruit Logistica as part of its FFM+ and AGRINFO programmes. At Fruit Logistica 2026, several structuring trends emerged, confirming the ongoing transformation of the fruit and vegetable sector. Sustainability, logistics, technological innovation and market dynamics are shaping current priorities. Sustainability remains central but is shifting towards concrete implementation. Stakeholders highlighted the complexity of existing frameworks and the need for clearer standards capable of demonstrating tangible results, particularly in terms… +Sustainable management of organic waste: from training to action, an example from Burkina faso
- 25/03/2026
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
Last December, COLEAD organised a training session in Bobo Dioulasso (Burkina Faso) focused on the sustainable management and valorisation of organic waste, as part of the Fit For Market Plus (FFM+) programme. The session aimed to enable participating partners to design and implement waste management plans tailored to their activities, while promoting environmentally friendly practices. Participants came from companies with diverse profiles (production, processing, quality, and agricultural advisory services). Combining theoretical input, group work, and a field visit to a… +Waste management – Malawi Mangoes adopts a circular, efficient and value-creating management model
- 25/03/2026
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
As part of the Fit For Market Plus (FFM+) programme, the COLEAD supported Malawi Mangoes (MM) through a strategic mission aimed at transforming its waste management system from a linear and costly approach into a circular, efficient and value-creating model. Implemented between September and November 2025, the mission followed a structured approach, from the initial diagnostic to the co-development of a comprehensive operational strategy. The assessment carried out on the Matumba and Dzuwa farms, as well as at the Salima… +