Achieving more with less – the case of Malawi
The positive increase in the number of FFM+ applications received by COLEAD from Malawi since the launch of the programme in the country illustrates the dynamism of the country’s private and public sectors. Another factor is the involvement of the Malawian Embassy in Brussels, which has disseminated information about the programme, to the Malawi Investment & Trade Centre, which has played an important role in promoting FFM+ to potential partner… +
Flashback 2003: “Working with small producers in Kenya”
“We are at a crossroads” says Charles Muchiri, the Managing Director of Avenue Fresh Produce.
Source : PIP magazine, September 2003
“We are at a crossroads,” says Charles Muchiri, the Managing Director of Avenue Fresh Produce. “The outgrowers we work with are not well trained and we don’t know whether to continue working with them. If somebody helped us to train them and sensitise them on the requirements of our… +
Marketing trends: feedback from recent international trade fairs
Exploring the latest innovations in agri-food systems
As part of the Fit For Market Plus programme, the COLEAD Market Insights team recently travelled to two key events in the global agri-food calendar: Fruit Attraction in Madrid and SIAL in Paris. These shows showcased new developments that illustrate how the industry is evolving.
Global trends driving change
As highlighted in SIAL Insights 2024, three major trends are influencing consumer behaviour: Feel: A renewed… +
Innovation in action: tackling post-harvest diseases in dasheen in St Vincent and the Grenadines”
In St Vincent & the Grenadines, dasheen (taro) is more than a crop – it is a cornerstone of local agriculture and a major export commodity. However, post-harvest fungal diseases have posed significant challenges to maintaining quality during export, threatening market access and economic stability for farmers. To address this issue, COLEAD, in collaboration with ECTAD CARIBBEAN, the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI)… +
Seizing emerging opportunities: organic and bio-organic fertilizers for advancing soil health in Africa
As part of its role in the multi-partner DeSIRA LIFT programme, COLEAD works closely with African research institutions and companies to promote sustainable agriculture and food systems. In particular, soil health.
The potential of biofertilisers to improve soil health in Africa was a key theme at this year’s African Fertiliser and Soil Health Summit (AFSHS), organised by the African Union and held in Nairobi, Kenya, from… +
Engaging young people in agriculture
A webinar to inspire and prepare the next generation, especially in horticulture
On 21 November 2024, COLEAD organised an exceptional webinar in the framework of the FFM+ programme to address a crucial issue: how to attract and mobilise young talent to boost the horticultural sector and build a sustainable future? With a predominantly young population in Africa and a median age of only 18.3 years, the potential for revitalising this key sector is immense.… +
COLEAD at ‘Online Educa Berlin 2024’: innovation and partnership on the agenda
As part of the Fit for Market+ (FFM+) programme, COLEAD continues to pave the way for sustainable advances in the horticultural sector of OACPS member countries. From 25 November to 7 December 2024, COLEAD undertook a mission combining participation in Online Educa Berlin (OEB) and strategic sessions at its Brussels office.
This mission, led by Géraud Gnanga, Project Manager in the Training Department, reflects COLEAD’s commitment to… +
Towards 2030: COLEAD and its partners unite to define the strategy of the association that will accelerate impact on the SDGs
On the 4th of December 2024, COLEAD’s board of directors, management and financial partners gathered in a Consultative Committee (CC) meeting to lay the foundations for the definition of COLEAD’s strategy for 2030, the date that will serve as the global reference point for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Building on its experience and strengths, COLEAD’s ambition… +
Changes to EU and GB pesticide maximum residue levels
COLEAD’s monitoring of pesticide regulations covers maximum residue limit (MRL) changes in both the EU and Great Britain (GB). Note that EU MRLs still apply in Northern Ireland (GB covers only England, Scotland, and Wales). During the period August-November 2024, we have been highlighting significant changes to EU MRLs that affect 23 active substances, 12 of which are important for ACP export horticulture. During this same period, 10 changes to GB… +
EU and GB approval changes
COLEAD’s Regulation Monitoring covers both European Union (EU) and Great Britain (GB) approval changes. Note that EU approvals still apply in Northern Ireland. Great Britain is the mainland comprising England, Scotland and Wales.
The European Commission (EC) has recently published changes to 22 plant protection product (PPP) approvals within the EU, of which 11 are important for ACP horticulture. These include: Extension of the approval period for azoxystrobin, chlorantraniliprole, imazalil, kresoxim, tefluthrin and Paecilomyces fumosoroseus… +
COLEAD joins Kampani: a strategic partnership to bolster sustainable development goals
We are pleased to announce that COLEAD has become a shareholder in Kampani, an impact-focused investment fund specializing in long term financing of SMEs and cooperatives in the agri-sector. This strategic alignment supports our mission to amplify the agricultural sector’s contribution to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (S DGs). Kampani addresses the investment needs of businesses in the “missing middle”, offering funding between €100,000 and €500,000, with… +
Jane Maina inspires us and you?
Since 2006, Jane Maina has been the Managing Director of Vert Ltd, a Kenyan company specialising in the production and export of fresh and processed produce (mainly to the EU and the USA). The company sells its vegetables (green beans, snow peas, baby corn, baby carrots, etc.) and dried mangoes on the international market. In 2019, Jane has decided to diversify and expand into the production of mango and passion fruit pulp for… +
Registration of the 1,000th application received under the FFM+ programme
We are thrilled to announce the milestone achievement of receiving the 1000th application for support through the FFM+ programme. This request exemplifies the growing impact of the programme, which continues to play a crucial role in providing technical assistance and fostering inclusive and sustainable growth in the agricultural sector of the member countries of the OACPS, particularly those in sub-Saharan Africa.
The 1000th request was made by a small,… +
Tackling an epidemic that is wiping out ginger production in Nigeria: an example of a successful progressive and participatory approach
In response to a devastating disease outbreak that has wiped out 85% of ginger production in Kaduna State, Nigeria, COLEAD has worked under FFM+ with local and international partners to develop a phased strategy to mitigate the impact and restore ginger production.
Ginger is an important economic crop for Nigeria. Kaduna is the hub of Nigeria’s ginger production, known… +
Rome, 7-11 October 2024: COLEAD and IPPC (FAO) join forces to strengthen national phytosanitary systems
The COLEAD IPPC workshop, held in Rome from 7 to 11 October 2024, brought together 46 participants, including PCE (Phytosanitary Capacity Evaluation) Facilitators, National PCE Coordinators and Heads of National Plant Protection Organizations (NPPOs) (12 online and 34 face-to-face). The focus was on sharing best practices and promoting peer-to-peer learning, while working together on the development of nine projects from Djibouti, Egypt, Eswatini, Malawi,… +
West Africa: strategic support for the regional association AOCTAH
The Association Ouest Africaine du Commerce Transfrontalier des Produits Alimentaires, Agro-sylvo-pastoraux et Halieutiques (AOCTAH), based in Togo, is an umbrella association of private socio-professional organisations in the agro-sylvo-pastoral and fisheries sectors whose members are involved in the marketing of food or agro-sylvo-pastoral and fisheries products in or between ECOWAS countries and CILSS.
AOCTAH has a multifaceted mission: (i) to promote solidarity in food and nutrition security and trade in the… +
Unfair Trading Practices (UTPs) in the agricultural and food supply chain : annual survey
Since the adoption of Directive 2019/633 on Unfair Trading Practices (UTP), the Commission has carried out four annual surveys of food chain operators’ experiences regarding UTP. The main findings of these earlier surveys are: 75% of respondents to the survey have experienced at least one UTP, with 11% experiencing more than five UTP
UTPs were most frequently experienced in the context of sales to wholesalers… +
OECD-COLEAD cooperation on marketing standards for fresh fruit and vegetables
COLEAD continues to strengthen its collaboration with international partners, as demonstrated by its active participation in the recent OECD training session held in Mojmirovce, Slovakia from 17-19 September 2024. This event, organised under the OECD Scheme for the Application of Marketing Standards for Fresh Fruit and Vegetables, focuses on harmonising quality control practices in the sector, a critical aspect of ensuring fair and transparent trade in global markets.
The OECD… +
Ethiopia: more partnerships for more impact
COLEAD’s recent mission to Ethiopia under FFM+ made significant progress in addressing key challenges and opportunities in the Ethiopian horticulture sector. With a focus on improving sustainability, business linkages and regulatory compliance, the mission was an important step in preparing the ground for additional support from 2025 onwards.
Priority areas identified
During the mission, COLEAD identified several priority areas that will shape its future interventions in Ethiopia. These include : Capacity building for… +
Flashback 2005 : “Training Knowledge without bounds”
Source PIP Magazine n°8, November 2005
“Training is one of the main priorities of PIP in its capacity-building actions for companies and for the ACP horticultural network as a whole. To date, more than 700 people have participated in collective and in-company training sessions organised by the PIP Training Unit, and 130 consultants in several countries have received a training of trainers .
“Knowledge should know no bounds,” declares Edward Ngenga, casting… +
Strengthening university-business partnerships in Africa to scale up capacity building for innovation
The Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM), established in 2004, is a consortium of 170 universities from 40 African countries. Its secretariat is based at Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda. RUFORUM supports the African Union in the implementation of the African Union Strategy on Science, Technology and Innovation. Learn more: https://www.ruforum.org/
The collaboration between DeSIRA LIFT Area 2, implemented by COLEAD in partnership with the… +
AGRINFO Webinars: a gateway to EU regulatory insights for partner countries
As part of COLEAD’s efforts to strengthen the agri-food sectors in low- and middle-income countries, the AGRINFO programme, funded by the European Union, has been organising a series of webinars to provide stakeholders with critical information on evolving EU regulations and standards. These webinars are essential tools for helping partner countries navigate the complex regulatory landscape and ensure their agricultural exports remain competitive in EU markets.
The AGRINFO… +
DO NOT WAIT TO REGISTER! Malawi-EU Investment Forum – 26-28 November 2024 – Lilongwe & Online
Closing of the registration: 20th November 2024
The objective of the Malawi-EU Investment Forum (MEIF) is to mobilise sustainable investment in Malawi while enhancing Malawi-EU trade. The main goal is to showcase the economic opportunities and sustainable investment potential that exist in Malawi, fostering a dynamic environment conducive to mutual growth and collaboration.
The forum will take place in Lilongwe, Malawi, from … +
Colombia: 100 private sector representatives mobilised to better understand EU regulatory changes
On 24 September, COLEAD, in collaboration with PROCOLOMBIA, a government agency linked to the Colombian Ministry of Trade, Industry and Tourism, presented the AGRINFO programme to around 100 participants from the Colombian agrifood sector. These representatives of exporting companies in the agricultural sector were given full details of this EU-funded programme, which provides partner beneficiaries with continuously updated information on EU regulatory changes affecting the agricultural sector… +