Boosting agrifood research and innovation cooperation for impact at scale – Conference report
- 03/11/2025
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
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Please find the report of the conference “Boosting agrifood research and innovation cooperation for impact at scale” which took place in Brussels (11-13 March 2025) financed by the European Commission under the DeSIRA initiative. To effectively contribute to desirable agrifood systems transformation in this time of poly-crisis, investments in R&I are more than ever required and need to be done in partnership. The R&I orientation for food systems transformation was discussed with a focus on innovative approaches such as agroecology,… +Integrating gender for inclusive growth – COLEAD strengthens its commitment to equality and empowerment
- 03/11/2025
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
More than 150 participants joined COLEAD’s webinar “Integrating Gender for Inclusive Growth” last month, an interactive session focused on the central role of gender equality in building sustainable and resilient agri-food systems. The event, opened by COLEAD chairman Stephen Mintah and General Delegate Jeremy Knops, explored practical approaches to mainstream gender at all levels: individual, organisational, and systemic. International expert Kerry Kyd (South Africa) delivered a dynamic presentation on gender-related risks and opportunities in operations, encouraging participants to reflect on… +Digital technology serving agricultural training: COLEAD’s participation in MoodleMoot Nigeria
- 03/11/2025
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
Held in Abuja, MoodleMoot Nigeria brought together the African Moodle community — educators, researchers, developers, EdTech actors, and institutions — to share best practices and strengthen the quality of online education and training across the continent. The conference focused on how digital technologies and innovation in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) can transform learning, foster inclusion, and build more resilient education systems. Moodlemoot Nigeria serves as a platform for collaboration and knowledge exchange, aiming to: promote inclusive access to quality… +New EAT–Lancet Commission: healthy, sustainable and just food systems for the post-2030 era
- 03/11/2025
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
Six years after its first publication, the EAT–Lancet Commission on Healthy, Sustainable and Just Food Systems returns with a renewed vision in a world that has been profoundly transformed: geopolitical instability, soaring food prices, and the lasting impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. These challenges highlight once again that food systems lie at the heart of global balance — food security, human health, environmental sustainability, social justice, and resilience. While current systems have managed to feed the world’s population in caloric… +Learning integrated pest management: the example of the Dominican Republic
- 03/11/2025
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
This training session, held in Baní (Dominican Republic), focused on “Developing a crop protection strategy centred on the mango and banana sectors.” Organised with the support of the Fit For Market Plus (FFM+) programme, the initiative aimed to strengthen local capacities in integrated pest management (IPM) and promote sustainable, competitive agricultural practices. A participatory and inclusive training The session brought together a wide range of stakeholders from the agricultural sector, including production managers, technical supervisors, exporters, agronomists, plant health and… +Supporting partner countries in achieving compliance with EU organic standards: the case of Zimbabwe
- 03/11/2025
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
As part of the FFM+ programme, COLEAD recently supported the Rusitu Valley Fruit Growers and Marketing Trust (RVGMT) and the Pineapple Growers Agricultural Cooperative Society Limited (PGACSL) in aligning their Quality Management System (QMS) and Internal Control System (ICS) with the new EU Organic Regulation (EU 2018/848). This revision of the European framework introduces stricter requirements for group certification, traceability, and transparency, which are essential for maintaining access to EU organic markets. The assignment involved close collaboration with the RVGMT… +Strengthening dialogue for a sustainable agro-industry in West Africa: insights from the Ghana Industrial Summit and Exhibition
- 03/11/2025
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
From 15 to 18 September 2025, COLEAD took part through the FFM+ programme, in the Ghana Industrial Summit and Exhibition (GISE), a major event for industrial transformation in Ghana and across West Africa. The mission aimed to strengthen synergies between public, private and technical partners, while showcasing initiatives implemented through the Fit for Market Plus (FFM+) and AGRINFO programmes. Beyond institutional visibility, this participation marked a key milestone in promoting a sustainable, innovative, and competitive regional agro-industry. The GISE: a… +Focus Caribbean – strengthening agricultural value chains and regional synergies
- 03/11/2025
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
From 23 September to 8 October 2025, a dedicated mission took COLEAD to Saint Kitts and Nevis, Barbados, and Guyana under the Fit for Market Plus (FFM+) and AGRINFO programmes. The objective: to support the empowerment of Caribbean agricultural stakeholders while strengthening coordination with regional institutions and development partners. This field mission also marked COLEAD’s first physical presence at the Caribbean Week of Agriculture (CWA), following several virtual participations since 2021. Caribbean week of agriculture 2025: a strategic participation Organised… +Flashback 2014 – Tapping into local and regional markets
- 03/11/2025
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
Source : Horizons magazine, October 2014 (…) COLEACP helps farmers improve the quality of products for the local market. As the standard of living rises in the ACP states, short supply chains now offer real opportunities for economic development. Local and regional markets are developing into important outlets for the agrifood sector in Africa and the Caribbean. They represent an attractive alternative to export. In many African countries, selling goods at a stall or a local grocery is no longer… +Strengthening local agri-food value chains and women’s entrepreneurship: the example of Casamance, Senegal
- 03/11/2025
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
Processing units play a central role in creating added value, ensuring product quality, and enhancing the competitiveness of horticultural value chains. Moreover, strengthening the technical and organisational capacities of small enterprises and cooperatives is a key condition for scaling up the regional agri-food sector and recognising the economic role of women within value chains. In Casamance, training sessions organised through the Fit For Market Plus (FFM+) programme have brought together production and processing managers with a clear objective: to improve… +