Strengthening crop protection: the example of Ramsay Agriculture
- 03/11/2025
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
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As part of the Fit For Market Plus (FFM+) programme, COLEAD provided technical assistance to Ramsay Agriculture, a small but dynamic farming enterprise based in Mzuzu (Malawi), through the Horticultural Production and Marketing Consortium (HOPMAC). Towards a safer and more sustainable production model The support aimed to help the company put into practice the knowledge acquired during the training course “Developing a Crop Protection Strategy”. Over four intensive days, the COLEAD expert assessed existing pest management practices, trained field staff… +Towards circular waste management: example of support for Jacarandas in Madagascar
- 03/11/2025
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
As part of the Fit For Market Plus (FFM+) programme, Jacarandas, a company specialising in the production of spices and essential oils in Madagascar, benefited from technical assistance to update its Waste Management Plan (WMP). The mission, carried out jointly by LONO (Côte d’Ivoire) and SOATY, a Malagasy expert trained under the programme, aimed to provide the company with a plan aligned with international standards and oriented towards a “Zero Waste” policy, through the recovery or treatment of all waste… +Supporting agribusinesses in developing bankable business plans: the case of Produhort in Malawi
- 03/11/2025
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
As part of the Fit For Market Plus (FFM+) programme, COLEAD supports agribusinesses in developing bankable business plans, essential tools for growth and long-term sustainability. In this context, a post-training support mission was conducted with Produhort Investments Ltd, a horticultural enterprise based in Lilongwe (Malawi). As a participant in the “Develop a Business Plan for Your Agribusiness” training, Produhort received tailored coaching to finalise and strengthen its 2025–2030 business plan. A business plan to guide growth The mission’s objective was… +Sustainable products for healthy living: Thanthwe Enterprises (Malawi) leads the way towards regional and international markets
- 03/11/2025
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
Thanthwe Enterprises, an innovative agri-food company from Malawi, has benefited from strategic support through the FFM+ programme, aimed at strengthening its competitiveness and structuring its expansion into regional and international markets. This support provided the company with strategic guidance and in-depth market analysis to inform its approach to market entry in Southern Africa, notably South Africa, Zambia and Mozambique, with a longer-term goal of expanding into the European Union. The study revealed the strong potential of Thanthwe’s diverse product portfolio,… +Social sustainability through SMETA 4-Pillar certification: The example of Chisel Investments in Zimbabwe
- 03/11/2025
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
As part of the Fit for Market Plus (FFM+) programme, COLEAD recently carried out a follow-up mission at Chisel Investments Pvt Ltd, a horticultural company based in Headlands, Zimbabwe. The objective was to assess the progress made in implementing the SMETA 4-Pillar standard and to identify the remaining steps required to achieve certification. Encouraging progress over one year Since the first assessment in 2024, Chisel Investments has made significant progress, particularly in developing internal policies and procedures that align with… +New DeSIRA LIFT reports to promote innovation and skills for transforming African food systems
- 09/09/2025
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
The DeSIRA LIFT programme has recently published several reports that highlight key initiatives aimed at strengthening agricultural innovation and inclusion in Africa. ‘Women and Innovation’: Fifteen case studies illustrate the central role of women in transforming agri-food systems, whether as farmers, entrepreneurs, researchers, or community leaders. Their innovations foster sustainable livelihoods, community resilience, and responsible natural resource management. From research to business: In collaboration with the RUFORUM network, a study analysed how universities in countries such as Cameroon, Senegal,… +COLEAD eLearning: new training pathways to strengthen the skills of 36,000 platform users
- 09/09/2025
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
COLEAD’s eLearning platform continues to grow as part of the FFM+ programme, offering new self-paced training pathways for professionals in the agri-food sector. Since 2024, four additional pathways comprising five courses have been added to the training offer. Business plan (available in English and French since June 2024) Financial planning (available in English since June 2024 and in French by the end of 2025); Fruit and vegetable preservation, Processing and Packaging (already available in French and due to be available… +Derrick Sarfo turns plastic into sustainable opportunities
- 09/09/2025
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
In Ghana, a young entrepreneur is proving that a committed vision can turn environmental challenges into opportunities for inclusive development. Derrick Sarfo, founder and director of DercolBags Packaging Ltd., has made the fight against plastic pollution a driver of social and economic innovation. His entrepreneurial journey stems from a tragedy. In 2015, the devastating floods in Accra, worsened by plastic waste clogging drains, left a deep mark on Derrick and pushed him to act. Three years later, he founded DercolBags,… +Guinea: The AGRIECO Project kick-starts the agroecological transition of local value chains
- 09/09/2025
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
In the first half of 2025, the Agriéco project, which is funded by Enabel, took decisive steps to lay the foundations for the agroecological transition in Guinea. Particular focus was given to the pineapple, potato and vegetable value chains. Local dynamics were structured. Thirteen agricultural cluster initiatives were identified in the Kindia and Mamou regions. Six of these clusters have been selected as priorities and will receive enhanced support. In partnership with ICRA, the recruitment of cluster coaches is underway… +Senegal: modernising the phytosanitary system to boost horticultural competitiveness
- 09/09/2025
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
In the first half of 2025, the STDF/PG/946 project reached a key milestone in the modernisation of Senegal’s phytosanitary system, which is crucial for strengthening the competitiveness of horticultural exports. Major legal reforms A decree and three implementing orders covering surveillance and control, import and export inspections, and fee schedules were validated in May 2025. These new texts replaced legislation dating back to 1960, aligning the framework with international standards and including specific provisions to address the challenges faced by… +