Agroecology as a lever of resilience for agri-food SMEs (Caribbean region)
- 08/06/2026
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
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In brief The 21st session of the Caribbean Agrifood Business Series, run by IICA and COLEAD, will focus on advancing agroecology for Caribbean agri-food SMEs. Online, on Tuesday 16 June 2026, 14:00-16:00 UTC. A sector largely driven by SMEs and facing significant economic, food security and climate challenges. Agroecology is presented as a flexible, locally adapted approach combining ecological practices and local knowledge. The webinar will bring together entrepreneurs, technical experts and ecosystem actors; registration is open. Why this session?… +AGRINFO launches first mission to Guatemala
- 08/06/2026
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
An important step in strengthening engagement with key agrifood stakeholders across Latin America As part of its 2026 regional outreach strategy, AGRINFO selected one country in each region for closer collaboration. In Latin America, Guatemala was chosen due to the concentration of its agricultural exports to the European Union, particularly in the palm oil sector. The mission provided a valuable space for dialogue, knowledge sharing, and stakeholder engagement. The event held on 26 May, “Tools to Export to the EU… +Ethiopia: training the trainers to strengthen the horticultural sector
- 08/06/2026
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
In brief A Training of Trainers (ToT) on business management was delivered under the MAHEBER programme, bringing together service providers in Ethiopia’s horticulture and agri-food industries. The aim: strengthening capacities in business management, advisory services and training delivery, to support more competitive, resilient and sustainable horticultural value chains. A two-phase journey: self-paced online learning, then a 5-day face-to-face course in Addis Ababa (11-15 May 2026). Content covered: business diagnostics, designing context-specific training, adult learning methods, and coaching agri-food companies. Deep… +Guinea: a growing potato value chain, still to be structured
- 08/06/2026
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
In brief Potato is emerging as a growing value chain in Guinea, led by the Mamou and Labé regions. Domestic demand is rising, driven by urbanisation and changing food habits. Growth is still held back by four bottlenecks: seed, storage, transport and local processing. Côte d’Ivoire opens up a promising regional outlet. A new COLEAD market profile maps the way from a growing value chain to a better-organised one. Why this study? Developed under the Agriéco project — funded by… +Nigeria: gender inclusion as a driver of performance in horticulture
- 08/06/2026
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
In brief COLEAD ran the final collective training session of the Fit For Market Plus (FFM+) programme in Nigeria, focused on gender inclusion. 12 of the country’s leading horticultural organisations, 19 industry professionals, over four days. The aim: practical tools to build stronger, fairer and more competitive businesses. Four pillars: gender mainstreaming, inclusive policies, gender-responsive budgeting, audits and monitoring. Every organisation left with a tailored, concrete action plan ready to launch. Four days to equip the sector From 21 to… +Côte d’Ivoire: strengthening sanitary control of artisanal fish products
- 08/06/2026
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
In brief Under the PASA–Côte d’Ivoire programme, COLEAD ran a five-day workshop to assess the national sanitary control system for artisanally processed fish products, using its R-SAT tool. Stakeholders involved: women processors, the Directorate of Veterinary Services and Animal Welfare (DSVBA), municipalities and the Ministry of Animal and Fisheries Resources (MIRAH). Participatory assessment across four dimensions: governance, operational processes, skills, communication — with a gender and youth focus. Results: a shared diagnosis and a structured national action plan. The aim:… +WANGU Holdings in Sierra Leone: better chain coordination, from farm to factory
- 08/06/2026
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
In brief Through the Fit For Market Plus (FFM+) programme, funded by the European Union, COLEAD carried out an in-depth analysis of the supply and outgrower supervision systems of WANGU Holdings (Sierra Leone). Founded in 2012, WANGU produces, processes and markets fruits and leafy vegetables (local juices, exports of fruit pulp and frozen leafy vegetables). A systemic approach, from production to processing: farmer surveys, transporter interviews, warehouse and factory assessments. Key finding: the main constraint is not infrastructure capacity, but… +Strengthening a HACCP system for export: the example of JOYTECH in Ethiopia
- 08/06/2026
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
In brief Under the MAHEBER programme, Joytech PLC received post-training technical support to strengthen its HACCP system and food safety management practices. The intervention followed COLEAD’s training on HACCP principles, focusing on turning knowledge into operational improvements. Joytech PLC, based in Debre Zeit (Oromia Region), is an established horticultural exporter (herbs and flowers for European and UK markets), employing more than 1,400 workers, the majority women. Work carried out: reviewing HACCP documentation, a gap assessment, prerequisite programmes (PRPs), and validation… +Energy efficiency and solar power for more resilient horticulture: the example of Broomrigg Farm in Zimbabwe
- 08/06/2026
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
In brief Through the Fit For Market Plus (FFM+) programme, COLEAD carried out an energy efficiency audit and a renewable energy management plan at Broomrigg Farm (Zimbabwe). The horticultural business faces rising energy costs, grid instability and recurrent load shedding. Irrigation and cold chain operations stand out as the largest energy consumers. A phased roadmap is proposed, built around a 150 kVA hybrid solar PV system. Estimated gains: around 75,000 kWh saved per year (about 54% less consumption), roughly USD… +From knowledge to practice: achieving energy efficiency through training – the example of Three Trees Gardens in Botswana
- 08/06/2026
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
In brief Through the Fit For Market Plus (FFM+) programme, COLEAD carried out post-training technical support on energy consumption and energy efficiency at Three Trees Gardens (Botswana). A milestone: one of the first such interventions on sustainable energy management in Botswana’s horticultural sector. The company, which supplies vegetables, fruits and herbs to the local market, relies heavily on energy (irrigation, cold storage, handling, transport). Main energy consumers identified: cold chain, borehole pumping and transport logistics. A phased roadmap combines immediate… +