Business plans in agriculture: 50 entrepreneurs trained to make their ventures bankable
- 08/06/2026
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
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In brief From 19 January to 6 February 2026, COLEAD ran a three-week training course introducing business plans in the agricultural sector. It was delivered under the Fit for Market Plus (FFM+) programme. Around fifty participants — agri-MSMEs, cooperative managers and consultants — from 19 partner countries in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific. The goal: turning hands-on expertise and market knowledge into a bankable business plan. A concrete lever to ease access to finance for horticultural businesses. Why this… +Strengthening food safety while building on local expertise – the example of NSUNGA YA KONGO in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
- 08/06/2026
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
In brief Through the Fit For Market Plus (FFM+) programme, COLEAD supported NSUNGA YA KONGO (Democratic Republic of Congo) in implementing Good Hygiene Practices (GHP). The mission was carried out by a local Congolese expert: assessing practices, strengthening teams, identifying areas for improvement. Strengths noted: strong management commitment, motivated teams, internal technical capacities. Challenges identified: no dedicated hygiene and quality manager, limited knowledge of GHP requirements, need for further training. Recommendations: staff training, regular monitoring of hygiene practices, suitable technical… +Towards Rainforest Alliance certification for lychee exporters in Madagascar
- 08/06/2026
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
In brief COLEAD supported two Malagasy lychee exporters, QUALITYMAD and GASYFRUITS, in their compliance journey towards the Rainforest Alliance standard. The support was delivered under the Fit for Market Plus (FFM+) programme, building on training the companies had already completed. The method: field visits, document reviews and assessment tools, covering management, traceability, agricultural practices and the social and environmental dimensions. QUALITYMAD reduced its non-conformities and consolidated its management tools; GASYFRUITS is pressing ahead despite the damage caused by Cyclone GEZANI.… +Sierra Leone: towards a modern phytosanitary authority aligned with international standards
- 08/06/2026
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
In brief Under the Fit For Market Plus (FFM+) programme, COLEAD is supporting Sierra Leone’s National Plant Protection Organisation (NPPO), currently operating as the Crop Protection Unit (CPU) within the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security. The goal: to modernise its governance, structure and operational capacity. An assessment — document review, virtual consultations and a survey of 42 technical officers — revealed a legal framework inherited from 1946 and limited resources. The central recommendation: transform the CPU into a fully… +Yearly review 2025
- 29/05/2026
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
EU and GB pesticide approval changes in 2025 Review of EU and GB pesticide approval changes during 2025 During 2025, the European Commission (EC) published 97 changes to plant protection product (PPP) approvals within the European Union (EU). These include 43 changes concerning substances that are of importance for African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) horticulture. Great Britain (GB) has published 55 changes to PPP approvals involving 23 changes concerning substances that are of importance for ACP horticulture. How will ACP… +Jovia Kisaakye (Uganda) : Turning waste into value for farmers and communities
- 04/05/2026
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
Jovia Kisaakye is the Founder and CEO of Ecobed Biotech, a Ugandan biotechnology enterprise transforming agricultural and food waste into practical, market-driven solutions. Her work focuses on addressing everyday challenges faced by farmers while creating new value from under-utilised resources. At Ecobed Biotech, spoilt milk is converted into a powerful and effective organic mosquito repellent skincare lotion and creams that offer 12-hour long protection against mosquito bites. In parallel, the company transforms everyday food waste into organic fertilizers and animal… +Gordon Shallow (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines): from science to entrepreneurship, cultivating sustainable solutions for caribbean agriculture
- 04/05/2026
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
Gordon Shallow is a phytopathologist and entrepreneur from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, whose work combines scientific expertise with practical solutions to strengthen food security and sustainable agriculture. With over fifteen years in plant health and soil science, his career reflects both dedication and innovation in addressing real challenges faced by farmers. Gordon’s interest in agriculture began in secondary school through Agricultural Science, where he was recognised by the Caribbean Examinations Council for his outstanding application of crop and animal… +Strategic partnership with RUFORUM (175 universities, 40 countries) to support entrepreneurship in Africa
- 04/05/2026
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
COLEAD and the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on 21 April 2026, marking a new step in their collaboration. This five-year partnership aims to support innovation, entrepreneurship and skills development in Africa’s agrifood sector. RUFORUM, which brings together 175 universities across 40 African countries, works to strengthen capacities in agricultural innovation and agribusiness. This collaboration seeks to better connect research, skills development, entrepreneurship support and market-oriented initiatives. The MoU provides… +African Embassies in Brussels meet with AGRINFO to strengthen dialogue on EU regulatory developments
- 04/05/2026
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: Uncategorized
The COLEAD AGRINFO programme organised an in-person session in Brussels on Wednesday 22 April with representatives from the Embassies in Belgium of French speaking African countries. This followed similar events with embassies from Latin America, ASEAN and English-speaking African countries, with the aim of strengthening the flow of information to EU partner countries. Hosted by the African Union, the meeting was attended by representatives from Benin, Burundi, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, Guinea, Lebanon, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia. The session provided… +Seafood 2026 in Barcelona: engaging with key sector stakeholders
- 04/05/2026
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
COLEAD recently participated, through the AGRINFO programme, in Seafood Expo Global (SEG26) in Barcelona, the world’s largest trade event dedicated to seafood. This flagship event brings together the full spectrum of stakeholders across the fisheries and aquaculture value chain — companies, exporters, buyers, institutions and professional organizations’. This was an important opportunity to further strengthen the programme’s network with key players in the seafood sector. Meetings were held with exporters, competent authorities, and export promotion bodies, as well as European… +