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?… +Strengthening regional food safety systems: a look back at the collaboration with CAHFSA.
- 08/06/2026
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
In brief In the first half of 2026, COLEAD and the regional agency CAHFSA delivered a series of regional webinars on food safety in the Caribbean. 729 registrations in total, from more than 40 countries: clear demand for practical compliance and export-readiness support. Three sessions: a GHP/HACCP refresher, a traceability awareness session (US FDA requirements), and an antimicrobial resistance (AMR) awareness session. Leading audience: Ministries of Health and Agriculture, environmental health departments, regulatory authorities and the University of the West… +Dominican Week in Belgium and the Netherlands: focus on exports to the European Union
- 08/06/2026
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
In brief During the week of 1 June 2026, the Dominican Republic held the Dominican Week in Belgium and the Netherlands, a strategic platform to strengthen its economic, trade and cultural relations with Europe. On the opening day’s agenda: the 5th Dominican Republic – European Union Political Dialogue, a business forum and a cultural evening. Panels examined the present and future of Dominican exports to the EU, drawing on experiences in cocoa, banana and tobacco. COLEAD —co-prepared the exports panel… +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… +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… +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… +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.… +