Caribbean Agrifood Business – Spotlight on session #16 of the IICA COLEAD series: cross-border value chains
- 08/04/2025
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
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A strategic collaboration for Caribbean agriculture Since June 2021, the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) and COLEAD have joined forces through the FFM+ programme in the Caribbean Agrifood Business Series. This initiative highlights the innovations and successes of farmer-led agribusinesses and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Caribbean region. The series is driven by a common vision: to build a more sustainable, resilient and inclusive Caribbean agricultural sector. It promotes business models that are economically viable, environmentally… +Pacific: 60 villages, 1,200 farmers committed to sustainability and export with Kokonut Pacific Solomon Islands
- 08/04/2025
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
As part of the FFM+ programme, Kokonut Pacific Solomon Islands (KPSI) has just completed its sustainability assessment using COLEAD’s Sustainability Self-Assessment System (SAS). KPSI: a company serving rural communities KPSI is a social enterprise and a major player in agricultural exports. For more than 20 years, it has been working to improve the livelihoods of 1,200 smallholder farmers in 60 villages in the Solomon Islands. The company purchases virgin coconut oil (VCO) and cocoa beans at fair prices and processes… +Innovations and market trends: what international trade shows tell us about the future of agri-food
- 08/04/2025
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
COLEAD’s Market Insights department, through the FFM+ programme, recently attended several major trade shows – Fruit Logistica, Biofach, Gulfood, IFE – to capture innovations, marketing signals and identify emerging trends. Between product innovation, the rise of superfoods, the shift towards sustainability and the breakthrough of artificial intelligence, the 2025 editions of these shows confirm that the global agri-food sector has entered a new era. Superfoods and well-being Demand for nutritious products is booming, driven by a growing focus on well-being.… +Cooperation agreement signed between COLEAD and ACTESA/COMESA: A new strategic partnership for regional agriculture in Eastern and Southern Africa
- 08/04/2025
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
COLEAD has recently signed, through the FFM+ programme, a Memorandum of Understanding with the Alliance for Commodity Trade in Eastern and Southern Africa (ACTESA), a specialised agency of COMESA. This partnership aims to strengthen cooperation to support smallholder producers, improve market access and promote sustainable agricultural practices in 21 COMESA member states and 7 East African Community (EAC) countries. This collaboration is based on a shared vision of agricultural development as a driver for a more resilient, equitable and prosperous… +Empowering women entrepreneurs: successful launch of the South-South online series. On 19 February 2025, COLEAD and UN Women launched their initiative dedicated to empowering women entrepreneurs in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific (ACP)
- 06/03/2025
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
On 19 February 2025, COLEAD and UN Women launched the first session of the South-South Online Series, an initiative dedicated to empowering women entrepreneurs in Africa, the Caribbean, the Pacific (ACP) and beyond. Designed to foster collaboration, knowledge sharing, skills development and market access, the series provides a dynamic platform for business leaders to connect and progress. This series is created and organised as part of the Fit For Market Plus programme. A promising start: strong participation and significant impact… +Jeanette Marcelle inspires us—And you?
- 06/03/2025
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
Handmade by Jeanette transforms Trinidad and Tobago’s culinary traditions into sustainable opportunities. In Trinidad and Tobago’s agri-food landscape, Jeanette Marcelle, also known as Chef Marcelle, stands out as a visionary and dedicated entrepreneur. As the founder and CEO of Handmade by Jeanette, she embodies resilience, innovation, and social impact through her brand, which promotes healthy, sustainable, and locally rooted food products. From culinary passion to purpose-driven entrepreneurship Jeanette Marcelle’s journey is anything but conventional. Initially pursuing a career in early… +Khalifa Thiam inspires us and you?
- 06/03/2025
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
Founder of JOULEU in Senegal, a producer and distributor with a strong social impact on young people. In the world of African agribusiness, some players are pioneers in combining innovation, sustainability and social commitment. Khalifa Thiam, founder of JOULEU, embodies this ambition. Through his company, he is working towards a more resilient, inclusive and connected agriculture, responding to the challenges of market access, sustainable production and modernisation of the horticulture sector in Senegal and the sub-region. JOULEU: A link between… +Innovation – Reducing diseases, improving soil health and nutrient management through the integration of indigenous vegetables intercropped with tomatoes and cabbage
- 06/03/2025
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
Research trial demonstration day at GART (Zambia) On 10 January 2025, the Golden Valley Agricultural Research Trust (GART) successfully hosted a Research Trial Demonstration Day at its research farm in Chisamba, Zambia. The event showcased the progress of trials conducted under COLEAD’s Fit For Market Plus programme in partnership with GART. The primary objective of this research is to explore the potential benefits of integrating underutilised crops, such as Cleome and Amaranthus, into established tomato and cabbage production systems. These… +Digital innovation in collaboration with the Ugandan Avocado Association. Scientific article published by COLEAD
- 06/03/2025
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
A recent scientific article highlights the results of a digital technology pilot project carried out in collaboration with the Uganda Avocado Association. This project, funded by the FFM+ programme, aims to support the development of the Hass avocado sector in Uganda and more broadly in the East African region. This publication represents a significant step forward in the promotion and dissemination of knowledge on sustainable agriculture. Read the full article: Characterising avocado production systems for Ugandan exports: the need for… +Digital technology to empower trainers: BigBlueButton provides an optimised environment for online teaching
- 06/03/2025
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
Unprecedented series of e-meetings: more than 100 experts already on board in January 2025 The COLEAD Training Department has embarked on a major transformation in 2025 with the launch of a series of innovative information sessions, available in English and French. These sessions aim to strengthen the skills of trainers by providing them with concrete tools to enrich their teaching practice and to fully exploit the potential of digital technology in distance learning. The first session, dedicated to BigBlueButton, marked… +