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Côte d’Ivoire – SODIPEX SA strengthens its internal audit capacity: an example of COLEAD post-training support
As part of the Fit For Market Plus (FFM+) programme, COLEAD continues to provide post-training support to ensure that the acquired skills are firmly established. In Côte d'Ivoire, SODIPEX SA received bespoke support following a group session on the principles of internal auditing. This is just one example of the operational support provided to horticultural enterprises.Coaching in real-life situationsThe support aimed to guide SODIPEX's internal auditors in conducting an audit in accordance with the GLOBALG.A.P. standard, strengthening their autonomy and preparing them for the next certification campaign. This coaching enabled us to: review the audit plan and the auditors' preparation; assist with interviews with process managers; formulate findings and concrete recommendations for continuous improvement. The team was committed to skills development.The group of internal auditors, which included a Rainforest Alliance administrator and a social standards manager (GRASP, BSCI), demonstrated a high level of dedication. The coaching laid a solid foundation for the development of an operational internal audit system.Towards a robust audit system:Recommendations were therefore made to support the gradual structuring of the system. organise internal audits under observation (without evaluation); schedule an evaluation during the next recertification audit; extend audit skills to other standards. This activity is supported by the Fit For Market Plus (FFM+) programme, implemented by COLEAD within the Framework of Development Cooperation between the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) and the European Union. This publication receives financial support from the European Union and the OACPS. The content of this publication is the sole responsibility of COLEAD and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union or the OACPS.
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Strengthening the financial resilience of professional organisations – Example of the UNCPM in Mali
Mali's leading agricultural umbrella organisation, the Union Nationale des Coopératives de Planteurs et Maraîchers du Mali (UNCPM), was established in 1985 to act as a liaison between the government and horticultural producers. Consisting of 17 horticultural unions and 150 cooperatives, the UNCPM now has over 15,000 producer members nationwide.As part of its development, the UNCPM has created a strategic plan to clarify and prioritise the services offered to its members. These include promoting agroecology, providing representation and building technical capacity, supplying seeds and agricultural equipment, advocating on land issues and facilitating access to markets and finance.Support to strengthen resource mobilizationDespite this structured vision, the UNCPM is facing difficulties in mobilising the resources needed to implement its roadmap. Against this backdrop, COLEAD, via the Fit For Market Plus (FFM+) programme, has provided support to analyse the union's financial requirements and current financing arrangements, with the aim of identifying realistic options appropriate to its environment.Several priority levers identifiedThe joint analysis identified several priority areas for strengthening the UNCPM's financial resilience and consolidating its leading role in Mali's horticultural sectors:Strengthening members' capacities to improve agricultural practices and yields (a key element in ensuring sustainable incomes);Establishing strategic partnerships with public and private actors to diversify sources of funding and technical support;Optimising the union's communication and visibility strategy to better promote its actions and attract new partners;Stimulating innovation in the services offered and approaches adopted to better meet the evolving needs of producers and markets.Towards more competitive and sustainable value chainsThe implementation of these recommendations should enable the UNCPM to better support its members while strengthening the competitiveness and sustainability of Malian agricultural value chains. This support is fully in line with COLEAD's mission to strengthen the capacities of professional agricultural organisations, enabling them to become effective drivers of sustainable agri-food system transformation.This activity is supported by the Fit For Market Plus (FFM+) programme, implemented by COLEAD within the Framework of Development Cooperation between the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) and the European Union. This publication receives financial support from the European Union and the OACPS. The content of this publication is the sole responsibility of COLEAD and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union or the OACPS.
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FLASHBACK 2016 : EDES (COLEAD) is building a new network of trainers to support the cocoa sector
The purpose is to ensure compliance with international standards for beans and semi-processed products. This achievement comes at the right time to meet a new challenge: respecting maximum cadmium limits.“The EDES programme is making great strides in the cocoa sector, mainly in Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana and Cameroon. A self-assessment guide for the sector has been drafted for Ghana and adapted for the other two countries in cooperation with professional associations and relevant authorities.This guide identifies the good practices and risk assessment measures that the cocoa sector must implement to ensure the compliance of its beans and semi-processed products. This guide is essential: it is the basis for work to prevent health and phytosanitary risks. EDES will guide official control, laboratory work, the regulatory framework and training programmes based on its findings. Small producers and cadmium In terms of training, the main challenge facing the cocoa sector is its segmented production structure. Although there are some large-scale plantations, the core of production is ensured by small scale farmers, generally grouped into associations or cooperatives. “A business that can supervise its staff can manage the risks linked to its own human resources, for example by choosing to use a fertiliser or a particular method to fight pests,” explains Christophe Schiffers, the EDES director. “But when we work with small-scale farmers, these risks are harder to master and control. Consequently, we’re committing farmers to move towards agro-ecological practices that present fewer risks... and are still profitable.”In addition to complying with maximum PAH levels,1 cocoa producers face a new challenge: that of maximum limits (MLs) for cadmium, currently being developed by the European Union (EU). These MLs focus on the finished product, such as chocolate or candy. They therefore concern processors first of all. But there is a direct consequence for ACP sectors, as European buyers will add these new requirements to the exporters’ specifications.Meeting this new challenge will involve changes at the production level. Certain fertilisers are richer in cadmium than others; certain varieties of cocoa absorb more cadmium than others; certain soils, notably in volcanic areas, contain more heavy metals and therefore more cadmium. The choices to be made will lead to the introduction of new practices, control plans, preventive analyses for laboratories, etc. Training needs will be significant. (…).The Pesticides Initiative Programme (PIP) was financed by the European Development Fund. The ACP Group of States and the European Commission entrusted responsibility for its implementation to COLEACP (today COLEAD).
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Tomato trials in northern Nigeria: encouraging early results against heat stress and Tuta absoluta
Between February and July 2025, COLEAD conducted field trials in four major tomato production zones in Kano State, Nigeria, as part of the FFM+ programme. COLEAD collaborated with Bayero University Kano (BUK) and the National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT) on this project. The aim of this research was to identify integrated solutions to two major challenges: heat stress, which is exacerbated by climate change, and infestations of Tuta absoluta, a highly destructive pest.Solutions tested in the field:The teams evaluated:heat-tolerant tomato varieties (Platinum F1 and TOM-H2);kaolin-based sun protectant to reduce the effects of heat stress;locally available biopesticides as an alternative control method for Tuta absoluta.A rigorous split-plot experimental design was implemented, with 72 experimental units replicated across all sites. A detailed data collection process monitored soil characteristics, weather data, physiological responses, agronomic parameters and pest infestation levels. This provided in-depth qualitative insights into treatment dynamics.Despite the challenging conditions (temperatures reaching 41°C and high infestation levels), these trials provided a preliminary assessment of the effectiveness of the different strategies.Key lessons and next stepsInitial observations show that the heat-tolerant varieties outperformed the local variety and that local biopesticides produced promising results, albeit below those of conventional pesticides. In contrast, the kaolin-based sun protectants did not have a visibly significant effect under these extreme conditions.The next steps will include detailed statistical and economic analyses, as well as a second season of trials, to refine recommendations and help farmers to secure their harvests and incomes in a sustainable way.This activity is supported by the Fit For Market Plus (FFM+) programme, implemented by COLEAD within the Framework of Development Cooperation between the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) and the European Union. This publication receives financial support from the European Union and the OACPS. The content of this publication is the sole responsibility of COLEAD and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union or the OACPS.
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Research & innovation: new guides for sustainable production available in our e-library
The Research and Innovation Brokerage Department (R&I;) at COLEAD plays a key role in identifying, consolidating and disseminating technical knowledge for the benefit of agri-food sectors. In collaboration with the Information and Communication Department, it develops practical tools to support stakeholders in the sector towards more sustainable and competitive practices.In this context, these two departments work together to continuously review, update and enrich our technical guides so that they best meet the specific needs of value chains.The latest versions of these guides are now available in French and English in our e-library: Guide to good crop protection practices for mango in organic farming Guide to sustainable mango production Guide to sustainable avocado production Guide to sustainable green bean production Guide to sustainable dasheen and macabo production Guide to sustainable pineapple production Guide to sustainable coconut production Please feel free to share these documents with your partners to strengthen alignment and knowledge dissemination within your networks.What's next?New guides on sustainable production of cassava, potatoes, citrus fruits, ginger, capsicum and many more are in the pipeline. Stay tuned!We hope these updated resources will effectively support you on your journey towards more sustainable and productive production. This activity is supported by the Fit For Market Plus (FFM+) programme, implemented by COLEAD within the Framework of Development Cooperation between the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) and the European Union. This publication receives financial support from the European Union and the OACPS. The content of this publication is the sole responsibility of COLEAD and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union or the OACPS.
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Making COLEAD's resources and network available to the Dominican agri-food sector
On Friday 27 June, a webinar entitled 'Los recursos y la red de COLEAD a su servicio' was organised specifically for the Dominican Republic, in collaboration with the Junta Agroempresarial Dominicana (JAD).The webinar showcased the wide range of tools and services offered by COLEAD, including: the e-learning platform for training in agricultural, commercial and regulatory best practices; access to the digital library and interactive sector data tools; updates on European regulations via the AGRINFO programme; the crop protection database and associated technical bulletins. self-assessment tools to help businesses evaluate their sustainability performance ; opportunities provided by COLEAD’s international network and peer exchange sessions. These resources are designed to provide concrete support to Dominican professionals, helping them to continuously improve their competitiveness and market access.A webinar aligned with the SIA projectThis initiative is fully aligned with the SIA Project (SANIDAD E INNOVACIÓN AGROPECUARIA), which was entrusted by the Dominican Ministry of Agriculture to COLEAD. In the Dominican Republic, a major player in the Caribbean agri-food sector, this ambitious project, financed by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) over 29 months, seeks to transform food safety and the competitiveness of the agricultural sector. As a reminder, the SIA project has three main objectives:1) Improve agricultural and food health and safety services by modernising infrastructures and methods to better meet international sanitary and phytosanitary standards.2) Promote innovation and technology transfer by introducing advanced practices to boost productivity and environmental sustainability.3) Strengthen the agricultural statistics’ system by developing data collection and analysis tools to support better decision-making and more effective agricultural policies.Through this project and its related activities, COLEAD reaffirms its commitment to working alongside Dominican operators to address sanitary, productivity and market challenges and support sustainable, forward-looking agricultural growth.This activity is supported by the SIA project (Sanidad e Innovación Agropecuaria), implemented by COLEAD on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Dominican Republic and financed by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) under loan no. BID-4909/OC-DR. This publication has been produced with the financial support of the IDB. The contents are the sole responsibility of COLEAD and in no way reflect the views of the Dominican Ministry of Agriculture or the IDB.
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Regulations and standards: upcoming European Union rules on food contamination with mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOH)
In June, three sessions were organised to inform agri-food chain stakeholders and competent authorities about new EU rules on MOH in food, which are expected to come into force in 2027. To facilitate participation by AGRINFO programme* partner countries across geographical regions, webinars were held for three different time zones with interpretation in French, Spanish and Portuguese.The webinars attracted considerable interest, with a total of 794 people registering and more than 520 taking part in the three sessions. Presentations were followed by discussions, where many in-depth technical questions were received from participants.To share responses to these questions with a broader audience, an FAQ document is being prepared and will be made available on the AGRINFO platform.Recordings of the three sessions are now available in a new 'Webinars' section on the AGRINFO website, and available to those who were unable to attend the sessions live.* Partner countries are those in the OECD Development Assistance Committee List of ODA Recipients.This activity is supported by the AGRINFO programme, implemented by COLEAD and funded by the European Union (EU). This publication receives financial support from the European Union. The content of this publication is the sole responsibility of COLEAD and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union.
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A new version of Agrinnovators.org is now available, providing a global hub for entrepreneurs in the agri-food sector
COLEAD is pleased to announce the new version of Agrinnovators.org. This new version has been developed as part of the FFM+ programme, in collaboration with PAFO, the OECD, IICA, PFO and UN Women.While the platform was previously focused mainly on African entrepreneurs, it is now open to all regions of the world, strengthening our commitment to South-South cooperation and knowledge sharing.Agrinnovators.org is a dynamic platform that connects entrepreneurs, companies, and experts to accelerate the development of sustainable solutions for agriculture and food systems worldwide.You will find:information on past and upcoming information sessions on strategic topics;company profiles and impact stories,an interactive forum where entrepreneurs can discuss innovations in sustainable agriculture, including labelling, packaging, climate resilience and the circular economy.The COLEAD Network & Alliances department actively encourages entrepreneurs to use the platform through targeted campaigns and direct contact with the people and organisations featured on the site.To promote and enrich the platform, a multilingual flyer (English, French, Spanish and Portuguese) is available to distribute to interested stakeholders. Please contact network@colead.org to obtain the flyer or if you have any questions.Together, let's make this platform a powerful tool for entrepreneurs shaping the sustainable transformation of agri-food systems worldwide.This activity is supported by the Fit For Market Plus (FFM+) programme, implemented by COLEAD within the Framework of Development Cooperation between the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) and the European Union. This publication receives financial support from the European Union and the OACPS. The content of this publication is the sole responsibility of COLEAD and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union or the OACPS.
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Gender: COLEAD trains its experts to fully integrate gender into their training programmes
As part of the Fit For Market Plus programme, COLEAD has just launched a new training course for trainers dedicated to 'Strengthening facilitation and communication skills for gender mainstreaming in the agri-food sector'.This five-week programme brings together 16 carefully selected experts, supported by two educational and two technical experts. The course is directly aligned with the practical implementation of COLEAD's Gender Strategy, which aims to embed gender equality at the heart of sustainable agri-food value chains.The objective is clear: to train gender experts who can design, facilitate and evaluate truly impactful training courses that can change practices and promote greater inclusion. The approach favours group dynamics and active collaboration to improve the quality of support and prepare for field initiatives that are better adapted to local contexts.This training course represents a significant milestone in COLEAD's commitment to promoting fairer and more inclusive food systems where women and young people are given their rightful place, in line with the ambitions of the EU Green Deal and the Global Gateway.This activity is supported by the Fit For Market Plus (FFM+) programme, implemented by COLEAD within the Framework of Development Cooperation between the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) and the European Union. This publication receives financial support from the European Union and the OACPS. The content of this publication is the sole responsibility of COLEAD and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union or the OACPS.
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‘Voices from the Earth’: the latest news on the global poetry and song contest dedicated to women farmers this year
To celebrate the United Nations' International Year of Women and Girls in Agriculture in 2026, COLEAD has launched 'Voices from the Earth', a global poetry and song contest that highlights the vital contribution of women farmers to food security and sustainable development. The theme for 2025/26 is 'Women farmers are cultivating sustainable futures', reflecting the priorities of the United Nations and COLEAD's mission.Latest news:Djaïli Amadou Amal, a Cameroonian writer and patron of the first edition of the competition, discusses it here.Oliver Herrera, a poet, member of the COLEAD Board of Directors and initiator of the competition, shares his views in an interview, which is available here.Several artists and poets from around the world have joined the jury, and the full list will be announced this summer.New deadline for submitting your poems and songs: 31 December 2025At the request of the jury, the closing date has been extended to 31 December 2025 to allow for better promotion of the initiative in their respective regions.Don't wait any longer to take part — click here to submit your poem or song.This is a competition open to all.Launched on International Women's Day (8 March), the competition is open to everyone, regardless of age or location. You can submit:- poems (free verse or rhyming);- slam, musical compositions that pay tribute to women farmers who are driving a sustainable world.There will be prizes, publication and events.The Gold, Silver and Bronze winners will receive special prizes and be honoured at international events in 2026. The best entries will be published in a dedicated anthology.Why take part?This is a unique opportunity to contribute to a global movement celebrating women in the agricultural transition, promoting solidarity, diversity, and sustainability.The transition from agriculture to culture is a small step.To participate, just click hereMore information about the competition rules here. Let's work together to amplify the voices of women farmers worldwide!
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COLEAD at Agroalimentaria 2025: Promoting structural actions in the Caribbean Region for a sustainable agri-food sector
From 28 to 31 May 2025, COLEAD has participated in the Feria Agroalimentaria in Santo Domingo, the Dominican Republic's flagship agri-food event. Organised by public and private institutions every two years, the event brings together over a hundred exhibitors and thousands of visitors, providing an essential platform for promotion, dialogue and cooperation.COLEAD had an institutional stand to inform participants about its activities and partnerships in the country. The aim of this presence is to raise the organisation's profile and facilitate deeper exchanges with public and private sector stakeholders. Several events marked COLEAD's participation, including two presentations at the technical conference organised during the fair.The first, entitled 'Presentation of the Good Practice Manuals produced for the Sanidad e Innovación Agropecuaria (SIA) project', highlighted the work carried out under the SIA project. This project is funded by the Inter-American Development Bank and implemented with the Dominican Ministry of Agriculture. The project aims to enhance food security, productivity, and competitiveness within the agri-food sector by reinforcing animal and plant health services, encouraging innovation in animal health, and generating dependable statistical data. The second presentation, focusing on the AGRINFO programme, is entitled 'Presentation of tools to stay informed about European Union regulations'. Funded by the EU, this programme provides public authorities and the private sector with a strategic information service to help them anticipate and adapt to European regulatory developments affecting agri-food value chains.This mission also promoted COLEAD's other ongoing initiatives in the country, particularly the Fit for Market Plus (FFM+) programme. This programme supports the resilience and sustainability of the ACP horticultural sector in the face of the impacts of the pandemic and climate change. COLEAD's participation in the Feria Agroalimentaria, which fully embraces international cooperation and sustainable development, demonstrates its commitment to working alongside Dominican stakeholders to strengthen a safer, more competitive and more resilient agri-food sector. Furthermore, by meeting with multilateral organisations such as the World Bank, the European Investment Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, and European and Japanese cooperation agencies, COLEAD is opening up the results of its work in the country and the region — particularly through the SIA project — to synergies aimed at achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in the Caribbean.Engage with companies and experts to promote the Agrinnovators platform, a community of entrepreneurs in the agrifood sector from the global South, and promote their contributions, in particularly around the discussion forum themes.The Fit For Market Plus programme, implemented by COLEAD within the framework of Development cooperation between the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), and the European Union (EU). The AGRINFO programme, implemented by COLEAD and funded the European Union (EU). This activity is supported by the SIA project (Sanidad e Innovación Agropecuaria), implemented by COLEAD on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Dominican Republic and financed by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) under loan no. BID-4909/OC-DR. This publication receives financial support from the European Union and the OACPS The contents are the sole responsibility of COLEAD and in no way reflect the views of the Dominican Ministry of Agriculture, the IDB, the European Union or the OACPS.
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Mapping of multistakeholder initiatives in Food and Nutrition Security and Sustainable Agriculture (FNSSA): The CEA-FIRST Consortium identifies key opportunities for strengthened EU-AU collaboration.
The CEA-FIRST Consortium identifies key opportunities for strengthened EU-AU collaboration.As part of the CEA-FIRST project aiming to establish a functional International Research Consortium (IRC) on FNSSA, a mapping report of multistakeholder initiatives (MSIs) active in the field of food and nutrition security and sustainable agriculture in Africa and Europe has just been finalized. Conducted as part of Work Package 3, the aim of this mapping exercise is to support the implementation of the IRC by identifying existing multi-stakeholder platforms, fora, and/or initiatives directly involved in food and farming systems that include actors in Europe and/or Africa and relate to research or innovation. The final goal was to assess their synergies and inform future stakeholder engagement strategies.A rich but fragmented ecosystemThe study identified 242 MSIs through a combination of desk research, internal and external consultations, and targeted data analysis. The initiatives were distributed as follows: 38% operate at the global level; 39% operate at the regional level. Only 10% are bi-continental (Africa–Europe). Just 10% are specifically focused on Africa. These findings highlight a significant geographical imbalance and emphasise the urgent need to bolster African-led initiatives that are grounded in local contexts and realities.Stakeholders and funding: A landscape still dominated by EuropeIn contrast to earlier expressed concerns about private sector dominance in MSIs on agricultural transformation at global scale, the majority of identified initiatives in this EU-AU landscape are funded by public sources (64%), followed by blended finance (24%) and private funding (12%). The European Union is the main funder, supporting almost half of the identified initiatives.Academic institutions are the most represented stakeholders (48%), followed by government actors (41%). In contrast, the private sector is underrepresented, particularly in initiatives focused on research and innovation suggesting a significant untapped potential.A major challenge: sustainabilityWhile 62% of initiatives are currently active, many depend on short-term funding and end once the initial financing is consumed. The frequent use of the term 'partnership' for short-lived projects highlights the need for stronger governance structures, sustainable financing mechanisms and institutional anchoring.The report also recommends adopting a network-based approach to better understand the interconnections, flows of influence and structural dynamics among MSIs and actors, moving beyond isolated analyses.The strategic role of the International Research ConsortiumDrawing on the findings of this mapping exercise, the International Research Consortium (IRC) can establish itself as a strategic coordination hub, reducing fragmentation, fostering synergies and supporting long-term engagement by: Thematic working groups; Shared governance platforms; Establishing a dynamic, continuously updated MSI database. Next stepsFrom 2025 onwards, the IRC will organise a series of stakeholder engagement webinars targeting public and private actors involved in funding, implementing or using FNSSA R&I; results. The objective is to expand the IRC’s membership and reinforce bi-continental coordination.More information on the CEA FIRST consortium: https://news.colead.link/fr/lancement-du-consortium-europe-afrique-sur-la-recherche-et-linnovation-pour-la-transformation-des-systemes-alimentaires-cea-first/