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Josephine Okot: founder of Victoria Seeds, producer and distributor of high-quality seeds
Born in northern Uganda, Josephine Okot grew up witnessing the heavy burden women carried in agriculture and the barriers they faced : limited access to education, credit, and markets. These experiences inspired her to dedicate her life to transforming the country’s agricultural sector.In 2004, she founded Victoria Seeds Limited with the ambition to provide smallholder farmers with quality seeds. After being denied loans by commercial banks, she secured financing through a USAID-backed loan guarantee. What began with five employees has since become one of Uganda’s leading seed companies, operating three processing plants and a network of over 400 agro-dealers nationwide.Under her leadership, Victoria Seeds has developed nearly 100 seed varieties and introduced innovations such as smaller, affordable packages, transparent labelling, and mobile seed shops reaching rural areas. The company also supplies crop protection products to improve yields and strengthen farmers’ confidence.Beyond business success, Josephine Okot has empowered countless rural women, enabling them to increase their income and achieve food security through access to improved seeds and reliable markets. Her model demonstrates that agriculture can be both profitable and socially impactful.Her achievements have earned widespread recognition: the Africa Food Prize (2007), Oslo Business for Peace Award (2009), African Woman of the Year (2011), and Uganda Responsible Investment Award (2013).A visionary entrepreneur, Josephine Okot exemplifies the power of women’s leadership in Africa — proving that quality, innovation, and empowerment can drive lasting change.She participated in South-South Session No.4, co-organised by UN Women and COLEAD through the FFM+ programme, aimed at strengthening women-led businesses through collaboration, skills development, and market access.Josephine Okot was a panellist at the South-South Series: Empowering and Growing Women-led Business n°4, organised by UN Women and COLEAD, and aimed at strengthening women-led businesses by fostering collaboration, knowledge-sharing, skills development, market access, and networking opportunities.Join the Women Empowerment conversation on the Agrinnovators Forum.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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Insights from the EDFI and CSAF conferences: uniting finance and technical assistance to tackle global challenges
In a world marked by geopolitical upheavals, persistent economic instability, and growing pressure to finance sustainable solutions, the question of access to finance for agricultural enterprises has taken on renewed importance.The discussions held on the 2 October during the EDFI (European Development Finance Institutions) Management Company Corporate Day 2025 and on the 1-2 October at the Council on Smallholder Agricultural Finance (CSAF) Convening highlighted a shared conviction: development finance can only be effective when built upon a solid foundation of technical assistance.A turning point for development financeUnder the theme “At the Crossroads,” the EDFI conference brought together in Brussels leading stakeholders in development finance — European institutions, multilateral banks, impact investors, and portfolio companies — to reflect on the future direction of impact investment.All emphasized the need to rethink the development finance value chain, integrating stronger dimensions of resilience, partnership, and environmental and social responsibility.The exchanges particularly underscored the central role of the European Union, which aims to position itself as a global gateway for sustainable development finance. Within this framework, blended finance mechanisms and technical assistance (TA) programmes emerge as two complementary levers for mobilising private capital, mitigating perceived risks, and strengthening local capacities.Technical assistance: a key driver of trustIt is recognized among financial institutions and investors that TA is no longer a peripheral support tool, but a strategic de-risking instrument.By supporting agricultural enterprises in structuring operations, training staff, and complying with standards, TA directly enhances the sustainability of projects.This perspective was reinforced during the CSAF Convening, which gathered leading agricultural finance organisations.Members of the network highlighted that most TA programmes are now integrated post-investment, to ensure the success and durability of financing, while also stressing the need to develop pre-investment approaches that better reflect on-the-ground realities. Priority needs identified include financial management, strategic planning, digitalisation, impact monitoring and evaluation, and market access.COLEAD’s positioning: building bridges between finance and impactThrough its participation in these events, COLEAD reaffirmed its role as a bridge-builder between the financial sector and operational implementation.With its strong roots in agricultural value chains and deep understanding of entrepreneurial ecosystems — particularly in sub-Saharan Africa — COLEAD helps translate financial ambitions into tangible field-level impact.Its technical assistance interventions — whether supporting inclusive value chain development, improving agri-business governance, or strengthening sustainability practices — help create the conditions for viable and transformative investment.COLEAD thus positions itself as a catalyst of trust between investors, public institutions, and private actors in the Global South.A shared vision towards 2030Across both the EDFI and CSAF discussions, one conclusion emerged clearly: access to finance can no longer be separated from access to know-how.The success of agricultural projects will depend on the collective ability to combine patient capital, financial innovation, and tailored technical assistance.In this perspective, COLEAD continues to advance its mission of making technical assistance a driver of sustainable investment, serving a more resilient, inclusive, and job-creating agriculture.
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Unfair trading practices in agri-food supply chains: update and outlook for non-EU suppliers
Over the past months, COLEAD, through its programmes FFM+ and AGRINFO, has been actively contributing to ensuring fairness in global supply chains, including those in ACP countries, by addressing Unfair Trading Practices (UTPs). This news provides an update on the legislative state of play and on COLEAD’s activities related to this important issue.What are UTPs?The stark imbalances between small and large operators in the agricultural and food supply chain can lead to UTPs in business-to-business relationships where farmers and small operators do not have sufficient bargaining power to defend themselves. These practices “grossly deviate from good commercial conduct, that are contrary to good faith and fair dealing and that are unilaterally imposed by one trading partner on another.” (EU definition in Art. 1 (1) Directive 2019/633).EU rules against UTPsAgainst this background, the European Union (EU) aims to strengthen the position of farmers and small and medium sized businesses in agri-food supply chains.Since 2022, the UTP Directive (2019/633) bans 16 unfair trading practices that are classified between: black and grey practices:black UTPs: are never allowedgrey UTPs: are allowed if the supplier and the buyer agree on them beforehand.These bans apply to suppliers located outside the EU if the buyers are located within the EU.
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Boosting agrifood research and innovation cooperation for impact at scale - Conference report
Please find the report of the conference "Boosting agrifood research and innovation cooperation for impact at scale" which took place in Brussels (11-13 March 2025) financed by the European Commission under the DeSIRA initiative.To effectively contribute to desirable agrifood systems transformation in this time of poly-crisis, investments in R&I; are more than ever required and need to be done in partnership. The R&I; orientation for food systems transformation was discussed with a focus on innovative approaches such as agroecology, nature-based solutions, and nutrition-sensitive agriculture.To achieve sustainable impact at scale, agrifood research and innovation (R&I;) cooperation can be boosted through the following mechanisms:Co-ownership of design and implementation of R&I; projects by multiple stakeholders (researchers, farmers, enterprises, and policy makers) with multi-actor approaches and through place-based innovation tools such as living labs.Institutional ownership to align economic, environmental, and social outcomes of R&I; projects with local, national, and regional priorities.Viable and inclusive financial strategies to support experimentation, risk-taking, scaling of innovation and long-term commitments.Strengthening the capacities of the people and institutions that drive innovation processes.Investments in systems thinking, knowledge integration and long-term support to connect science, policy, and practice. Such investments will realize the potential of transformative approaches such as agroecology that address production, climate, biodiversity, and equity challenges in agrifood systems.Reflections and recommendations for current and future R&I; cooperation include:Strengthen the international dialogue on R&I; cooperation;Provide coherent support to future R&I; programming and interventions;Strengthen the coordination and governance of AU-EU R&I; initiatives.Build innovative funding mechanisms to support innovation at scale.DeSIRA-LIFT (June 2021 – May 2025) is the result of close collaboration between Agrinatura (European Alliance on Agricultural Knowledge for Development), the European Forum on Agricultural Research for Development (EFARD) and the European Commission’s Directorate-General for International Partnerships (DG INTPA). © DeSIRA LIFT
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Integrating gender for inclusive growth – COLEAD strengthens its commitment to equality and empowerment
More than 150 participants joined COLEAD’s webinar “Integrating Gender for Inclusive Growth” last month, an interactive session focused on the central role of gender equality in building sustainable and resilient agri-food systems.The event, opened by COLEAD chairman Stephen Mintah and General Delegate Jeremy Knops, explored practical approaches to mainstream gender at all levels: individual, organisational, and systemic.International expert Kerry Kyd (South Africa) delivered a dynamic presentation on gender-related risks and opportunities in operations, encouraging participants to reflect on their daily practices and their impact on inclusion.The session also featured an interactive quiz and the official launch of COLEAD’s first gender training module, presented by Dorothée Vandeleene, along with an update on COLEAD’s gender action plan by Inês Bastos.Turning commitment into actionFinalised in 2024 following an extensive consultation process with teams, partners, and donors, the COLEAD gender strategy and action plan embodies a clear vision:“Growing people: addressing women’s vulnerabilities in the agri-food sector and promoting their empowerment.”This plan is built around four key outcomes:strengthening the capacity of COLEAD teams and stakeholders to integrate gender considerations into their practices and processesensuring inclusive planning processes that take women’s needs and perspectives into account in project designimproving women’s access to training, information, and sustainable innovationsenhancing women’s economic empowerment along agri-food value chainsThe new gender training package announced during the webinar marks a major milestone in implementing this strategy. It includes tutored modules– as well as post-training support to consolidate learning outcomes in the field.The first in-person sessions will take place in Tanzania and Senegal in November 2025, followed by blended and self-paced learning opportunities in 2026.Gender equality at the heart of COLEAD’s strategic visionGender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, as enshrined in Sustainable Development Goal 5, lie at the core of COLEAD’s 2030 strategic plan.By mainstreaming gender across all its programmes – including Fit For Market Plus (FFM+), AGRINFO, and national initiatives – COLEAD positions inclusion as a key driver of sustainable growth, innovation, and resilience in agri-food systems.This approach is fully aligned with COLEAD’s sustainability strategy, built on the three pillars of people, planet, and prosperity. It aims to ensure that women and men enjoy equal opportunities to contribute to and benefit from agricultural development.
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Focus Caribbean – strengthening agricultural value chains and regional synergies
From 23 September to 8 October 2025, a dedicated mission took COLEAD to Saint Kitts and Nevis, Barbados, and Guyana under the Fit for Market Plus (FFM+) and AGRINFO programmes. The objective: to support the empowerment of Caribbean agricultural stakeholders while strengthening coordination with regional institutions and development partners.This field mission also marked COLEAD’s first physical presence at the Caribbean Week of Agriculture (CWA), following several virtual participations since 2021.Caribbean week of agriculture 2025: a strategic participationOrganised in Saint Kitts and Nevis by CARICOM, IICA, FAO, CARDI and other partners, CWA 2025 brought together governments, businesses, financial institutions, researchers and NGOs around a common vision: “25% by 2025 + 5” — reducing regional food import bills by 25%.For COLEAD, the event provided a strategic platform for visibility and cooperation. The team contributed to several technical sessions, notably on the digitalisation of agriculture and innovation in post-harvest protection of root and tuber crops, in collaboration with IICA and CARDI respectively.Beyond high-level discussions, the on-site presence helped to strengthen existing partnerships and establish new ones — including with the Anton de Kom University of Suriname, the World Food Programme, the Bahamas Centre for Food and Nutrition Security, Global Affairs Canada, and the FIAP (EU-Caribbean Fund for Nutrition).Strengthening regional collaboration and strategic alliancesBilateral meetings confirmed the strong momentum of partnership between COLEAD and regional actors, notably with:IICA, on renewing the technical partnership, developing training for extension and advisory services (Training of Trainers), and the Caribbean Agrifood Business Series;CARICOM Secretariat, for self-learning sessions on crop protection;CARDI and CAHFSA, on applied research, SPS standards, and technical training for support services;SMEs and agrifood processors in Barbados, Saint Kitts, and Guyana, as well as the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry, to refine needs assessments, structure development plans, and promote market access.The Caribbean: a laboratory for resiliencePartners share a clear diagnosis: the region remains highly vulnerable to climate change, facing high logistics costs, limited agricultural labour, and low food self-sufficiency — particularly in fruits and vegetables. Yet these challenges are driving innovation: development of organic farms, controlled-environment and vertical farming, local processing of fruits, vegetables and tubers into juices, flours, sauces, or condiments; green entrepreneurship programmes; and urban agriculture initiatives in Guyana.The European Union, through its delegations in Barbados and Guyana, reaffirmed its commitment to supporting this agricultural transition within the framework of the Global Gateway strategy.A momentum sustained by the 5th Caribbean virtual agrifood trade missionBuilding on field exchanges, COLEAD is joining IICA, SIECA and CARICOM to co-organise the 5th Caribbean Virtual Agrifood Trade Mission, from 28 to 30 October 2025.This online event, accessible via the REDCA platform, will offer Caribbean agrifood enterprises an opportunity to meet buyers, promote their products, and expand their regional and extra-regional exports. The initiative aims to connect digital transformation with trade opportunities, leveraging e-commerce tools and international market standards.2026: continuing the momentumNext steps include consolidating the regional partner network and continuing the SIA project in the Dominican Republic as a lever for regional integration, with new targeted support actions and capacity-building activities (Training of Trainers in Guyana), as well as participation in the Caribbean Week of Agriculture 2026 in Jamaica.COLEAD will thus continue to act as a facilitator between public policies, agripreneurs and investors, ensuring that Caribbean agricultural value chains continue to grow within a more inclusive, sustainable and connected framework.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; and by the AGRINFO programme, implemented by COLEAD and funded by the European Union (EU). 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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Digital technology serving agricultural training: COLEAD’s participation in MoodleMoot Nigeria
Held in Abuja, MoodleMoot Nigeria brought together the African Moodle community — educators, researchers, developers, EdTech actors, and institutions — to share best practices and strengthen the quality of online education and training across the continent.The conference focused on how digital technologies and innovation in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) can transform learning, foster inclusion, and build more resilient education systems.Moodlemoot Nigeria serves as a platform for collaboration and knowledge exchange, aiming to:promote inclusive access to quality education,develop future-ready digital skills and pedagogies,and strengthen Africa’s capacity to create innovative and secure digital ecosystems.COLEAD showcases its e-learning model for agricultural capacity buildingAs part of this event, COLEAD shared its experience in digital learning and technical trainingfor the agricultural sector. COLEAD representatives David Sodade and Géraud Gnanga hosted a pre-conference workshop for practitioners/professionals, university lecturers, training institutions and the students across the agricultural sector , as part of the FFM+ programme. The duo presented a session on “Transforming the landscape of TVET (Agricultural education) Beyond the 4 Walls”, highlighting how Moodle can be used to design engaging and flexible online training for agricultural value chain actors. A second presentation was also presented on “Upskilling For Industry-Ready Learners: A practitioner's window to the COLEAD state-of-the-art e-learning platform powered by Moodle “The COLEAD e-learning platform, built on Moodle, provides free, self-paced courses that can be accessed anytime and anywhere, even offline. Learners can download resources, test their knowledge through interactive quizzes, and build practical skills tailored to the needs of micro, small, and medium-sized horticultural enterprises. This model demonstrates how digital tools can make training more accessible, relevant, and impactful for agricultural professionals.Driving the digital transformation of agricultural educationCOLEAD’s participation in the MoodleMoot Nigeria illustrates its commitment to supporting the modernisation of agricultural training, particularly in Africa, through digital tools. By sharing its experience, COLEAD aims to contribute to the collective reflection on the future of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in the agricultural sector: a form of learning that is grounded in real-world needs, open, collaborative, and sustainable. Through this initiative, COLEAD reaffirms its role in online training for agriculture, serving investment, employment, and the resilience of stakeholders across the continent.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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New EAT–Lancet Commission: healthy, sustainable and just food systems for the post-2030 era
Six years after its first publication, the EAT–Lancet Commission on Healthy, Sustainable and Just Food Systems returns with a renewed vision in a world that has been profoundly transformed: geopolitical instability, soaring food prices, and the lasting impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. These challenges highlight once again that food systems lie at the heart of global balance — food security, human health, environmental sustainability, social justice, and resilience.While current systems have managed to feed the world’s population in caloric terms, they remain the main driver of planetary boundary transgression. More than half of the global population still lacks access to a healthy diet, with alarming consequences for public health, inequality, and the environment: setbacks in the fight against hunger, a continued rise in obesity, and worsening climate impacts.Yet, the Commission underlines that food systems offer an unprecedented opportunity to strengthen environmental, economic and social resilience while improving human wellbeing and the stability of ecosystems.New Directions for eating within planetary boundariesThis new edition provides updated scientific evidence and concrete tools for action, including:an updated version of the Planetary Health Diet;new methods to measure the impact of food systems on planetary boundaries;an in-depth exploration of food justice issues;new modelling and scenario analyses to guide the transformation of public policies and individual practices.These recommendations lay the foundations for systemic transformation at all levels — global, regional, national, and local — combining human and planetary health within a framework of social justice.Towards a central role for food systems in the post-SDG eraThe Commission presents a roadmap for the post-2030 era, integrating the priorities of the European Green Deal, the Paris Agreement, and the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.It calls for a rethinking of food production, consumption, and governance as key levers of transformation to ensure a just social foundation while maintaining the stability of the Earth system.Voices of the CommissionLed by Johan Rockström, Shakuntala Haraksingh Thilsted, Walter C. Willett, Line J. Gordon, Mario Herrero, Christina C. Hicks, and other renowned experts, the Commission also publishes a series of related analyses:A Global and Just Future for Food – by Tamara Lucas and Richard HortonLine Gordon: Developing the Future of Food Systems – by Aarathi PrasadFabrice DeClerck: Serving Sustainability for Planet, Plate, and People – by Niall BoyceA vision shared by COLEADThe conclusions of this new Commission strongly resonate with COLEAD’s vision and actions, which aim to make agri-food systems more sustainable, equitable, and resilient.Through programmes such as Fit For Market Plus (FFM+), AGRINFO, and a range of national partnerships, COLEAD translates scientific recommendations into practical change on the ground: supporting agrifood MSMEs in adopting resource-efficient practices, improving the nutritional quality of products, strengthening food security, and ensuring the inclusion of small producers in sustainable markets.By acting at the intersection of economic, environmental, and social dimensions, COLEAD directly contributes to the ambition championed by the EAT–Lancet Commission: building healthy, sustainable, and just food systems for all.For more information : The EAT–Lancet Commission on healthy, sustainable, and just food systems
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Learning integrated pest management: the example of the Dominican Republic
This training session, held in Baní (Dominican Republic), focused on “Developing a crop protection strategy centred on the mango and banana sectors.” Organised with the support of the Fit For Market Plus (FFM+) programme, the initiative aimed to strengthen local capacities in integrated pest management (IPM) and promote sustainable, competitive agricultural practices.A participatory and inclusive trainingThe session brought together a wide range of stakeholders from the agricultural sector, including production managers, technical supervisors, exporters, agronomists, plant health and phytosanitary surveillance technicians, administrators, and producers. The session was opened by Rafael Leger, President of PROMANGO, highlighting the strong commitment of the Dominican private sector to protecting export-oriented value chains.Concrete results in the fieldParticipants commended the relevance and usefulness of the training, which effectively combined theory and practice. They were able to: strengthen their knowledge of integrated pest management (IPM), particularly in relation to climate and plant health challenges; apply these skills directly in the field through pest and disease identification, incidence assessment, and the development of an integrated management plan and share experiences between the mango and banana sectors, fostering a highly collaborative and participatory learning environment.Perspectives for continued supportParticipants expressed their wish to extend the duration of the training, strike a better balance between theory and practice, and deepen their understanding of insect management.They also emphasised the need for more tailored support within their organisations to put the training outcomes into practice.A key step towards agricultural sustainabilityThis initiative directly contributes to strengthening the capacities of local actors to: produce sustainably while remaining competitive in export markets; ensure product quality and safety for international trade; and consolidate COLEAD’s role as a key partner for agricultural innovation and sustainability in the Caribbean region.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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Supporting partner countries in achieving compliance with EU organic standards: the case of Zimbabwe
As part of the FFM+ programme, COLEAD recently supported the Rusitu Valley Fruit Growers and Marketing Trust (RVGMT) and the Pineapple Growers Agricultural Cooperative Society Limited (PGACSL) in aligning their Quality Management System (QMS) and Internal Control System (ICS) with the new EU Organic Regulation (EU 2018/848).This revision of the European framework introduces stricter requirements for group certification, traceability, and transparency, which are essential for maintaining access to EU organic markets.The assignment involved close collaboration with the RVGMT and PGACSL teams to review existing documentation, identify compliance gaps, and develop an updated and fully compliant QMS manual, complemented by new internal inspection and risk assessment tools.The support also helped clarify the structural relationship between the two entities: RVGMT, responsible for multiple fruit value chains, and PGACSL, now focused exclusively on organic pineapple production and certification in line with the new EU rules.The beneficiaries praised the expert’s “professionalism, technical rigour, and practical approach”, highlighting that the gap analysis and subsequent improvements “laid a solid foundation for enhanced compliance and optimal readiness for organic certification.”Thanks to this intervention, PGACSL is now better equipped to regain its organic certification and resume exports of Zimbabwean organic pineapples to the EU. Continued training, strengthened market partnerships with Greenstone Foods, and ongoing collaboration with ZimTrade will help ensure the sustainability of these achievements and the lasting recovery of access to international markets.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 dialogue for a sustainable agro-industry in West Africa: insights from the Ghana Industrial Summit and Exhibition
From 15 to 18 September 2025, COLEAD took part through the FFM+ programme, in the Ghana Industrial Summit and Exhibition (GISE), a major event for industrial transformation in Ghana and across West Africa. The mission aimed to strengthen synergies between public, private and technical partners, while showcasing initiatives implemented through the Fit for Market Plus (FFM+) and AGRINFO programmes. Beyond institutional visibility, this participation marked a key milestone in promoting a sustainable, innovative, and competitive regional agro-industry.The GISE: a hub for innovation and sustainabilityOrganised by the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), the GISE has become an essential platform for dialogue on competitiveness, sustainability, and the green transition in the industrial sector. The 2025 edition, held in Accra, brought together public decision-makers, agri-food companies, professional organisations, and development partners. From the European Union Pavilion, COLEAD presented its work in supporting sustainability and SPS compliance within horticultural value chains through the FFM+ programme, as well as AGRINFO resources monitoring changes in EU regulations impacting agrifood value chains.Building bridges to accelerate transformationCOLEAD also took part in the event “Promotion of Agro-Processing in West Africa”, organised by HPW Fresh & Dry, a key network partner. This meeting highlighted investment and regional collaboration opportunities in agri-food processing, while underlining the importance of an integrated approach combining innovation, sustainability, and public-private partnerships. It also reaffirmed the need to strengthen local capacities and regional value chains to enhance the competitiveness and added value of African agricultural products.Looking ahead: towards stronger regional cooperationThis mission to Ghana is part of COLEAD’s strategy to support the sustainable agro-industrial transition in West Africa, by connecting businesses, institutions, and technical partners around concrete initiatives. The discussions held in Accra pave the way for new regional collaborations and confirm COLEAD’s role as a facilitator of sustainable and inclusive solutions for agri-food value chains, particularly across sub-Saharan Africa.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; and by the AGRINFO programme, implemented by COLEAD and funded by the European Union (EU). 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 2014 - Tapping into local and regional markets
Source : Horizons magazine, October 2014(…) COLEACP helps farmers improve the quality of products for the local market. As the standard of living rises in the ACP states, short supply chains now offer real opportunities for economic development. Local and regional markets are developing into important outlets for the agrifood sector in Africa and the Caribbean. They represent an attractive alternative to export.In many African countries, selling goods at a stall or a local grocery is no longer limited to the informal economy. National and regional markets are developing into important outlets for the agrifood sector in Africa and the Caribbean. They represent an attractive alternative to the export trade for SMEs and small producers. With the growth of the middle class, retail chains are being put in place in African countries, with quality standards close to those of export markets. Urban authorities also tend more to adopt measures to improve the hygiene and sanitary conditions of covered and open-air markets. To connect - or stay connected - to these local value chains, (small-scale) farmers have to be able to meet the new requirements of local distributions channels. COLEACP has always been concerned about the impact on food production of its work on export crops. The PIP-2 and EDES programmes both have included this dimension and can advise on production for local and regional markets. This represents an opportunity for COLEACP to make available its methodology and capacity-building tools, originally developed for the export sector, to short supply chains.Train-the-trainers sessions for short supply chainsIn 2011, the government of Côte d'Ivoire asked COLEACP to become involved with small operators who sell their goods at local markets. It wished to help them maintain access to this outlet as the public authorities launched a programme to improve the sanitary and phytosanitary conditions for goods sold on the markets. Based on a fact-finding mission, an ambitious action plan was drawn up targeting five essential crops: banana, cabbage, tomato, eggplant and sweet potato. The main challenge was selecting the key personnel to be trained in a context of extremely fragmented production. COLEACP turned to the many cooperatives and associations that help structure small-scale operators in the country, and to two other key players in local distribution: the National Agency for Support for Rural Development (Agence nationale d’appui au développement rural - ANADER), active in agricultural extension, and Océana, a new private operator in large-scale vegetable production. Around 15 technicians selected by these structures will be trained as part of the PIP Programme. The training will focus on improving the agricultural practices of small operators: safety, hygiene, traceability, crop protection and sensible and safe use of inputs. It will also teach training practices, giving future trainers a method and tools enabling them to share their knowledge with interested parties. COLEACP has regularly organised train-the-trainers courses such as the one implemented in Côte d’Ivoire, always with a view to spreading new know-how to small producers, working through their associations or through private and public extension agencies.In Mali, 15 trainers were trained in September 2013 based on a request by three cooperatives of small producers and two non-governmental organisations.COLEACP has taken the same initiative in the Caribbean. Working together with the Caribbean Farmers Local and regional markets are developing into important outlets for the agrifood sector in Africa and the Caribbean. They represent an attractive alternative to export. Network (CaFAN), in December 2013, trained around 30 agriculture extension workers from throughout the Caribbean. The goal is to give 500 000 small producers in the CaFAN network access to more promising markets, including hotels, restaurants, and minimarkets and supermarkets. (…)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).