HortiFresh: Program to boost horticultural production and exports in West Africa launched
In a bid to boost
horticultural production and promote commercial fruit and vegetable sector
development in Ghana and Ivory Coast, the HortiFresh West Africa programme has
been launched at the plush La Palm Royal Beach Resort on Thursday September 20,
2018 in Accra.
The program which
aims at establishing a sustainable and internationally competitive fruit and
vegetable sector that contributes to inclusive economic growth, food and
nutrition security in Ghana and Ivory Coast is being implemented by a consortium
of Wageningen UR, SNV Ghana, Resilience, Advance Consulting and SENSE.
It is supported
by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands which has prioritized
commercial agriculture in its strategic plan of moving from aid to trade.
At the launch,
the Deputy Minister for Horticulture, Mr. George Oduro and the Netherlands
Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. Mr. Ron Strikker, cut a mango cake to officially
launch the program.
Speaking at
the launch, Mrs. Sheila Assibey-Yeboah presented core activities, which include
the support for innovative business ideas of small and medium enterprises and
the development of strong horticulture clusters in key tomato, onion and mango
production areas. Through these activities the programme wants to reach at
least 15,000 smallholder farmers by 2021, with a 20% increase in their
productivity.
A first case
in point was presented during the launch; as a Cooperation Agreement was signed
between the Fruitmaster, Rabobank Foundation and HortiFresh to develop a
5,000m2 greenhouse in the Volta Region.
In the Cooperation Agreement the three
partners commit themselves to the financing and technical support for quality
production of tomatoes, bell peppers and cucumbers for the national market,
employing at least 25 new staff that will operate the greenhouse and grading
facilities.
For HortiFresh and Rabobank Foundation the pilot forms the start of
a longer term partnership, through which a number of projects, particularly
those with an emphasis on smallholder farmers, will be supported.
HortiFresh
succeeds the GhanaVeg programme which was implemented between 2014 and 2017.
GhanaVeg supported more than 30 innovative projects that were implemented by
lead companies.
The programme worked on a number of issues in the enabling
environment, ranging from phytosanitary issues to food safety, addressing environmental
concerns and increasing public awareness on health and nutrition. GhanaVeg
organized 20 well-attended Business Platform meetings in Accra, Kumasi and Tamale;
which further reinforced sector partnerships and business to business trade
deals.
HortiFresh is
expected to further build on and continue these activities.
At the launch,
two of the most successful companies, Eden Tree Limited and AB Farms, presented
the results of the GhanaVeg projects.
Through the collaboration both companies
were able to double their revenues and work closely with more than 50
outgrowers each.
For his part,
Netherlands Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. Ron Strikker affirmed the Netherlands’
commitment in moving from aid to trade and highlighted the key role of the
private sector in this.
While alluding
to the opportunities that focus on improving food safety for the domestic
market, better quality and added value for export markets, he called on the
financial sector to prioritize the horticulture sector in the loan portfolio;
as the program has identified many reliable companies with profitable business
projects.
A call of for
Concept Notes was announced, inviting small and medium enterprises(SMEs) to
submit innovative business ideas that promote the sustainable uptake of inputs
like quality seeds and irrigation equipment. The call also solicits concepts
that focus on the provision of agronomic services, like professional spray and
extension advisory services. The full call for concept notes can be found at: www.ghanaveg.org/grants.
HortiFresh
programme consists of two components: fruits and vegetables. In Ghana,
attention will be given to the fruit and vegetable sectors while focusing on
the other regional fruit supply chain dimensions in the surrounding countries
like Ivory Coast.
The objectives include improving productivity in the
vegetable sector; facilitating more efficient markets, including linking
vegetable producers and other value chain operators with the Dutch private sector
improving the business climate and further professionalizing the value chain
for vegetable production and consumption in Africa.
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