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.


CLICK THE LINKS BELOW FOR MORE STORIES:

http://ghananewsone.com/2018/09/hortifresh-program-to-boost-horticultural-production-and-exports-in-west-africa-launched/

https://awakeafrica.com/hortifresh-program-to-boost-horticultural-production-and-exports-in-west-africa-launched/


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Photo of a man with amazingly ‘super head’ causes a stir on social media

Image
Many eyes have seen it but are yet to believe. To those who are convinced that God's creature exits on earth with such a weird shape of head have been left totally flabbergasted and worried too.That is human nature; doubting Thomases everywhere. A man whose photo has been making rounds on social media platforms has been the one in the centre of a huge controversy that rendered onlookers astounded and divided. The photograph in question has really created a scene that is of comic relief and over-sensational. The problem per se is not about his facial appearance but borders specifically on the 'caricature' shape of his head coupled with his jaw-jutting chin which has become the point of attraction at all cost.  It appears no amount of words could best describe the shape of his 'Hill-Valley-Hill Head' which looks very sparkling without hairs on it.  But some social media users who caught sight of the photograph have been reacting with varying...
Read more

Samsung opens ultramodern showroom in Accra

Image
Samsung Electronics West Africa (SEWA), Africa’s largest electronic company has partnered with Electroland Ghana Limited to open an ultramodern brand store in Accra aimed at offering customers   relaxed environment for the needed shopping satisfaction. The move forms part of efforts to maintain its position as the largest electronics company in Africa and to ensure consumers have easy access to world-class innovative electronic appliance and smart devices.   The new premium brand store, a magnificent building which can be spotted at Ring Road Central Former Alibert Building, near Paloma Hotel (about 200 meters away from the Kwame Nkrumah interchange, Circle, Accra) comes with a product experience zone and    full range of Samsung Digital Appliances and other Smart devices to give customers true satisfaction. It also seek to offer   consumers   the exclusive opportunities to experience the latest range of Samsung’s luxury products which includ...
Read more

Video: Saving lives, contributing to achieving SDGs; the success story of Human Rights Reporters Ghana

Image
  In a bid to help end the kidnappings as well as the burgeoning human rights and social issues in Ghana and beyond, the Human Rights Reporters Ghana (HRRG) in 2019 embarked on a ‘Nationwide Sensitization Campaign on Kidnapping, Teenage, Pregnancy and Tramadol/Drug Abuse’ (KTT). The campaign, popularly known as the ‘KTT Project’, focused on addressing issues of kidnapping, teenage pregnancy and drug abuse but equally set about creating a deeper education on human rights to bring about a cultural change. The ‘messiah initiative’ which saw a dedicated team of young volunteers in communities, schools and religious settings within three regions of the country managed to reach over 60,000 Ghanaians over two years sensitizing them on the most pressing and critical and social issues Ghana is facing.   HRRG team of volunteers The HRRG is a non-governmental organization (NGO) which brings together journalists, news editors, human rights activists, advocates, defenders and la...
Read more