The Europe-Africa-Caribbean-Pacific Liaison Committee (COLEACP ) launched the Fit for Market programme to assist the horticultural sector in the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) regions in December 2016. The programme, managed by COLEACP , is part of the intra‐ACP indicative programme (2014‐2020) for co-operation between the European Union (EU) and the ACP countries. The budget for the five-year programme is €25 million, including €20 million from the European Development Fund (EDF).
Speaking on the sidelines of the Fruit Logistica Expo recently held in Berlin, Germany, the COLEACP Regional Coordinator of Operations, Ms. Yessie Meyer, said that they will launch the Zimbabwe edition of the Fit for Market programme in Harare on the 30th of May 2017.
“The programme aims at assisting the growth of enterprises, by improving their access to domestic and international markets, whilst at the same time strengthening the horticultural value chain through capacity building”, said Ms. Meyer.
The programme will assist producers and exporters to implement good agricultural practices such as global gap and other private standards, sustainable environmental management practices as well as facilitate access to finance, among other things.
“Our model is to impart technical expertise to locals so that they can be empowered to continue with the programme in a sustainable framework”, added Ms. Meyer.
Publish Date: Tuesday 16 May 2017
