Dummen Orange extended special award trophy and recognition certificate to EHPEA for its ‘unwavering support and commitment to excellence in the field’.
The certificate further states that EHPEA’s dedication to the horticulture industry has not only fostered innovation but also significantly contributed to the success of business community.
The special award was given during the annual workers days program which was celebrated yesterday colorfully in the presence of Aba Gedas, all management members and workers, representatives of various institutions and partners.
Yordanos Jemal, General Manager of the farm, stated that the farm has scored gliterring achievements irrespective of the various challenges encountered. She expressed her gratitude for all the workers and the management for the results achieved.
Benjamin Geopferich, Regional Director of Dummen Orange for Africa, attributed the success for the team spirit and committment of the management and the workers of the farm. He also attributed the success for the prudent leadership of the general manager.
The farm has also awarded its employees with outstanding performance.
Dummen is a pioneer in Ethiopia in the cutting industry. It currently employes more than 2,000 workers. Dummen is also proactive in Corporate Social Responsibility(CSR) activities including, among others, construction of elementary and high schools, kindergarten, roads, local administration offices, sponsorship of orphans, and the like for the last 20 years.
The farm produce and export Pelargonium and Poinsettias cuttings to Europe, USA and other international market destinations.
Recently, rose production around the equator has been relatively low. This was the case for both East African and Latin-American rose producers. For various reasons, available volumes were limited everywhere.
When main rose production areas around the world are facing lower production, shortages occur in the market and prices rise. It is a classic case of supply and demand, according to Aart Buizer of Fresco Flowers.
Kenyan winter “In July and August, at Royal FloraHolland, we saw that the supply of roses from East Africa via the auction was about 10% lower than last year. Kenya in particular was affected by a prolonged cold period with little sunlight. Although the total rainfall seemed average, it fell in a shorter period. However, the biggest impact on low production came from a combination of cold nights and lack of sunshine. This weather pattern is normally characteristic of the Kenyan winter, but this year it lasted a bit longer than usual.”
Aart continues, “The prolonged low production, combined with a sustained demand for flowers, has led to hefty price increases. Fortunately, we are now seeing production slowly increasing again. I expect us to be back to normal production levels within two to three weeks. This will change the relationship between supply and demand, and I also suspect that prices will fall again.”
False Codling Moth Besides the production problems, both Kenya and Ethiopia are also facing the False Codling Moth (FCM). Ten percent of all roses entering Europe have to be inspected for the presence of the FCM. As the Netherlands is by far the largest importer of Kenyan roses, the Dutch trade is directly affected. Something that also needs a lot of attention at the moment, according to Aart. “In Kenya, some nurseries have had to deal with this, which prevented them from exporting for a certain period. This didn’t have a positive impact on the already existing shortages.” Source floradaily
Ethiopia’s lucrative horticulture trade could stumble as exporters transfer rising production and research and development costs to their products, potentially discouraging international buyers, warn experts at the Ministry of Agriculture.
“The cost of horticulture research and production arising from the global energy crisis is making horticulture products expensive. Exporters are transferring these additional prices to end consumers. As a result, international horticulture consumers are being discouraged,” reads the Ministry’s horticulture development and marketing strategy.
Officials plan to expand the use of GMOs in horticulture farms as part of their plans to boost exports and productivity.
Ethiopia has thus far relied on foreign support, such as importing improved avocado seeds from Israel, in a bid to cut down on the extra costs.
The strategy notes that demand for Ethiopian horticultural products such as avocado and strawberry is growing substantially. However, officials see room for improvement.
The Ministry’s strategy includes plans to grow the number of dedicated horticulture export corridors to six in the coming eight years, with ambitions to see horticulture farms and exporters covered by comprehensive insurance policies.
Experts indicate the Bahir Dar, Abay Gorge, and South Gonder corridors can support up to 10,000 hectares of commercial horticulture farmland, with an additional 40,000 hectares for outgrowers. No less than 4,000 hectares have been designated for commercial farms in the Mekelle, Raya, and Alamata corridors to 4,000 hectares of commercial farms, with another 40,000 hectares for outgrowers.
Larger corridors in Awash, Dire Dawa, Harar, and Somali, as well as in Addis Ababa, Sidama and Oromia will raise the amount of land dedicated to commercial horticulture farming to more than 60,000 hectares, with much of it being dedicated to growing flowers.
Although fresh cut flowers generated close to USD 570 million of USD 630 million in horticultural exports last year, space for flower farms remains limited at around 1,200 hectares.
Ministry experts say the regional horticulture corridors were selected based on production suitability, proximity to airports, and the availability of processing facilities. Distance from ports in Djibouti, Sudan, and elsewhere was also considered.
The processing facilities are housed in the Yirgalem, Bure, Baker, and Bulbula agro-industrial parks.
The strategy also mandates the National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) with adjusting horticulture export retention rates, and providing daily international price updates to farmers. The Ethiopian Electric Utility (EEU) is charged with providing power infrastructure and supply to horticulture investment sites.
The federal government is looking to establish a domestic quality assurance system to maintain horticulture export standards, as well as a new set of laws to enable and regulate the registration, transaction, treatment, usage and disposal of pesticides.
The Ministry will establish a dozen horticulture quarantine facilities across the country in a bid to eliminate or reduce pest infestations.
Officials hope these measures will cut post-harvest losses by half.
The changes are also hoped to raise the number of commercial flower farms in the country, of which there are only 120 which cater to the export trade. On the other hand, there are 2.3 million farmers engaged in small-scale horticulture production, according to Ministry data.
Three-quarters of Ethiopia’s fresh cut flower exports go to markets in Europe. African markets, such as Djibouti, Somalia, South Africa, and Nigeria, account for 95 and 97 percent of fruit and vegetable exports, respectively.
Zuqualla Horti PLC is a farm located in Ethiopia, active in strawberry and ornamental cuttings production. They are now adopting gutter systems for hydroponic strawberry production and will host open days in September to showcase their latest developments.
Their vision is to be able to offer strawberries throughout the year, for different geographical markets. “With no real peak like what you see when growing outside 80 days after planting, but rather equal cycles of 6 months, we can plan better regarding market supply, labour and other costs,” Wout van Koppen, general manager of Zuqualla Horti PLC, says.
“We are happy to contribute and share our techniques with other Ethiopian growers, government officials and students so we can improve the horticulture industry in general. We want the private sector to visit the 16th and reserve the 17th more for government officials.”
During the field days, the Zuqualla team, Meteor Systems, and Flevoplant will show the visitors the new greenhouse and explain to them all the system’s advantages and the importance of investing in new technology in general.
Flevoplant is specialized in strawberry propagation and breeding with their “Flevo Berry” range. For Zuqualla they play an important role within the Ethiopian context because they breed varieties that are resistant to powdery mildew.
“Having resistant varieties enables us to solely use IPM in our greenhouses which is a big environmental bonus. Growing hydroponically also makes it much easier to control your population of insects”, Wout states.
Demo greenhouse The facility is equipped with a hanging growing system, drip irrigation and a Mini-Air tunnel, developed by Meteor Systems. “Our Mini-Air tunnel and suspended growing solution have big ergonomic advantages as they do not require bending down during harvest. Our labourers can pick while standing”, Wout says.
“We have experience with gutters from using them with our cuttings. In the cutting greenhouses, we have different types of gutters where we grow hydroponically in pots. The media that we use is volcanic ash, which is locally available here. It is the same media we also use for the strawberries. We also have experience with collecting wastewater; in our irrigation house, we have an Ozone system from AgroZone in Holland, recycling the wastewater. The Ozone system makes sure all the bacteria and viruses are killed so we can reuse the wastewater. This enables us to save about 30% of our fertilizer consumption, making it better for the environment. Using this experience and Ozone treatment, setting up the strawberry greenhouse is easier and applies the same methods.”
Save and re-use According to Wout, their Meteor Greenhouse has a lot of advantages above traditional open-field strawberry production. “We expect higher yield, need to use far less labour, it is much easier for IPM to be implemented, we can re-use all our wastewater and we can plant any time of the year. We could normally plant only until the rainy season ends, which is September, but now we can plan more evenly throughout the year.”
Growing in greenhouses enables you to not have the normal November to January big flush but rather a more evenly spread yield over the year. This ensures fewer seasonal workers and more permanent workers, which indirectly leads to improved quality products as permanent workers are always better trained.
“We also grow grass on the floor to create a good microclimate in the greenhouse under the gutters with a separate sprinkler line attached at the bottom of the gutters.” The movable sides of the greenhouse are all connected to their Priva computer. “We need to see if we can maintain higher temperatures during the night and if these two different aspects are adding towards this”, Wout states.
Climate and business in Ethiopia
The Emsflower Nursery, owned by the Kuipers family, invested in Zuqualla Horti PLC four years ago to expand their strawberry and cuttings business. Specifically, chrysanthemums, osteospermums and geraniums are unique as this area is ideally suited for them.
The climate is suited for both cuttings and strawberries as strawberries have been produced on the 40-hectare farm (with 20 hectares of strawberry fields and 8 hectares of propagation greenhouses) long before the change in ownership. “The combination of higher day temperatures and lower night temperatures at 1650m elevation is ideal, and the location of the farm is just 80km away from Adis Ababa which is great for logistics and exports.”
In Ethiopia, there is a shortage of foreign currency. “Half of the export earnings are converted into local currency.” That foreign currency remains with the private banks and exporters only receive half. Wout says this makes it difficult to repay the foreign debtors for installations and services during the season. “When you need half of the foreign currency for fertilizers, spare machine parts and IPM for example, there is less foreign currency available to invest further in greenhouses development.”
“Luckily our company is a third-generation family company (Emsflower), so they have long term commitment and vision compared to other investors,” Wout states.
Wout finds it positive that Ethiopian Airlines is very big. “They have easy access and networks globally, which is ideal for exports. It makes the marketing easier because of competitive rates and we can even export easily to smaller markets like Seychelles.” They also export to South Africa.
Ethiopia has an export deficit, so anything that can contribute toward exports will help. Challenges driving Zuqualla’s innovation apart from access to foreign currency include increased labour costs and high inflation rates (about 30% increases). “We provide our workers free lunch and also transport to and back from work. We cover their medical expenses while living costs increase. So, wherever we can we try to mechanise and automize.”
According to Wout, they will not reach the level of automation that you see in Europe for example, but they need to stay competitive with big producing countries and Spain, Morocco and Egypt, who have the advantage of driving by truck where Zuqualla needs to fly their produce out.
Wout and his team are hoping to set a standard in Ethiopia with their demo greenhouse for the next 20 years when it comes to strawberry production. The system is already proven in Europe, so they want Ethiopian systems to improve.
Zuqualla Horti PLC, a leading agricultural enterprise in Ethiopia, has officially opened its doors to showcase a groundbreaking new hydroponic strawberry farm. The farm, located in Koka, features a state-of-the-art gutter system designed to significantly boost strawberry production and improve sustainability.
The project, a collaborative effort with FlevoPlants, Meteor Systems, and Resilience, demonstrates Zuqualla’s commitment to agricultural innovation. The gutter system, a cutting-edge technology, offers several advantages, including increased productivity, reduced water consumption, and enhanced product quality.
This development marks a significant milestone for Ethiopian agriculture, as it introduces a sustainable and efficient method for cultivating soft fruits. By adopting this innovative approach, Zuqualla Horti PLC is paving the way for a more prosperous and resilient agricultural sector in the country.
Key benefits of the new gutter system include:
• Increased productivity: The system is optimized for efficient crop growth and management, leading to higher yields.
• Improved sustainability: By reducing the use of pesticides and fertilizers, the system promotes environmentally friendly farming practices.
• Enhanced labor conditions: The raised design of the gutter system makes it easier for workers to tend to the plants, improving their comfort and efficiency.
• Economic growth: The project is expected to boost Ethiopia’s exports of soft fruits, contributing to the country’s economic development.
The introduction of the gutter system is a testament to the growing collaboration between Ethiopia and the Netherlands in the agricultural sector. This project demonstrates the potential for innovative technologies to transform farming practices and create a more sustainable future for Ethiopia’s agriculture industry.
EHPEA’s Progress in Improving the Ethiopian Horticulture Sector
The Ethiopian Horticulture Producer Exporters Association (EHPEA) has made significant strides in improving the business climate for the horticulture sector. Key achievements include:
Land Lease Issues Resolved: Successful negotiations have addressed pending land lease agreements for farms in Batu and Bishoftu.
Tax-Related Challenges Addressed: EHPEA has facilitated discussions to resolve tax-related issues, including unjustified tax claims and the application of the 65/35 principle.
Incentive Package Revised: The incentive package for the importation of capital goods has been updated to align with the current economic landscape.
Public-Private Partnerships Strengthened: Four public-private partnership dialogue forums have been organized to address sector challenges and opportunities.
Cluster-Based Meetings and Training: EHPEA has conducted cluster-based meetings to resolve issues like salary increments and internal disputes and provided capacity-building training to task force members.
Studies and Assessments Conducted: EHPEA has conducted studies on tax-related challenges, input-output coefficients, export earnings retention, and cluster-specific needs.
Advocacy and Lobbying: EHPEA has advocated for various issues, including the revision of wall and roof taxes, access to finance, and improved peace and security in farming regions.
These efforts have contributed to a more favorable business environment for horticulture farms in Ethiopia and have positioned the sector for sustainable growth.
CAPACITY BUILDING
The Ethiopian Horticulture Producer Exporters Association (EHPEA) has made significant progress in enhancing its training services to support the sector’s growth and sustainability. Key achievements include:
EHPEA Strengthens Training Services for Horticulture Sector
Legal Framework Development: EHPEA is developing a robust legal framework for its TVET center, including Articles of Association, bylaws, and operating procedures.
Curriculum Expansion: Four new units of competence have been developed, covering essential skills in quality standards, nursery activities, and postharvest handling.
E-Learning Platform Development: EHPEA has developed e-learning modules on farm operations and established a comprehensive e-learning and knowledge management system.
Trainer Certification: Four trainers have achieved Level One Certification of Competence in Basic Horticulture Crop Production.
License Renewal: EHPEA successfully renewed its training center license for two years.
Training Program Delivery: EHPEA has conducted various training programs on safe pesticide use, pesticide storekeeping, farm safety, environment committees, crop scouting, and FCM management.
These initiatives have equipped horticulture farms with essential skills, knowledge, and techniques, fostering a more sustainable and competitive sector.
EHPEA’s Gender and Sustainable Development Initiatives
EHPEA has successfully implemented various gender-related training programs and initiatives to promote sustainable development and create equitable workplaces within the horticulture sector.
Key accomplishments include:
Gender Transformative Training: Conducted training for 18 participants from eight farms on integrating gender-transformative practices into farm operations.
Gender Auditing and Budgeting: Trained 16 management teams on gender-responsive budgeting and auditing, empowering them to create equitable workplace environments.
Workplace Sexual Harassment Prevention: Delivered training to 148 gender committee members on preventing workplace sexual harassment and GBV.
Conflict Management and Grievance Handling: Trained 70 participants on effective conflict resolution and grievance handling mechanisms.
Committee Awareness Creation: Conducted follow-up visits to assess the impact of committee awareness creation programs.
Gender-Related Training for Men: Provided training to 145 male employees on challenging harmful gender norms and promoting gender equality.
VAWG Training: Trained 130 gender committee members on violence against women and girls (VAWG).
HR and Conflict Management Training: Trained HR managers and farm managers on relevant topics.
Corporate Due Diligence Workshop: Organized a workshop on the German Act on Corporate Due Diligence and the EU regulation.
Experience Sharing: Conducted experience-sharing sessions on SRHR, GE, and OSH practices.
These initiatives have contributed to creating more inclusive and equitable workplaces, promoting gender equality, and advancing sustainable development within the horticulture sector.
PROMOTION OF THE SECTOR AND MARKET LINKAGE
EHPEA Drives Horticulture Sector Growth Through Strategic Initiatives
The Ethiopian Horticulture Producers and Exporters Association (EHPEA) has been instrumental in promoting investment and exports within the Ethiopian horticulture sector. Here’s a concise overview of their achievements:
International Representation: The Ethiopian Horticulture Producers and Exporters Association (EHPEA) has successfully promoted Ethiopian horticulture products on the international market through active participation in four trade fairs. These events provided a platform for EHPEA to connect with over 246 potential buyers, fostering business opportunities and expanding the sector’s reach.
By showcasing Ethiopia’s diverse range of horticulture products, EHPEA has strengthened the country’s reputation as a reliable and competitive supplier.
Experience Sharing Events: EHPEA facilitated knowledge sharing through events like the “FCM experience sharing program” which empowered flower farms to combat False Codling Moth (FCM). Additionally, a media tour program raised awareness about advancements in Ethiopian horticulture.
Promotional Materials: EHPEA published informative booklets and folders highlighting investment opportunities and sector updates. They also distributed New Year giveaways and maintained a strong social media presence to promote the sector.
These initiatives have significantly contributed to:
Promoted Ethiopian Horticulture Brand: By showcasing Ethiopia’s potential, EHPEA promoted the country horticulture sector globally.
Export Market Growth: Participation in international fairs and buyer connections have expanded export opportunities for member farms.
Knowledge Sharing and Capacity Building: Educational events and media outreach have empowered stakeholders and improved farming practices.
Sector Visibility: EHPEA’s promotional efforts have enhanced the global recognition of Ethiopian horticulture.
In conclusion, EHPEA’s commitment to promoting investment, exports, and knowledge sharing has positioned Ethiopia’s horticulture sector for sustainable growth and international success.
Contact Info
Location : Micky Leyland Avenue on the Road to Atlas Hotel, NB Business Center; 6th floor; Room #603
