EHPEA and Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition(GAIN) joined hands to promote workplace nutrition in the horticulture farms. This was disclosed today at Nexus hotel.
Executive Director of EHPEA, Mr.Tewodros Zewdie, stated that work place nutrition has a multifaced benefits to workers and farms as it helps to ensure productivity and profitability in addition to ensuring wellbeing of workers.
He reiterated the readiness of EHPEA to promote workplace nutrition in close partnership with GAIN.
According to him, many horticulture farms are taking exemplary leadership in improving wage, Occupational Health and Safety(OSH) , Sexual and Reproductive Health issues, Corporate Social Responsibility(CSR), work place nutrition and etc…
GAIN interventions in Ethiopia primarily focus on to ensure better diets for children, large-scale food fortification, and reducing postharvest Loss.
EHPEA is serving as Secretary of the National private sector pillar under Ethiopian Food Systems Transformation and Nutrition(EFSTN).
The Ethiopian Horticulture and Producer Exporters Association (EHPEA) has officially launched a new urban agriculture program titled “Vertical Farming for Young Urban Farmers under the Employee Innovation Fund Program” in partnership with The Mastercard Foundation and Digital Opportunity Trust. The initiative is designed to equip young people in urban areas with practical skills and technical knowledge in modern vertical farming systems, contributing to sustainable food production and youth employment.
The program aims to reach 600 young urban farmers, providing them with comprehensive technical guidance on vertical farming practices and supporting pathways toward employment and job creation within the horticulture sector. By promoting innovative production methods suited to limited urban spaces, the program responds to growing challenges related to land scarcity, food security, and sustainable urban development.
Vertical farming, the core focus of the program, enables crop production in stacked layers using different production technologies. This approach significantly reduces land and water use, lowers environmental footprints, and brings fresh produce closer to urban consumers, thereby minimizing transportation-related emissions.
The launch event brought together key stakeholders and partners from the horticulture and agribusiness sectors. During the event, Mr. Roy Brosh, Chief Business Officer of Joytech fresh Plc, presented advanced hydroponics vertical farming technologies, highlighting their potential to maximize productivity and resource efficiency. In addition, Ato. Dinku Desalegne, Farm Manager at Metrolux Flowers, shared practical experiences in hydroponic strawberry production, demonstrating the commercial viability and adaptability of vertical farming systems.
The event also featured active discussions and knowledge exchange among participants, reflecting strong collaboration and shared commitment to advancing urban agriculture in the city and around.
Ato. Tewodros Zewdie, Executive Director of EHPEA, emphasized that urban vertical farming is not only a solution to food production challenges in rapidly growing cities but also a strategic opportunity to improve nutrition, promote environmental sustainability, and create meaningful employment for young people. EHPEA continues to play a leading role in fostering innovation and resilience within the horticulture sector.
EHPEA held a Gender-Sensitive Management Training, at Dummen Orange, which welcomed 28 participants from top and middle management. This initiative aims to enhance awareness and equip leaders with practical skills to integrate gender-responsive approaches into their management and decision-making processes.
During the training, participants engaged in interactive sessions, discussions, and case studies that emphasized the importance of gender equality in the workplace. By fostering an inclusive environment, we can ensure diverse perspectives are valued, leading to improved team dynamics and better business outcomes.
We believe that investing in gender-sensitive management is not just a moral imperative but also a strategic advantage. Together, we can create a more inclusive and equitable workplace for everyone.
Thank you to all participants for your commitment to this important journey!
The Ethiopian Horticulture Producer Exporters Association (EHPEA) has initiated a new urban vertical farming intervention aimed at promoting horticulture-based food production in cities while building the technical and business capacity of urban farmers and interested investors. The initiative responds to the growing demand for fresh, safe, and high-quality fruits and vegetables, while supporting sustainable food systems and income generation.
Through this initiative, aimed in equipping participants particularly youth and women with practical skills in vertical horticulture farming as an efficient, affordable and scalable solution. Protected cultivation, efficient water use, quality input management, post-harvest handling, entrepreneurship, market linkages, and investment readiness are also among others anticipated initiatives.
As part of the effort, EHPEA’s technical team visited an indoor fruit and vegetable production project in Kirkos Sub-City, implemented under the Addis Ababa City Administration farmers and urban agriculture development commission piloting at Abiyot Kirs Secondary School. The visit highlighted innovative hydroponics and floating technologies that efficiently utilize limited urban space and demonstrated the potential of urban horticulture to supply fresh produce year-round while conserving land and water.
EHPEA remains committed to inclusive and sustainable horticulture development by supporting innovative urban solutions that strengthen food security, create jobs, and empower communities across Ethiopia.
The Ethiopian Horticulture Producer Exporters Association (EHPEA) is actively working to enhance logistics services for the horticulture export sector! Our Executive Director, Mr. Tewodros Zewdie, recently held a productive meeting with the management team of the Ethiopia Djibouti Railway (EDR) to foster a crucial business collaboration.
The key focus of this strategic dialogue was to co-create a framework for seamless logistics, including: • Strategic Horticulture Price Incentives: Discussing preferential rates to support the competitiveness of Ethiopian produce. • Capacity Building: Exploring joint initiatives to enhance the efficiency and handling capabilities for temperature-sensitive cargo. • Strengthening Business Links: Identifying areas for sustained cooperation between EDR and EHPEA members.
In a major highlight of the meeting, EHPEA extended an invitation to the Ethiopia Djibouti Railway to exhibit at the upcoming HortiFlora Expo. This premier international horticulture trade show will be held in Addis Ababa from March 24 to 26, 2026.
The expo will provide an unparalleled opportunity for EDR to directly engage with a large network of potential horticulture exporters, showcase their services, and establish vital links, all under one roof!
This collaboration marks a significant step towards optimizing the export value chain and ensuring the freshness and timely delivery of Ethiopian horticultural products to the global market.
EHPEA inks Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with F.D.R.E Technical and Vocational Training Institute (FTVTI) today at the headquarter of FTVTI.
The objective of the MoU is to contribute to the further development of the horticulture sub- sector at both regional and national levels through the implementation of collaborative activities.
The agreed areas include, among others, bridging the skill mismatch between the demand of the industry and the TVET programs, designing programs to ensure the competitiveness of the industry, updating curricula and training programs to match industry needs, including digital, climate-smart and green skills.
The FDRE Technical and Vocational Training Institute (FTVTI) (Previously known as Federal TVET Institute, and Ethiopian Technical University) is a national Institute striving for the advancement of the TVET sector, established in 2011 by the Council of Ministers Regulation No 245/2011 with a mission to Produce a competent, innovative, and resourceful TVET teachers and leaders through the provisions of quality short term and long-term training and maintain quality of instruction so that to realize the vision to be the world-class TVET teachers and leading training institute.
The MoU was signed by Dr. Biruk Kedir, Director General of FTVTI and Mr. Tewodros Zewdie, Executive Director of EHPEA.
📅 Save the Date, March 24 – 26, 2026, Addis International Convention Center, Addis Ababa.
🌍 About HortiFlora Expo 2026
HortiFlora Expo, Ethiopia’s leading international horticulture exhibition, returns for its 10th edition in March 2026. Held biennially in Addis Ababa, the expo stands out for its exceptional organization and for bringing together the full global horticulture supply chain under one roof.
This year’s event will host more than 200 local and international exhibitors, attracting global players ranging from producers and breeders to input suppliers, buyers, investors, logistics providers, cold-chain specialists, technology firms, financial institutions, and service providers.
As one of Africa’s strongest B2B platforms, the expo will welcome buyers from Europe, the Middle East, the Far East, the U.S., Canada, the U.K., and China, creating opportunities for new sales agreements and long-term partnerships.
HortiFlora Expo 2026 is hosted by the Ethiopian Horticulture Producer Exporters Association (EHPEA) in collaboration with HPP Exhibitions Worldwide, with a shared goal of promoting Ethiopia’s rapidly growing horticulture sector and enabling meaningful business engagement.
🎯 Theme & Objectives
Theme: “The Future is Horticulture”
Key Objectives:
Strengthen B2B engagement
Promote a positive global image of Ethiopia
Showcase investment opportunities in the horticulture sector
Enhance economic cooperation and partnerships 📌 Side Events & Programs Participants will have access to a diverse lineup of side programs, including:
Sustainability promotion sessions
High-level forums on investment, logistics, agro-logistics, and finance
B2B, B2C, and B2G meetings
A buyers’ mission organized in collaboration with Ethiopian embassies abroad
Discussions on global market trends, standards, and emerging challenges—attended by senior government officials, the private sector, civil society, and farmer organizations 👥 Who Will Attend?
200+ national and international exhibitors
Horticulture producers and exporters
Input suppliers
Government investment bureaus
Academic and research institutions
Financial institutions
Logistics and cold-chain service providers
Technology service providers
Cooperatives and unions
International development partners
Visitors from across the globe 🌱 Expected Outcomes HortiFlora Expo 2026 is designed to deliver high-impact results, including:
New sales agreements and trade deals
A global showcase of Ethiopia’s horticulture potential
Enhanced business and market development opportunities
Promotion of investment prospects
Strengthened international economic relations
Improved visibility and branding of Ethiopia
Extensive networking and partnership-building 🌺 Join Us at HortiFlora Expo 2026 By participating in HortiFlora Expo 2026, businesses and institutions will gain unparalleled access to potential partners, emerging markets, and investment opportunities—while contributing to the continued growth and transformation of Ethiopia’s horticulture sector.
Contact Info
Location : Micky Leyland Avenue on the Road to Atlas Hotel, NB Business Center; 6th floor; Room #603 Phone : +251 11 6636750 P.O.Box: 22241 Code 1000 Email: info@ehpea.org
