The Ethiopian Horticulture Producer Exporters Association (EHPEA) member farms in Ziwayi cluster has extolled the collective efforts employed by key stakeholders to the success in combating False Codling Moth (FCM), which was a major threat to Ethiopia’s floriculture production and export performance.
EHPEA has been actively engaged in managing FCM through specialized teams, trainings and protocols and science-based system approach.
An event was held on Thursday to recognize individuals from different institutions, who have played a significant role in achieving milestones in the fight against FCM, a threat to Ethiopia’s floriculture continued success and export growth.
On the occasion, EHPEA Executive Director Tewodros Zewdie highlighted the extensive collaborative efforts undertaken by EHPEA, the Ethiopian Agriculture Authority (EAA), farms, and partners, including among others, Embassy of the Kingdome of the Netherlands (EKN), Trade Mark Africa, Union Fleurs- International Flower Trade Association, the Netherlands Food and Consumer Products Safety Authority (NVWA), CBI and COLEAD.
He also reiterated that respective measures were taken at national, farm and EHPEA levels in the process involving team formation, conducting overseas study tour, awareness raising sessions and massive training as well as designing and implementing protocol and science-based system approach.
Highlighting that best practices from Kenya were successfully adopted and implemented in the country to tackle the problem, the Executive Director commended all stakeholders and partners for their significant contributions in safeguarding the floriculture from such devastating pest.
Handing over certificates to individual professionals who played active role in the process, EAA Deputy Director Wondale Habtamu (PhD) noted that the dedicated efforts and collaboration demonstrated in tackling FCM serve as valuable lesson and a model of best practices for other sectors to emulate when addressing such challenges that threaten development and growth.
He also stated the rigorous journeys made throughout the process by collaborating with key partners and stakeholders towards the success which safeguards the sector and keeps the smooth production and export of Ethiopia’s horticulture products.
Reminding the need to say vigilant, the Deputy Director emphasized the importance of strengthening such impactful coordinated efforts and fostering dedicated collaboration among partners within the sub-sector and beyond to prevent potential infestations by FCM and other pests.
EHPEA Board Member, Lulit Tadele emphasized that this big achievement represents a national success story, even though various individuals and institutions played a role in the process.
She emphasized that achieving such recognition and even the possibility of export would not have been feasible without the dedicated efforts in combating the issue. She praised all those involved for contributing to the success of the country’s promising sector.
Board Members of EHPEA and members held a constructive consultative meeting with H.E Ato Debele Kabeta, Commissioner and Ato Ezezew Chane, Deputy Commissioner and senior management of Ethiopian Customs Commission(ECC) at the headquarter of ECC.
The deliberations includes, among others, the need for capacity building on the rules and customs procedures for the horticulture export industry operators so as to foster due compliance, building the capacity of customs experts on the peculiar characterstics of the horticulture farms and, valuation issues, expediting release of import containers, franco-valuta, and also fostering issues that can further fuel the transformation of the horticulture industry.
Board members of EHPEA expressed their deep satisfaction on the reforms undertaken by Customs and also called for addressing remaining challenges.
Commissioner Debele on his part expressed the readiness of his office to support the industry in a proactive manner. He further reiterated the readiness of his commission to cater quality service for manufacturers and producers to catalyze the growth and competitiveness of companies operating in Ethiopia. He also called on the companies to build capacity and to comply with customs rules and regulations.
It is agreed to meet every month in a structured manner to proactively address any challenges and also to strategize the further competitiveness of the industry.
A team from Ethiopian Cargo visited horticulture farms in Bishoftu town to gain first-hand insight into sustainable, high-tech farming practices, as well as advanced packaging and storage systems supporting global exports.
As part of ongoing efforts to strengthen collaboration and expand international market destinations, the team held discussions on the way forward to enhance communication and work more closely together across the value chain.
Accompanied by staff from EHPEA, the three-member Ethiopian Cargo team toured Yasin Legesse and JoyTech Farming sites, where farm managers and staff provided detailed briefings. The discussions covered the wide range of flowers, herbs, and vegetables produced, modern farming techniques, packaging and cold-storage facilities, and the international destinations served by these products.
The visit served as a valuable platform to exchange ideas, strengthen partnerships, and reaffirm a shared commitment to supporting Ethiopia’s growing horticulture export sector.
Ethiopian Horticulture Producer Exporters Association (EHPEA) in collaboration with Flower Watch, successfully organized an insightful training session focused on the latest developments in cold chain management for the floriculture sector.
The training brought together participants from various flower farms and from Ethiopian airlines, providing a unique platform for knowledge exchange and professional development.
The session covered key topics, including the most recent updates in flower logistics, lessons learned from ongoing cold chain projects in Ethiopia, strategies for cool chain optimization, and innovative approaches to tackling Botrytis fungicide resistance in roses, among other critical subjects.
This initiative reflects EHPEA’s commitment to supporting the Ethiopian floriculture industry by promoting best practices, enhancing operational efficiency, and ensuring global competitiveness.
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
