Category: Our News

Lack of tax regime that takes in to consideration the peculiar characterstics of the horticulture export industry has been a challenge. cognizant of the challenges we comissioned a study. After series of consultations at different hierarchies of Ministry of Revenue, today we have deliberated at length on the study document on the challenges and remedies of the problems in the presence of, among others, State Ministers of Ministry of Agriculture and Revenue, top officials of Ministry of Revenue, and Branch Managers of Ministry of Revenue. We have reached consensus on addressing the policy vacuums for a number of ambiguous issues and also on addressing implementation challenges. Happy with this critical milestone. Our policy engagement bearing fruits as usual.

A discussion platform on practical concern of the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) annual plan for 2014 E.C held today at Ethiopian Agricultural Research Institute. On the meeting Horticulture Exporters drown from EHPEA member farms reflected the core challenges of the sector which needs to be addressed on the proposed action plan. State Minister of Ministry of Agriculture, Ato. Wondale Habtamu stated that the sector contributed 487 million USD within 11 months and expected to reach 525 million USD by the end of this fiscal year. He also added, to have a breakthrough in the sector, improving the business climate and synergy from the responsible government offices will be mandatory. The discussion adjourned by taking all the inputs to incorporate in the annual plan.

Government Stakeholders engagement workshop held today June 15, 2021 at Holeta Yilma Hotel with the objective of Creating Decent Workplace by ensuring Gender Equality and accessing SRHR for Sustainable Horticulture Sector Development. As part of it farm visit were conducted at Agriceft farm to have a look on best employment practices.

Tana Flora PLC. inagurated the newly built class rooms donated to Tana Dar elementary school in Bahirdar to its surrounding community with a cost of 2.5 million ETB. The brand new building holds five classrooms to minimize the congestion that the school faces. It will also allow for more children to have access to a primary school education.The Ethiopian Horticulture Producer Exporters Association (EHPEA), also extended its support by equipping the class rooms with the necessary educational tools. In addition to this, Tana Flora PLC. donated 2.7 million birr for the infrastructure of electricity. On the event different government officials and community representatives were in attendance.

EHPEA organized an experience sharing visit held on April 6/2021, at Ethio Agri CEFT Plc. farm on their best practice of recycling green waste into compost and liquid fertilizer which favours the company input supply cost reduction while conserving the environment.

The program organized in line with World Environment Day celebration with a theme “Ecosystem Restoration through Better Waste Management Practice for Safe and Sustainable Future in Horticulture Investment”.
On the visit EHPEA member farm representatives got the exposure to observe the practical Vermi-composing and Vermi-culturing outputs of the farm which makes the farm beneficial for sustainable organic horticulture production and maintaining balanced ecosystem.

Vermicomposting is a process whereby earthworms transform organic residues into compost that can be used as a substrate for plant growth.
According to Ethio Agri CEFT farm manager Ato. Leul Debas, since the company started applying this technology they managed to reduce cost of liquid fertilizer imports by 33% as well as chemical usage by 50%.

EHPEA executive director stated on his closing remarks that the Association is dedicated in creating such kind of learning platforms to support the scientific knowledge transfer has a key role for the sector’s sustainability and address environment concerns.

EHPEA members and representatives of the business community met and discussed with senior officials of the National Bank to discuss on Directive No. XD/70/2021 regarding “The Amendment of Retentions and Utilizations of Export Earning and Inward Remittances”.

Two vice governors and a director from the National Bank of Ethiopia gave an explanation about the rationales that led about the amendment of the previous directive and also the purpose of the newly incorporated clauses of the amendment.

EHPEA members have also raised their concerns and the potential impact of the newly introduced amendment on their operation. After deliberating at length agreement has been reached to make an assessment on the potential adverse impact of the new directive and also to take corrective measures on the basis of the assessment.

President of the Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Association (ECCSA), Ato Melaku Ezezew, on his part underscored the need to have prior consultation with stakeholders before enactment of such type of directives to minimize potential adverse impacts on the business community.

The discussion forum was organized by EHPEA and the Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Association.