Agriculture

9 May 2023 - Daniel K. Kalinaki

Expanded production and value addition powering Solomon Islands' food exports

Since 2019, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, with support from the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF), has been implementing the “Enhancing Capacity for Agriculture Trade” (ECAT) project across Solomon Islands. The Ministry of Health and Medical Services, and that of agriculture and livestock, are also involved.

11 April 2023 - Inga Chilashvili Chenge Nyagweta

Empowering farmers: Enhancing Zambia's horticultural exports

Farming is a demanding sector, particularly for those seeking to compete in the global market. Many farmers in Zambia are unable to meet international standards and other requirements in importing countries that can help them implement good agricultural practices and stand out on the world stage.

6 September 2022

Dried mangos are juicing up Burkina Faso’s fruit exports

Aware of the premium on value-added exports, the government of Burkina Faso between 2014 and 2018 partnered with the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) to improve the drying and certification process of dried mangos for export. The project has been key to slowly but firmly pushing the country towards modernizing its agro-processing businesses – and juicing up its exports.

16 August 2022

Tea Processing at Innovative Jasbire Tea Factory

The tea makers eagerly await a specific aroma or, as they say, “for the teas to speak.” The machines are switched off as soon as the leaves emit that particular aroma. The rolled hunks of darker, chunkier leaves are then hauled to the drying machine. There, another dexterous worker awaits the leaves.

24 May 2022

Soy, the magic bean of Togo's economy

In 2015, Togo produced less than 25,000 tons of soybeans. Since then, production increased five-fold to more than 200,000 tons in 2021. How did this happen?

5 May 2022 - Ratnakar Adhikari

The war in Ukraine could bring economies of poorest countries on brink of catastrophe

The impact of the war in Ukraine on food and fuel prices will weaken economies already battered by the COVID-19 pandemic and climate-related disasters.

22 March 2022

In CAR farmers plant maize and harvest peace

Supporting farmers and agricultural cooperatives in a post-conflict context is not what funders of international aid often consider a safe bet. But turning swords into ploughs can pave a sustainable path out of conflict for communities, as results from a project supported by the Enhanced Integrated Framework in four districts of the country show.

14 December 2021 - Deanna Ramsay

Benin's potential in pineapples

Yet the country is now Africa’s fourth largest pineapple exporter, and its trade of the fruit with the European Union (EU) increased by almost six times between 2000 and 2014, reaching between 400,000 and 500,000 tons a year. But in 2017 there was a major hitch when the government instituted a voluntary ban on exports to the EU because of high pesticide levels found in its fruit.

19 August 2021

Shea is trading in French-speaking Africa

The multimillion-dollar shea industry is booming in French-speaking Africa. With the right support, there is a lot of room for the sector to grow and for rural women to benefit.

19 August 2021

High-value agriculture is trading in French-speaking Africa

French-speaking Africa is home to high-value agricultural products. EIF is working with producers and processors to make sure they can meet national and global market demands.

19 August 2021

What's trading in French-speaking Africa?

French-speaking Africa has a lot of potential for trade. Find out what sectors have the most promise.

13 April 2021

How West Africa’s cashew companies have weathered the COVID-19 crisis

Originally published by the OECD on 4th March.

8 April 2021 - Deanna Ramsay

In West Africa, can organic shea become a solution?

Getting organic certification for shea can be a journey

18 February 2021 - Aadesh Subedi

Rising heat and snow-bare peaks chill Nepal's mountain economy

Originally published by Thomson Reuters Foundation, Tuesday, 9 February 2021 03:30 GMT

11 February 2021

Story: Gambian entrepreneur empowers women through organic cotton production

Originally published by International Trade Centre on 3rd February 2021

2 February 2021 - Deanna Ramsay

In Ethiopia, finding plenty in processing

The quiet outside the nondescript warehouse belies what is happening inside. Machines whir, and halls and walls are piled high with filled sacks of sesame, of chickpeas, of mung beans.

26 January 2021 - Deanna Ramsay

With trade aims, Guinea looking to address agricultural potential

Guinea trying out south-south cooperation venture with Tunisia Trade in Guinea today centres mostly around the export of gold and bauxite, which is used to create aluminum. The country has the world’s largest deposits of the red rock, and aluminum prices are increasing.

19 January 2021 - Deanna Ramsay

Changing mindsets, boosting farmer spirits in the Solomon Islands

A fresh style of training for agriculturalists addresses topics from creativity to financial literacy

5 January 2021 - Deanna Ramsay

Luring honey profits in Ethiopia

Trainings in beekeeping and the provision of hives aims to create additional income sources for agriculturalists Beekeeping doesn’t come naturally, really.

10 December 2020 - Fabrizio Meliadò Thabo Joshua Moea

How cotton and its by-products can help create resilience for African smallholders

For smallholder farmers and processors in LDCs, cotton by-products could provide additional income as they adjust to COVID-19 and other exogenous factors impacting world lint prices

3 December 2020 - Aminou Arouna, Guillaume Soullier, Patricio Mendez del Villar and Matty Demont

Mitigating the impacts of COVID-19 on domestic rice value chains and food security in West Africa

Rice plays a strategic role in food security in West Africa, but the region increasingly relies on imports, and local value chains face constraints in terms of technology, finance and coordination.

24 November 2020 - Dr. Karishma Banga

Can digital platforms help mitigate agricultural losses from COVID in Uganda?

The government of Uganda put containment measures in place to tackle COVID-19. These included quarantines; bans on public gatherings and weekly markets; closures of schools, borders and nonessential retail outlets; and the suspension of international flights.

24 September 2020 - Marlynne Hopper

Future-proofing safe trade now urgent for developing countries

COVID-19 is highlighting the interconnectedness of agri-food trade; and work needs to be done to mobilise action to build safe food systems

16 September 2020 - Deanna Ramsay

Sweetening the deal for Ethiopia's honey trade

“Ethiopia has huge potential in honey if we increase our capacity in terms of some value addition of the honey products and identifying new markets. In terms of capacity in Africa, I think we are the leading country, so we can develop this as a new area to get export earnings,” said Mesgenu Arga Moach, State Minister of Ethiopia’s Ministry of Trade and Industry.

18 August 2020

Launching a small business, leveraging trade fairs

Biruktawit Begashaw started her own export company, Qine Trading, five years ago in Addis Ababa. Her business got a boost after attending Gulfood in Dubai, sponsored through Ethiopia’s Ministry of Trade and Industry and the Enhanced Integrated Framework.

18 August 2020 - Deanna Ramsay

Focusing on export development, Ethiopia’s small businesses seeing success

For a new business owner, one international trade fair got things rolling

10 August 2020 - Deanna Ramsay

In prioritising potato exports, Bhutan looking to tech

There was space to enhance this system – by improving the quality and packaging of the potatoes Bhutan puts up for sale, making prices more competitive and shortening the transaction times for farmers.

5 August 2020 - Brendan Vickers Salamat Ali Collin Zhuawu

Looking at LDCs, food and COVID-19

Food products comprise around 17% of LDC merchandise imports – more than double the world average of 8%.

16 July 2020 - Sophia Gnych

COVID-19 and the seed sector: How countries are navigating challenges

OECD’s Seed Schemes are working to protect food systems globally, with important benefits for least developed countries

16 June 2020 - Michelle Kovacevic

David Laborde: How to help LDCs stay food secure through COVID-19

International Food Policy Research Institute (IFRPRI) Senior Research Fellow discusses the challenges and opportunities for food security in least developed countries amidst the COVID-19 pandemic

14 May 2020

Small business owner in Ethiopia sees a future in ag products

Tewodros Yilma of Alpha Trading in Ethiopia discusses his business processing and exporting agricultural products, the role of trade fairs and his plans for the future.

14 May 2020 - Deanna Ramsay

For this Ethiopian exporter, the future is in food

Finding new buyers and tapping new markets, harnessing agriculture’s potential

22 April 2020 - Kai Hughes

Technology critical to unlocking the agricultural potential of cotton

Information access via tech could increase yields and incomes for cotton farmers in Africa

16 March 2020 - Georgios Mermigkas Ishrat Gadhok

Achieving SDG 2: Policy options and their trade-offs

SDG 2 commits governments to end hunger, achieve food security, improve nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture, with five specific targets setting the level and ambition of this goal.

25 February 2020 - Deliby Chimbalu

Malawi rice co-op taking their packaging to the next level

To get international buyers, Malawi businesses tackling marketing and certifications

13 February 2020 - Mischa Tripoli

A window of opportunity for Africa: Agricultural innovation, integration and entrepreneurial ecosystems

Agriculture 4.0, fuelled by innovation and technology, is driving more productive, efficient and sustainable food systems.

17 December 2019 - Deanna Ramsay

David Laborde: Addressing the nexus of food security, trade tensions and developing economies, where are we now?

International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) Senior Research Fellow discusses agriculture-based economies and how the current US-China trade situation is affecting the world’s poor

12 December 2019 - Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)

Is African agriculture waking up?

New report delves into the trade data on agriculture on the continent, finding positive trends, points of concern and suggestions for the future

30 September 2019 - Fabrizio Meliadò Parkhi Vats Kris Terauds Matthias Knappe

Unlocking the hidden value of cotton by-products in African least developed countries

Investment mobilization and technology transfers could increase incomes, and enable value addition

25 September 2019 - Deanna Ramsay

Private sector development and international trade in The Gambia

The tiny West African country The Gambia is striving to export its crops globally.

16 September 2019 - Deanna Ramsay Michelle Kovacevic

In Nepal, trade in ginger is spicing up lives

Cooperative endeavor to enhance exports yields solid solutions

19 August 2019 - Deanna Ramsay

In Uganda, enterprises bringing sensibility – and scents – to their development

Government plus grassroots combo laying foundations for MSME success

5 August 2019 - Michelle Kovacevic

Nepal sees ginger ‘revival’

Making more and better ginger crops means more income

29 July 2019

What challenges lay ahead for a small business owner in Uganda?

Noah's Ark owner Samuel Musoke discusses his small business and what he needs to succeed from Masaka District in Uganda.

10 July 2019 - Deliby Chimbalu

Gaining ground for Malawi’s markets

New buyers means employment opportunities and much much more

6 June 2019 - Cornelius Gregg Bolormaa Tumurchudur Klok Milagros Lazo Castro

In Malawi, bolstering youth and women’s employment through sectoral skills strategies

Skills strategies can provide a bridging mechanism to enable disadvantaged groups such as youth and women to gain from international trade.

27 May 2019 - Deanna Ramsay Michelle Kovacevic Abdouramane Diallo

Detoxifying crops in The Gambia, from the ground up

Conquering a nut pollutant means lives and livelihoods saved in the process

9 April 2019 - Michelle Kovacevic

Small market, big ambition

Bhutan’s potato ‘stock market’ goes online

29 March 2019 - Deanna Ramsay Michelle Kovacevic Cécile de Gardelle

Togo seeing soy in its future

Country is diversifying into soy, and farmers are seeing profits

11 March 2019 - Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF)

New project aims at increased exports for Lao PDR’s businesses

LUANG PRABANG – 11 MARCH 2019 – Lao PDR’s Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MOIC) and the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) have officially launched a new effort to increase the country’s exports and support investments in business development.

4 February 2019 - Michelle Kovacevic

Supporting sustained collaboration key to coherent agriculture and trade outcomes in Africa, report says

Implementation is everything in aligning trade and agriculture in LDCs in Africa

28 January 2019 - Deanna Ramsay

Aligning agriculture and trade

In countries where farming sustains families and economies, sustainable trade in agricultural products means everything

15 October 2018 - Deanna Ramsay

Christina Chatima: On using trade as an engine for growth

Increasing agricultural proceeds, processing and marketing are critical in Malawi’s development plans

17 September 2018 - Deanna Ramsay

Minding the gaps between field and marketplace

Strategic alliances and alignments are key to making trade in agriculture work, for all

12 September 2018 - Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF)

Exploring the agriculture and trade nexus in Africa

A multimedia collection from the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF)

12 September 2018 - Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF)

Agriculture & Trade Magazine

In some of the most impoverished countries in the world, agriculture is the backbone of the economy

31 August 2018 - Deanna Ramsay

Buba Jawneh: Managing a family cashew enterprise, readying for global commerce

In The Gambia, family-owned cashew processors are primed for expansion

29 August 2018 - Deanna Ramsay

Comoros in bloom

Island nation focusing on its unique, specialty plant life to kick start economic growth

27 August 2018 - Deanna Ramsay

In Malawi, enriching what happens between farm and table

Malawians are forging new markets for their agricultural exports, within and without Africa

24 August 2018 - Deanna Ramsay

Clement Kumbemba: On obtaining markets for Malawi’s harvests

The country is striving to enhance agro-processing, secure new markets and increase exports

18 August 2018 - Deanna Ramsay

Improving agriculture, enriching trade, transforming lives

When agriculture and trade align, change happens for incomes and economies

14 August 2018 - Deanna Ramsay

The Gambia sounding out its agricultural potential

With cashew prices surging and armed with solid trade policy, the country is looking to boost its farmers and processors

13 August 2018 - Deanna Ramsay

Ibrahima Sittina Farate: As one woman innovates, a nation’s exports set to bloom

In Comoros, an essential oils doyenne has plans for her country’s unique yields

9 August 2018

Trading for Malawi's farmers, and the future

Malawi's farmers have been cultivating new crops with the National Smallholder Farmers' Association of Malawi, supported by the Government of Malawi and EIF

9 August 2018

Gambia getting more from cashews

The Gambia has been working across its supply chain to enhance trade in the country

8 August 2018

#trade4dev and EIF

EIF is the only multilateral partnership working to support trade for development in the world's poorest countries. Check out how we are doing this, on the ground, with our partners, together with governments, always for development, always for the Least Developed Countries.

24 July 2018

Entrepreneurs in action in Comoros

The ylang-ylang, vanilla and cloves that grow in Comoros are being used to spur economic growth, with young entrepreneurs leading the way

23 July 2018

Strengthening inclusive agribusiness for export growth

Inclusive and sustainable agribusiness value chains can provide one of the highest returns on investment in terms of growth, poverty reduction, pro-poor employment, and women's economic empowerment in LDCs.

19 July 2018 - Deanna Ramsay

Comoros making scents

The Government is targeting its precious ylang-ylang, vanilla and cloves – key cash crops with global demand. Through the partnership with EIF, cooperatives, trainings for female entrepreneurs like Houria and small business support in the form of vats, labels and processing items have laid the foundation for increased trade for the country.

18 June 2018

Introduction to #EIFGlobalForum2018

22 May 2018 - Deanna Ramsay Natasha Sweeney

Betty Chinyamunyamu: Finding potential in Malawi’s farmers – and forging new markets

In a country with a majority of the population cultivating small plots of land, empowering smallholder farmers is the key to economic success

14 May 2018 - Elena Immambocus

Driving safe trade solutions worldwide

A new book on sanitary and phytosanitary gaps from the Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF) highlights ways to support farmers, processors, traders and governments in developing countries to access global markets

11 April 2018 - Deanna Ramsay

Bridging the gap for farmers in Malawi

Additional land to sow, targeted trainings, and market security mean higher incomes for smallholders

14 March 2018 - Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF)

Lesotho opens horticultural market centre to boost business for farmers

(MASERU/GENEVA) March 9, 2018 – The Kingdom of Lesotho is continuing to invest in agro-processing for its farmers: A brand new horticultural market centre will allow them to better preserve their fruits and vegetables and receive prompt payments for their products.

9 March 2018 - Deanna Ramsay

New market creating fresh connections in Lesotho

Just-launched facility offers state-of-the-art services, and promises to boost business

18 February 2018

Samoa's coconuts go global

“Coconuts are both culturally and economically important to Samoans,” says Alberta Vitale, Associate Director of Samoa’s Women in Business Development Incorporated (WIBDI).

13 February 2018

Righting a raw deal for Burkina Faso’s cashew processors

Burkina Faso’s cashew industry is in the midst of a drastic makeover.

13 February 2018 - Michelle Kovacevic

Righting a raw deal for Burkina Faso’s cashew processors

Burkina Faso's cashew sector has been re-made, as a matter of national priority.

28 January 2018 - Deanna Ramsay

Cambodia's White Gold

By investing in modern rice milling facilities, Cambodia could produce higher quality milled rice for growing international markets and gain international recognition for its milled rice standard.

24 January 2018 - UNCTAD

Benin cassava flour makers seek Geographical Indication

Two dozen Beninese women making a unique type of garri flour sign up to a new code of practice to better market their product and boost incomes

23 January 2018

Comorian vanilla and clove exporters secure financing with ITC help

Project strengthens value chains of vanilla, clove and ylang ylang in the Union of the Comoros Originally posted at ITC News

26 November 2017 - Annette Mutaawe Ssemuwemba

Women at the helm of Senegal’s burgeoning mango industry

Aminata Dominique Diouf was seven years old when her father bought a small farm 15 minutes from the Senegal-Gambia border.

17 November 2015 - Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF)

Trade, building sustainable livelihoods, fostering greater competition and managing water conservation

Chandra and her 25 colleagues from her women's association take a break from the day's farming business to hold a meeting on their ginger business prospects and the stiff market competition they face with India's value-added ginger.

Telling the trade stories of least developed countries

Brought to you by the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF)

Agriculture

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