PRCC-AFD

Faced with the persistent challenges of the horticultural sector in sub-Saharan Africa, COLEAD, with the support of the French Development Agency (AFD), is implementing supplementary funding for the Fit for Market (FFM) program. This new project builds on the existing FFM, FFM SPS, and FFM+ programs, aiming to amplify the results already achieved and address the growing support needs of private and public stakeholders in agri-food value chains.

Context

African fruit and vegetable sectors have significant potential for value creation and job creation, but remain hampered by numerous constraints: complex regulatory requirements, lack of access to training and support services, and difficulties in adopting sustainable practices or complying with sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) standards. AFD’s PRCC funding enables the extension and expansion of support for African horticultural stakeholders towards more sustainable, competitive, and resilient agriculture, thereby contributing to poverty reduction, food security, and improved nutrition.

Goals

The overall objective of the project is to promote a fair, safe, and sustainable agricultural sector in sub-Saharan Africa. More specifically, it aims to:

• Supporting small farmers, producer groups and cooperatives, as well as micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the horticultural sector in maintaining and improving their access to national, regional and international markets;
• Strengthen the capacities of professional organizations, support services and public partner structures so that they can effectively support the compliance of actors with regulatory and private market requirements;
• Supporting the adoption of sustainable practices, skills and technologies that meet economic, social and environmental performance criteria;
• Identify and prioritize factors limiting access to the European market, through a structured dialogue between public authorities and representatives of the private sector.

Target countries: Benin, Guinea, Madagascar, Malawi, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo

Expected results

• Enhanced capacities for producers, groups and MSMEs to access new markets in a sustainable and resilient framework;
• Professional organizations and partner institutions better equipped to provide support services tailored to operators;
• A better understanding of export constraints, enabling the adaptation of sectoral policies and interventions;
• Wider dissemination of COLEAD tools and methods, particularly in the areas of sustainability, SPS standards and regulatory compliance.

Beneficiary partners:

• Small farmers
• Producer groups and cooperatives
• Micro, small and medium-sized horticultural enterprises (MSMEs)
• Professional organizations and local support structures