CFC extends support to Kenyan smallholders
The CFC continues supporting Olivado EPZ Limited (“Olivado”), an avocado oil processor and exporter from Kenya sourcing 100% of its produce from smallholder farmers. The loan will allow Olivado to further grow its integrated farmer-to-market model based on a Fairtrade and Organic certification scheme and pay smallholders in advance. Through this strengthened relationship with the CFC, Olivado expects to include up to 5,000 smallholder farmers in its inclusive small farmer program in Kenya and Tanzania, enjoying premium prices and a secure income.
In Kenya, over 70% of avocados are grown by smallholder farmers owning 5 to 20 trees, which can be up to 15 meters high. The trees are grown on small biodiverse farms, alongside maize, beans, bananas, and other fruit and vegetable crops. Despite the challenges posed by COVID-19, Olivado has had a significant impact on the smallholders. In 2020, it has enrolled 800 new farmers in its organic training programs, increasing incomes and livelihoods of 3,100 farmers (up from 2,300 in 2019).
Managing Director of NABC, visits the CFC
8 July 2021, Amsterdam. Ms. Rosmarijn Fens, Managing Director of the Netherlands-African Business Council (NABC), is seen with Managing Director Ambassador Sheikh Mohammed Belal at the Secretariat of the CFC. Ms. Fens paid a courtesy visit today to the Common Fund for Commodities to discuss issues of mutual interests and concerns.
During the discussion, Ambassador Belal briefed Ms. Fens on the current as well as probable future initiatives of the CFC. Ambassador Belal elaborated on the elements, what he termed as green recovery in a post pandemic era, to help COVID-19 wrecked smallholder and SMEs to get to their feet at the earliest. Ambassador Belal wished to see more working relations and partnership with the NABC in the days to come.
The CFC holds its 68th Consultative Committee Meeting by teleconference
1 July 2021, Amsterdam. The Common Fund for Commodities held its 68th Consultative Committee (CC) Meeting from 28 June to 1 July 2021. Complying with the COVID-19 measures, the meeting was held via teleconference for the third time. Five projects submitted under the 18th Call for Proposals were reviewed and eventually five projects were approved.
In his opening remarks, Ambassador Sheikh Mohammed Belal, Managing Director of the CFC, welcomed and thanked all members of the CC for their valuable contribution to the operations of the CFC. It was noted that the CFC demonstrated resilience during the challenging times of the pandemic and sustained its activities to further its mission of poverty alleviation. Through joint efforts and a quick response to the sudden disruptions, the CFC continued supporting SMEs and smallholders in commodity-dependent developing countries and managed to implement multiple projects.
Meeting with officials from Ugandan Ministry, Kampala, and the Embassy of Uganda, Brussels
30 June 2021, Amsterdam. A meeting between CFC and the Government of Uganda was organised virtually today (30 June 2021). During the meeting, Ambassador Belal, Managing Director of CFC briefed Ambassador Blaak Sow, Ambassador of Uganda in Brussels, Mr. Emmanual Mutahunga, Governor of Uganda in the CFC and other dignitaries on the current as well as probable future initiatives of the CFC. Ambassador Belal elaborated on the elements, what he termed as green recovery in a post pandemic era, to help COVID-19 wrecked smallholder and SMEs to get to their feet on the ground at the earliest. Ambassador Belal wished to see more working relations and partnership with Uganda in the days to come.
After exchange of usual greetings and pleasantries, Ambassador Blaak Sow inaugurated the meeting by a round of introductions. In the course of the discussion, it was remarked that there exist significant opportunities for enhanced cooperation along the commodity value chain with Uganda. Recalling our rich history of project implementation in Uganda over the years, Ambassador Belal stated that all we need good project proposals and a helping structure to implement more projects in Uganda.
Ambassador/Permanent Representative of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to the OPCW, ICC and other International Organizations in the Netherlands visits CFC
28 June 2021, Amsterdam. H.E. Haifa Aissami Madah, Ambassador/Permanent Representative of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to the OPCW, ICC and other International Organizations in the Netherlands, is seen with Managing Director Ambassador Sheikh Mohammed Belal at the Secretariat of the CFC. H.E. Haifa Aissami Madah came to visit CFC, to say goodbye as she is leaving the Netherlands shortly upon completion of her tour of duties. As the Alternate Governor of the CFC for Venezuela, Ambassador Madah stated that Venezuela takes CFC with her utmost importance. She also stated that Venezuela expressed her readiness to do more for their people as well as for all poor people in the region.
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Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Nigeria visits CFC
16 June 2021, Amsterdam. H.E. Dr. Eniola Olaitan Ajayi, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the Netherlands, is seen with Managing Director Ambassador Sheikh Mohammed Belal at the Secretariat of the CFC. H.E. Dr. Eniola Olaitan Ajayi came to visit CFC, for the first time, to know more about the activities of the CFC and its impact on the ground. As a commodity dependent developing country, Nigeria, as stated by Amb. Ajayi, takes CFC with utmost importance. Nigeria expressed their readiness to do more for their people as well as for all poor people in the region.
During the discussion, Ambassador Belal briefed Ambassador Ajayi on the current as well as probable future initiatives of the CFC. Ambassador Belal elaborated on the elements, what he termed as green recovery in a post pandemic era, to help COVID-19 wrecked smallholder and SMEs to get to their feet at the earliest. Ambassador Belal wished to see more working relations and partnership with the countries in the days to come.
Newsletter 17 – April 2021
Highlights
Fruit and spices from Madagascar: A journey from local to global value chains
A year-long adaption to COVID-19
Climate vs social impact: Trade-offs and synergies
Geodata for Agriculture and Water program (G4AW) supports innovations for food security
Overcoming the challenges of exporting coffee from Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda
Outreach initiatives of the CFC from September 2020 to April 2021
