USAID Debuts Project to Improve Business Environment for Azerbaijani MSMEs

The five-year USAID-funded Private Sector Activity is implemented by Cultivating New Frontiers in Agriculture (CNFA).

WASHINGTON, D.C. —  The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has launched a new $15 million initiative to improve Azerbaijan’s business-enabling environment and support a more resilient national economy.

USAID’s five-year Private Sector Activity, implemented by Cultivating New Frontiers in Agriculture (CNFA), aims to improve competitiveness in the private sector by strengthening business support services and reducing barriers to the development of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs)—especially those in agriculture and other rural business sectors.

“CNFA will leverage its years of experience implementing USAID activities with agribusiness entrepreneurs in Azerbaijan to hit the ground running on this unique new project,” said CNFA President and Chief Executive Officer Sylvain Roy. “The Activity—through partnerships with the Azerbaijani government and the private sector—will drive institutional changes that support greater diversification of the non-oil economy, and help small and medium-sized farmers become more commercially viable, as well as more competitive in local and export markets.”

Among other objectives, the Activity aims to remove obstacles to competition, investment and trade by working with associations and MSMEs to identify those barriers, communicate them to the relevant government agencies and facilitate solutions. To increase trade, export and income opportunities, the Activity will also work with processors, traders and cold storage operators to improve their adherence to international standards and best practices.

As part of the project, the Activity will provide technical specialists and support to assist Azerbaijani officials to identify public-sector reforms. Technical assistance may include specialists in areas including food safety, MSME development service provision and others identified by the project partners. Once reforms are identified, the project will recommend options for designing reforms, monitor the progress of their implementation and offer additional assistance as needed.

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Cultivating New Frontiers in Agriculture is an international agricultural development organization that specializes in the design and implementation of sustainable, enterprise-based agricultural initiatives. We work with businesses, foundations, governments, and communities to build customized local and global partnerships that meet the world’s growing demand for food. Since our inception in 1985, we have designed and implemented enterprise-based, agricultural development initiatives to facilitate market access, enhance agribusiness competitiveness, increase productivity, and improve access to inputs and financing in 46 countries around the world.

CAIRO, Egypt — The Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation together with the Feed the Future Egypt Food Security and Agribusiness Support (FAS) project, funded by USAID and implemented by CNFA in cooperation with the World Food Logistics Organization (WFLO), today launched the inaugural Egypt Cold Chain Exhibition bringing hundreds of packhouse owners and operators, exporters, agricultural associations, cooperatives and their farmer members, input suppliers, end-market retailers including supermarkets, government officials, and logistic agencies from Egypt and international markets. Hosted at the Movenpick Hotel 6^th October City, the exhibition will run from January 22-23, 2020, and aims to provide agriculture and cold chain market players in Egypt with the opportunity to network with each other and learn about new cold chain technologies and operational innovations.

The event commenced with a keynote by Dr Saad Moussa, General Supervisor of Foreign Agricultural Relations, Ministry of Agriculture and Land and Reclamation, on behalf of the Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, who Brinton Bohling, USAID/Egypt, Director, Office of Economic Growth, and Dr Hussein Mansour, Chairman the National Food Safety Authority also attended the event.

“The Cold Chain Exhibition has attracted many international and local companies. The event gives agriculture and cold chain market actors in Egypt the opportunity to network with each other, with foreign companies, and to learn about new cold chain technologies and operational innovations.” said Dominic Graham, Chief of Party for the FAS project.

The two-day event will feature educational seminars on various cold-chain-related topics and networking with international and local cold chain exhibitors. These interactive sessions will allow participants to:

• Learn about global best practices and technologies at the educational seminars, including the use of solar energy to power cold chain infrastructure, and discuss the latest in modern cold chain technology with global equipment suppliers.
• Network with your peers to grow the cold chain within Egypt and to see how embracing the use of cold chain infrastructure can open up new markets within Egypt and export markets.

“Cold chain infrastructure helps to reduce agriculture post-harvest losses and enables the proper handling and storage of perishable products through the development of systems and best practices for the safe, efficient, and reliable movement of food.” said Dominic Graham, FAS Chief of Party. “Developing a modern, integrated cold chain has proven effective for agricultural development for many countries and offers the potential for economic growth in Egypt.”

For more information, please visit – https://www.egyptcoldchainexhibition.org/ 

The Feed the Future Egypt Food Security and Agribusiness Support (FAS) project is part of the Agriculture Development and Increased Incomes Program (ARDII). FAS works to increase agricultural incomes of smallholders, enhance food security, and improve the nutritional status of women and young children in seven governorates across Upper Egypt. The project is market-driven and works in both domestic and export-oriented horticulture.

Read more about FAS here

About USAID: The U.S. Agency for International Development administers the U.S. foreign assistance program providing economic and humanitarian assistance in more than 80 countries worldwide.  Over nearly forty years, USAID has worked with the Egyptian people to eliminate polio; provide water, electricity, and telephone services to nearly all of Egypt; double the number of girls in schools; and reduce infant mortality by 80 percent.

About CNFA: Cultivating New Frontiers in Agriculture is an international agricultural development organization that specializes in the design and implementation of sustainable, enterprise-based agricultural initiatives. We work with businesses, foundations, governments, and communities to build customized local and global partnerships that meet the world’s growing demand for food. Since our inception in 1985, we have designed and implemented enterprise-based, agricultural development initiatives to facilitate market access, enhance agribusiness competitiveness, increase productivity, and improve access to inputs and financing in 45 countries around the world.

Forbes Human Resources Council is an Invitation-Only Community for HR Executives Across All Industries

WASHINGTON D.C. (December 5, 2019) — Tony Butler-Sims, Vice President of Talent Engagement & Culture at Cultivating New Frontiers in Agriculture (CNFA), an international agricultural development organization, has been accepted into Forbes Human Resources Council, an invitation-only community for HR executives across all industries.

Tony Butler-Sims was vetted and selected by a review committee based on the depth and diversity of his experience. Criteria for acceptance include a track record of successfully impacting business growth metrics, as well as personal and professional achievements and honors.

“We are honored to welcome Tony Butler-Sims into the community,” said Scott Gerber, founder of Forbes Councils, the collective that includes Forbes Human Resources Council. “Our mission with Forbes Councils is to bring together proven leaders from every industry, creating a curated, social capital-driven network that helps every member grow professionally and make an even greater impact on the business world.”

As an accepted member of the Council, Tony has access to a variety of exclusive opportunities designed to help him reach peak professional influence. He will connect and collaborate with other respected local leaders in a private forum. Tony will also be invited to work with a professional editorial team to share his expert insights in original business articles on Forbes.com, and to contribute to published Q&A panels alongside other experts.

Finally, Tony Butler-Sims will benefit from exclusive access to vetted business service partners, membership-branded marketing collateral, and the high-touch support of the Forbes Councils member concierge team.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to connect with peers and former colleagues, and drive conversations and dialog particularly around diversity and organizational growth,” reflected Tony after receiving his acceptance into the Council. I look forward to working with other council members to explore ideas and opportunities to help strengthen and make a positive impact in our workplace environments and the communities we work in.”

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ABOUT FORBES COUNCILS

Forbes Councils is a collective of invitation-only communities created in partnership with Forbes and the expert community builders who founded Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC). In Forbes Councils, exceptional business owners and leaders come together with the people and resources that can help them thrive. For more information about Forbes Human Resources Council, visit forbeshrcouncil.com. To learn more about Forbes Councils, visit forbescouncils.com.

ABOUT CULTIVATING NEW FRONTIERS IN AGRICULTURE (CNFA)

Cultivating New Frontiers in Agriculture is an international agricultural development organization that specializes in the design and implementation of sustainable, enterprise-based agricultural initiatives. We work with businesses, foundations, governments, and communities to build customized local and global partnerships that meet the world’s growing demand for food. Since our inception in 1985, we have designed and implemented enterprise-based, agricultural development initiatives to facilitate market access, enhance agribusiness competitiveness, increase productivity, and improve access to inputs and financing in 45 countries around the world.

For more information, visit cnfa.org or contact us at publicrelations@cnfa.org.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — CNFA, Cultivating New Frontiers in Agriculture, an international agricultural development organization, announced that Eleni Gabre-Madhin, PhD, has been appointed to the CNFA Board of Directors.

Gabre-Madhin is founder and chief executive of blueMoon, Ethiopia’s first youth agribusiness/agritech incubator and seed investor. She also founded and served as CEO of the Ethiopia Commodity Exchange from 2008 to 2012, and was the creator of eleni LLC, which designs, builds and supports the operations of commodity exchange systems in frontier markets.

“Eleni brings to the CNFA Board an extremely valuable body of expertise,” said CNFA Chair of the Board Elin D. Miller. “She is one of the world’s most influential voices across a range of disciplines that are critical to CNFA’s approach to successful international development—including agricultural economics, agribusiness incubation, food policy and agricultural commodity market systems. She will also strengthen the Board by bringing an important African perspective into our decision-making and oversight. I am confident that she will prove to be an invaluable member of the CNFA Board.”

In addition to her work in Ethiopia, Gabre-Madhin has served in roles at the World Bank, the International Food Policy Research Institute in Washington, D.C., and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development in Geneva. She also has been recognized as one of Devex’s Top 5 Women Global Women of Impact on Development, was awarded the 2012 Yara Prize for Agricultural Transformation in Africa and was included among Newsweek 125 Global Women of Impact in 2013.

“Eleni recognized early in her career that food security is heavily reliant on properly functioning agricultural markets,” said CNFA President & Chief Executive Officer Sylvain Roy. “She has worked from the very beginning to ensure that all the critical parts of successful market systems—such as credit access, information, transportation, and other resources—are put in place and implemented where they are most needed. Her background is a perfect fit with CNFA’s market-driven approach to international development.”

“I have long admired CNFA’s impressive history of market-based development on the African Continent, as well in other regions of the world,” said Gabre-Madhin. “I now look forward to working with the CNFA Board of Directors to build on that record, and to work toward even greater successes in improving the economic and social well-being of the world’s farmers.”

Gabre-Madhin holds a PhD in applied economics from Stanford University, a Master of Science in Agricultural Economics from Michigan State University, and a Bachelor of Arts in economics from Cornell University. A founding member and board director of the Ethiopian Academy of Sciences, she also serves on the board of the ONE Africa Policy Advisory Board and is a member of the Africa 2.0 Advisory Group. She previously served as a member of the Stiglitz Task Force on Africa, and of the Government of Sweden’s Expert Group on Development.

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CNFA: Cultivating New Frontiers in Agriculture is an international agricultural development organization that specializes in the design and implementation of sustainable, enterprise-based agricultural initiatives. We work with businesses, foundations, governments, and communities to build customized local and global partnerships that meet the world’s growing demand for food. Since our inception in 1985, we have designed and implemented enterprise-based, agricultural development initiatives to facilitate market access, enhance agribusiness competitiveness, increase productivity, and improve access to inputs and financing in 45 countries around the world.

WASHINGTON, D.C., AND ADAIR, OK — Leading entomologists from three U.S. universities, the USDA Agricultural Research Service and Trécé Inc. will convene a one-week mission to the country of Georgia beginning Aug. 24, 2019, during which they will share knowledge with Georgian scientists and researchers in the Black Sea region regarding monitoring and control of the brown marmorated stinkbug (BMSB), which threatens hazelnuts and other crops in western regions of the country.

The effort will build on a March 2018 mission initiated by the U.S. Agency for International Development’s Restoring Efficiency Agriculture Program (REAP) implemented by Cultivating New Frontiers in Agriculture (CNFA), an international agricultural development non-profit organization; and Trécé Inc., a leading American manufacturer of pheromone-based insect monitoring and control systems. That mission brought U.S. scientists to the country to examine challenges and constraints faced by farmers in fighting the pest during the 2017 growing season. USAID’s REAP Project had selected Trécé Inc. in 2017 to provide two shipments of its PHEROCON® insect kits (lures and traps) to protect Georgia’s hazelnut sector and other key agricultural products.

“This new mission will provide us with a unique opportunity to gather additional information that will aid in assessing and measuring the effects of the interventions and changes generated by our previous mission,” said Penn State’s Dr. Greg Krawczyk. “The mission also will serve as an important means of bringing together all the principals in the fight against BMSB—scientists, government officials, producers and others—to share critical information and knowledge to advance our mutual objective to control this destructive pest.”

USAID’s participation in the mission continues work that begun under REAP, a five-year enterprise development program which provided investment and technical assistance to Georgian agribusinesses from 2013 to 2018. In addition to boosting private investment and commercial finance in the agriculture sector by $37.5 million, the project worked to mitigate risks for rural agribusinesses, upgrade farmers’ agricultural and technical skills, and expand linkages among service providers, producers, and processors.

During the upcoming second mission, scientists will further evaluate the BMSB infestation in Georgia, and provide assistance to the Georgian Government and people, as well as others in the Black Sea Region, through transfer of knowledge and advanced solutions designed to manage BMSB at an economically acceptable level. Members of the mission will engage with representatives of the Georgian government, Georgian academia and invited guests from the Black Sea region, and convene a conference on August 29^th.

“CNFA’s efforts to improve livelihoods by improving agricultural knowledge and skills rely on the committed engagement of partners like Trécé Inc.,” said CNFA President and CEO Sylvain Roy. “It is gratifying to see our ongoing public-private cooperation continue to benefit Georgian farmers and agribusinesses.”

The mission also will include an August 29 conference featuring presentations by the following panelists:

• Greg Krawczyk, Extension Tree Fruit Entomologist in the Department of Entomology at Pennsylvania State University.
• Kim Hoelmer, Research Leader of the USDA ARS Beneficial Insects Introduction Research Unit in Newark, Del.
• Chris Bergh, Professor of High-Value Horticulture Crops Entomology at Virginia Tech’s Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Winchester, Va.
• Lara Bosco, Entomologist in the Department of Food, Forestry and Agricultural Science at the University of Torino
• James F. Walgenbach, a William Neal Reynolds Distinguished Professor in the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology at North Carolina State University
• Brent Short, Eastern Field Research and Product Development Technical Rep for Trécé, Inc.
• Gertraud Norton, Assistant Director – Pathway Surveillance and Operational Science

Department of Agriculture

“Trécé Inc. is committed to working on the ground in cooperation with top experts from both countries to share knowledge and propagate the use of the latest pest monitoring and control solutions,” Bill Lingren said. “As we have learned from earlier work with our Georgian partners, these joint efforts generate mutual benefits – helping Georgian farmers and protecting their crops, and advancing Trécé Inc.’s own research and development endeavors, which produce gains that benefit our business, employees and our communities.”

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About USAID: USAID began operating in Georgia in 1992. For 26 years, the American people have provided over $1.8 billion in assistance to Georgia through USAID. Building on this successful partnership, the U.S. Government dedicates approximately $40 million annually to 50 wide-reaching programs that support Georgia’s democratic, free-market, Western orientation.

About The USAID Agriculture Program: The USAID Agriculture Program is a five-year activity that aims to accelerate growth of agricultural sub-sectors that demonstrate strong potential to create jobs and increase incomes and revenues of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME). The USAID Agriculture Program delivers firm-level investment and tailor-made technical assistance to entrepreneurial, market-driven enterprises, production clusters and supporting associations and service/information/extension providers to foster inclusive and sustainable market systems development. The USAID Agriculture Program provides competitive cost-shared grants and technical assistance to address identified gaps in targeted value chains that will result in the improved productivity and production capacity of MSMEs, strengthened value chain linkages, increased access to markets, and improved capacity of MSMEs, cooperatives, associations and service/information/extension providers.The program focuses on the following value chains: berries, culinary herbs, stone fruits, pome fruits (apples), perishable vegetables, mandarins and table grapes.

About Trécé Incorporated: Established in 1984, Trécé Inc. is a leading American innovator focuses on customer needs, growing through development, manufacturing and marketing of insect pheromone and kairomone-based products, which benefit food production and the environment, while creating net economic welfare for its customers, company employees, local and global communities. The Trécé Inc. product catalog currently contains over 150 species-specific pheromone and/or kairomone-based monitoring and control systems, attractants and lures, a full line of trap models designed for a wide variety of flying and crawling insect pests that attack growing agriculture and post-harvest stored ag crops.  These products are marketed under two internationally respected brand names, PHEROCON® and STORGARD®.  Trécé Inc. created, registered and markets a line of insect control products under the brand name, CIDETRAK®, for orchard, vine and row crops and protection of post-harvest stored ag products in the commodity, food processing and retail segments of the industry.

About CNFA: Cultivating New Frontiers in Agriculture is an international agricultural development organization that specializes in the design and implementation of sustainable, enterprise-based agricultural initiatives. We work with businesses, foundations, governments, and communities to build customized local and global partnerships that meet the world’s growing demand for food. Since our inception in 1985, we have designed and implemented enterprise-based, agricultural development initiatives to facilitate market access, enhance agribusiness competitiveness, increase productivity, and improve access to inputs and financing in 45 countries around the world.

Collaboration between CNFA and Callivoire will help improve the professionalism of Ivorian cocoa producers and retailers and promote access to high-quality inputs and services

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Cultivating New Frontiers in Agriculture (CNFA), an international organization for agricultural development, has announced that Callivoire, an agricultural solutions company, and CNFA’s Maximizing Opportunities in Cocoa Activity (MOCA) project will award grants totaling 75,000,000 FCFA (francs CFA)  (U.S.- $129,960) to five Ivorian companies for the establishment of Farm Service Centers (FSC). The creation of these centers will contribute to the improvement of cocoa production and enable producers to increase their incomes and standard of living.

MOCA, funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food for Progress program, and Callivoire launched a call for proposals in March 2019 for the creation of five FSCs. The solicitation which focused on Ivorian companies working in the cocoa sector and the affiliated sectors, such as phytosanitary companies, responds to the common desire of the two structures to improve the professionalism of nearly 3,000 Ivorian cocoa producers by facilitating access to high-quality inputs.

The grants’ total available funds amount to 75,000,000 CFA (nearly U.S. $129,960), with matching grants ranging from 1,500,000 FCFA to 15,000,000 FCFA in equipment, materials and technical assistance. The selected candidates will contribute to at least 50 percent of the grant funding to guarantee the property.

The creation of the FSC will enable producers in the regions of Haut-Sassandra, Indénié-Djuablin and Nawa to benefit from competitive services, including training on good agricultural practices and the safe and smart use of phytosanitary products.

The selected companies were chosen following an evaluation conducted by MOCA and Callivoire. The evaluation process included a pre-selection of the proposals, based on indicators such as the targeted beneficiaries, compliance with MOCA’s results, improvements to the quality of cocoa, job creation and financial viability. Additionally, a field visit organized at the end of June 2019, resulted in the selection of the beneficiary companies.

“USDA’s MOCA project looks forward to joining our partner Callivoire in working together to reach our mutual objective of assuring high-quality inputs and services for Ivoirian famers in order to reduce losses, improve production and gain increased income,” said MOCA’s Chief of Party and Program Director, Marc Steen. Our combined efforts will provide coordinated support to the local entrepreneurs who co-invest with USDA MOCA and Callivoire to establish these centers for the benefit of Cote d’Ivoire’s agricultural sector.

“We are excited to enter the operational phase of the project”, said Axel d’Hauthuille, Managing Director at Callivoire. “We are confident that the future rural Farm Service Centers will bring remarkable value for the development of Ivorian agriculture, and generate greater prosperity for farmers through the provision of state-of-the-art products and services. “

MOCA and Callivoire will organize a grant award ceremony, July 17, 2019 at the Andrew Young Center for Entrepreneurship. The ceremony will be attended by officials from the U.S. embassy in Côte d’Ivoire, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MINADER), and the Café-Cacao Council, as well as partners in the public and private sectors.

The award ceremony will launch the grants implementation phase and allow the disbursement of the allocated funds (over a period of 12 months) to the various grants, as well as the implementation of FSCs’ business plans. During this phase, MOCA will provide to the subcontractors a performance evaluation, reporting and compliance audit. In addition to disbursing grant funds, MOCA and Callivoire will also provide extensive training and support.

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CNFA: Cultivating New Frontiers in Agriculture is an international agricultural development organization specializing in the design and implementation of sustainable, business-based agricultural initiatives. We work with companies, foundations, governments and communities to create local and global, personalized partnerships that meet the growing demand for food products around the world. Since our inception in 1985, we have designed and implemented enterprise-based agricultural development initiatives to facilitate market access, strengthen the competitiveness of agro-industries, increase productivity and improve access to inputs and financing services in 45 countries around the world.

CALLIVOIRE: Established in Ivory Coast since 1986, Callivoire is an agricultural solutions company focused on the development of Ivorian agriculture and the well-being of the population. As a subsidiary of the global UPL group, Callivoire is active in the fields of crop protection, biosolutions, fertilizers, seed supply, public hygiene solutions and agricultural equipment. As a technical partner, Callivoire brings its expertise and know-how to help farmers, NGOs and businesses realize the full potential of their agricultural projects.

For more information please contact:

• CNFA at info@cnfacotedivoire.org or visit cnfa.org
• Callivoire at contact@callivoire.com | +225 21 35 75 04 / +225 21 25 36 25 or visit callivoire.com

HARARE, Zimbabwe, May 30, 2019 — The five-year USAID-funded Farmer-to-Farmer Program (2018-2023) launched on May 30.  At a launch event held at Africa Synod House, representatives of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the Government of Zimbabwe, a Farmer-to-Farmer volunteer, and implementing organization Cultivating New Frontiers in Agriculture (CNFA) reaffirmed their shared commitment to strengthening agriculture and resilience in Zimbabwe. Read more

WASHINGTON, D.C. — CNFA, Cultivating New Frontiers in Agriculture, an international agricultural development organization, announced that Thad Simons has been appointed to join the CNFA Board of Directors. Simons is co-founder and managing director of The Yield Lab, which provides capital and support for early-stage agricultural technology companies, and president of The Yield Lab Institute, a nonprofit organization that works to connect agricultural entrepreneurs and relevant stakeholders. Simons previously served as president and CEO of global animal health and nutrition company Novus International, Inc.

Thad brings to the CNFA board a deep understanding of the ways that emerging technologies are transforming agriculture,” said CNFA Chair of the Board Elin D. Miller. “His work helping entrepreneurs revolutionize agrifood systems in a sustainable way pairs perfectly with CNFA’s mission, and we look forward to tapping his expertise as a new CNFA Board Member.”

Simons currently serves on the boards of several agri-technology startups, Ascus Biosciences Cryoocyte, Probiotics Holdings and Proviera, as well as on the boards of various nonprofit organizations, including The Collegiate School of Medicine and Bioscience, a St. Louis public school which works to educate high school students to pursue bioscience careers. Simons also formerly sat on the corporate boards of Novus International, Inc., and ESM Technologies; as well as on the boards of the Corporate Council on Africa, National Chicken Council, and American Feed Industry Association. He also previously served as president of the International Food and Agribusiness Management Association.

“Thad understands how critical investments in leading-edge agricultural technologies are driving the world’s ability to ensure sustainable food production and global food security,” said CNFA President & Chief Executive Officer Sylvain Roy. “His work mentoring and investing in early-stage, entrepreneurial agri-tech companies conforms closely with CNFA’s own mission to use market-driven approaches to bring sustainable agricultural development to underserved regions of the world.”

“CNFA has been a pioneer in acknowledging the key role that entrepreneurship plays in advancing economic and food security in international development,” Simons said. “I eagerly anticipate working with the CNFA Board of Directors to further expand CNFA’s successful application of this approach around the world.”

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CNFA: Cultivating New Frontiers in Agriculture is an international agricultural development organization that specializes in the design and implementation of sustainable, enterprise-based agricultural initiatives. We work with businesses, foundations, governments, and communities to build customized local and global partnerships that meet the world’s growing demand for food. Since our inception in 1985, we have designed and implemented enterprise-based, agricultural development initiatives to facilitate market access, enhance agribusiness competitiveness, increase productivity, and improve access to inputs and financing in 45 countries around the world.

KARACHI, Pakistan — On March 22, Consul General JoAnne Wagner inaugurated a state-of-the-art cold storage facility for vegetable exporters. This facility was established through support by the U.S.-Pakistan Partnerships for Agricultural Market Development (AMD), funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Read more