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Entering Global Markets: UNIDO’s Empowerment of ACOPPS and AMOPPA Sustainable Pineapple Cultivation
In the lush fields of the Central Region in Ghana, specifically in Ekumfi Essuehyia, the Adwendaho Cooperative Organic Pineapple Producers Society (ACOPPS) and the Adwumadzen Ma Mpontu Pineapple Producers Association (AMOPPA), made up of over 90 dedicated organic pineapple farmers, embarked on a journey to attain GlobalGAP certification with the support of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).
Their path towards sustainable agricultural practices and economic empowerment was filled with challenges, as their traditional farming methods, deeply rooted in tradition, lacked modern techniques and resources. These farmers, often from smallholder farming families, who inherited their farms through generations, traditionally relied on organic farming methods.
UNIDO, through the European Union-financed West Africa Competitiveness Programme (WACOMP), intervened by providing comprehensive training and financial support, which became the catalyst for transformative change.
The farmers gained valuable knowledge and skills in best agricultural practices, ranging from pest management to soil health and the importance of proper documentation. This training not only prepared the farmers to achieve certification but also led to significant improvements in overall farm productivity and sustainability.
WACOMP – Ghana supported the cooperative in aligning organic farming practices with GlobalGAP standards, enhancing their sustainability measures and biodiversity conservation.
Meshach Dadzie, Chairman of ACOPPS and AMOPPA, revealed that the cooperative lacked the required agricultural practices for GlobalGAP certification, which affected their sales both locally and in international markets.
He spoke about the exciting new opportunities in international markets and the ability to export pineapples beyond Ghana.
This represents a significant leap in expanding their customer base and commanding higher prices for their organic fruits.
We participated in international fairs such as Fruit Logistica in Berlin and others in Paris, but we faced difficulty accessing international markets due to high food safety and sustainability standards. Without GlobalGAP certification, we had limited market reach and faced challenges with consumer confidence in our pineapples
Driven by their commitment to excellence, the cooperative diligently developed record-keeping books and established quality assurance and traceability systems with guidance from WACOMP farm Asurer.
These initiatives were crucial in ensuring consistent product quality and adherence to the strict GlobalGAP standards, strengthening their position in the market and building consumer trust.
WACOMP – Ghana provided financial assistance to cover certification fees and invest in essential infrastructure, overcoming the cost barrier that had previously prevented many farmers from pursuing certification independently.
In April, forty (40) members of the ACCOPS and AMOPA received Global Gap Option 2 Producer Certificates.
Global GAP certificate presented to ACOPPS and AMOPPA Representatives by Mr. Stavros Papastravou, UNIDO Officer in Charge to Ghana and Liberia (2nd left) and Mrs. Ebe Muschialli , WACOMP - Ghana Project Manager (2nd right)
"Achieving the GlobalG.A.P Certification through WACOMP's support has opened us up to new international markets. We can now confidently export our pineapples beyond Ghana, expanding our customer base and boosting our sales. We can also obtain premium prices for our organic fruits," added Meshach.
By optimizing water usage, implementing effective waste management, and championing biodiversity conservation, the cooperative not only secured certification but also championed the long-term environmental sustainability of their farming operations.
The impact of this transformative journey resonated profoundly, as echoed in the inspiring experiences of farmers such as Irene Otchere, Juliana Arthur, and Okanto Daniel.
Irene proudly shared how the acquired skills and capabilities, along with specialized training in processing techniques and quality control, empowered her to elevate the quality of pineapples and expand her farm, realizing a remarkable growth from two (2) to six (6) acres.
"WACOMP's training has significantly boosted our skills and capabilities, enabling us to produce higher-quality pineapples and enhance our productivity. The specialized training in processing techniques and quality control has been invaluable. I started pineapple farming using 2 acres as part of the block farm belonging to ACOPPS and AMOPPA. Through the enhanced productivity, I have added 4 acres through my earnings," confirmed Irene Otchere.
"WACOMP has facilitated vital connections for us, creating opportunities for strategic partnerships and collaborations. Through this collaboration, I have expanded my farms from 2 acres within the block farms belonging to ACOPPS and AMOPPA and cultivated 4 additional acres. The networking events have been instrumental in integrating us better into the value chain and ensuring a more efficient and profitable supply chain,
"UNIDO's support enabled us to implement strong quality assurance and traceability measures, as well as develop the necessary skills for monitoring and record-keeping practices. These improvements will further support our organic farming practices in line with GlobalGAP requirements," noted Okanto Daniel.
