“For the future, we need more training and support in different areas such as irrigation, technology transfer and obtaining disease-free planting seed. We’ve started now with the SITA implementation work and I’m excited about this”

Semere Abadi HabtuPercody Agricultural Development Plc., Feb 2016

SITASupporTIng IndIAn TrAde And InveSTmenT for AfrIcA

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Contact person : Aman Goel, Task Team Leader Pulses, Sunflower and Spices

Tel : +41-2273079143

E-mail : goel@intracen.org

Follow us on Twitter : @ITC_SITA

Read our blog the voices of SITA : https : / / voicesofsita.com /

SpIceS

An inspired participant in the Spices Training Programme, Semere Abadi Habtu is a major shareholder in Percody Agricultural Development Plc., a commercial agriculture land of 400 hectares in Ethiopia. Through his company, Habtu has offered 10 hectares of land for developing demonstrator farms for ginger cultivation deploying the best agricultural practices learnt in India.

In recent years, Habtu’s struggle has been to successfully grow ginger as Ethiopia’s ginger crops have been affected by bacterial wilt disease, resulting in a significant decline in the yield. The sector needs to be rehabilitated, for which considerable time, resources and know-how are required.

With SITA he travelled to India to participate in the training at his own expense, and is motivated to move forward with the activities. Habtu hopes, with the continued assistance of ITC, to successfully prepare his land to plant ginger and turmeric and to maximise next year’s yield.

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About ITC

ITC is the joint agency of the World Trade Organization and the United Nations. ITC’s mission is to foster inclusive and sustainable economic development, and contribute to achieving the United Nations Global Goals for Sustainable Development. ITC works towards creating ‘trade impact for good’.

About DFID

The Department for International Development ( DFID ) leads the Government of the United Kingdom’s efforts to fight global poverty, deliver the Global Goals, and tackle global challenges. Promoting economic development and prosperity in the developing world is a key priority for DFID, and includes the creation of sustainable jobs and livelihoods, in particular for women and young people. DFID operates under the International Development Act, which came into force in 2002 and establishes the legal basis for United Kingdom’s development assistance.

SITA SpIceS TenTATIve AcTIvITIeS In YeAr 2

Farmers’ field school manual: One of the main challenges in the sector, in particular for ginger and turmeric value chains is to in-crease volume and improve post-harvest quality at farm level. A farmers field school manual has been proposed as a way forward by sector stakeholders during the consultation workshop conducted in September 2015. The objective of the training package is to provide materials for trainers and trainees and also a training methodology to ensure knowledge transfer.

Training of selected turmeric processors: a selected number of processors will be provided individual training on pre- and post-harvest processing as well as knowledge on value addition and quality management. In these trainings processors will be provided recommendations on modern technology and machinery by experts.

Facilitate attendance at Buyer–Seller meetings: In SITA year one, East African spices producers were introduced to importing companies in India. Similar buyer seller meetings will take place in this next year. SITA will also facilitate the participation of selected companies to global trade fairs.

Support public and private dialogue: SITA plans to facilitate public private dialogue by raising sector and trade specific challenges to policy makers and supporting private sector advocacy at the national and regional level ;

Milestones to date

�� Ginger pilot initiated: training on seeds and soil preparation completed

�� Spices Training in India: 12 spices processors, researchers benefited from the trainings in Kerala and Tamil Nadu in India

�� Business networking event organized in Ethiopia

�� Business of over 2 million USD has been transacted; another 1 million USD is in an advanced stage of discussion

�� SITA beneficiary company has already adopted upgraded turmeric processing technology

�� Investment /Joint Venture proposals for chilli production in Rwanda are under discussions.

SITA SpIceS

Spices in Ethiopia and Rwanda has been identified as one of the key sectors under SITA, with a particular focus on ginger, turmeric and chilli. A strong demand from India exist for spices, especially ginger. Although India is the world’s biggest producer of spices, it remains a significant importer as well.

SITA aims to work with government initiatives and TSIS towards development of the spices sector by :

�� Facilitating participation of East African companies ( producers, processors, exporters ) to buyer seller meetings in India and other global trade fairs

�� Supporting development of farmer field school manual

�� Conducting training on increasing volume and improving quality for farmers, extension officers, partner insinuations and research bodies

�� Provide trainings to spices processors on pre- and post-harvest processing

�� Train processors in value adding activities in ginger and turmeric (slicing, producing powder and ginger oil extraction)

�� Supporting Indian companies in understanding, identifying and seizing business and investment opportunities.

GINGER PILOT

In recent years the appearance of a bacterial wilt disease has affected production of ginger in Ethiopia, significantly reducing exports and making it difficult for farmers to source disease free rhizomes for planting.

SITA is now implementing a pilot activity to revitalise ginger farming in Ethiopia and Rwanda, by partnering with commercial farmers. The SITA project will facilitate knowledge transfer from India to help farmers and producers learn from Indian experiences of handling this disease.

As a first step, SITA experts have identified pilot commercial farms for provision of trainings on seeds and soil preparation in Q1 2016. Depending on the success of the pilot activity, a larger number of farm-ers in the region will be targeted for training on technical know how of producing ginger and keeping up the productivity in spite of the disease.

SITA AT A GLANCE

Donor : Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland through the Department for International Development ( DFID )

TIME-Frame : 2014-2020

Design Phase Implementation Phase

March 2014 April 2015 March 2020

Country Coverage : India, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda and the United Republic of Tanzania

Beneficiaries :

�� East African businesses

�� Indian companies importing from or investing in Africa

�� National and regional trade and investment support institutions ( TISIs )

Objective : Increased value of business transactions between India and selected East African countries by creating productive capacities, enhancing incomes, and promoting investment.

Strategy : The objective will be achieved by enabling access to markets in India and other countries, and by facilitating partnerships including investment and transfer of knowledge, expertise and technology from India to East Africa by :

�� Promoting public-private dialogue and partnerships;

�� Improving capacities of East African companies and TSIs; and

�� Creating business linkages.

Expected results :

�� Greater export flows from East Africa to international markets

�� Enhanced competitiveness of East African businesses

�� Increased investments, knowledge and technology transfer from India to East Africa

�� Improved business-development services provided by regional and national Trade Investment Support Institutions ( TSI’s )

�� Improved business environment fostered through public-private dialogue and partnerships

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