A workshop on Integrated Pest Management (IPM) technical committee establishment for commercial horticulture crops (CHCs) was held on July 31, 2018 at Capital Hotel; with the objective to promote IPM in more practical ways within the horticulture sector in Ethiopian agriculture.
Ethiopian Horticulture Producer Exporters Association's (EHPEA) IPM department took the assignment and initiative to study the status of IPM within its member farms and came up with the proposal to establish CHCs IPM technical committee knowing it's a very crucial step for the formulation of policies and regulations in trying to develop an economically and environmentally sustainable horticulture sector in the country.
On the workshop Dr. Waktole Sori (EHPEA IPM Project Manager) presented the draft modes of operation for IPM TC for discussion and approval by Ethiopian Horticulture and Agriculture Investment Authority (EHAIA) and EHPEA Top Management.
IPM technical committee's overall aim will be to keep the use of pesticides and other forms of intervention for pest management only to levels that are economically and ecologically justified, which reduce or minimize risk to human health and the environment making horticultural crops produce more acceptable by importing countries thereby contributing to the overall agricultural development plan of the country.
The technical committee incorporates government institutions, universities, association, development partners, and civic organizations with active role in horticulture sector in general and pest management in particular. Finally, the workshop was adjourned by officially announcing the establishment of CHCs IPM TC by H.E. Dr Adugna Debela, CEO for EHAIA.
EHPEA in partnership with ERCA effected Electronic Single Window Service workshop
Following the announcement of ERCA to start one window service stationed at its head office, EHPEA in collaboration with Ethiopian Single window program office organized a half day workshop on 27 July 2018 for its members to brief on the overall process of import and export operations provided by the new system.
On the briefing it’s stated that 20 government institutions & banks which are involved in the export and import process will be interconnected to provide the service on the first phase while the rest of institutions will commence their work the usual way.
EHPEA Member farm representatives discussed and commented on the business process of the horticulture sector to clear out the anticipated challenges with the new system. ERCA’s single window office representatives explains that the new method of trading benefits all the actors serving as a tool of good governance and business efficiency. Once it’s applied all traders will enjoy the service of lower cost; because of shorter time for the preparation of documents, goods released faster, predictable and efficient explanation and implementation of rules and procedures with more transparency work flow.
Taking into account the remarks, ERCA representatives informed the participants that their office will organize a detailed orientation focused for the horticulture sector in the near future.