The collaboration is part of the IFC's Growing Agriculture Supply (GAS) programme in Angola, which works to improve local supply chains, advance food security, and promote agricultural industry expansion. The GAS initiative is co-funded by the Japanese and European Union governments.
"The AAPA-IFC partnership will help enhance knowledge by providing professional trainings to boost productivity and exports in Angola's agricultural sector." "While financing is a critical tool for the development of the sector in Angola, knowledge of financial resources and project management is even more critical," said Wanderley Ribeiro, President of AAPA.
More than 80 members of AAPA, an industry association of large agribusiness enterprises and rural cooperatives, will receive training in poultry, livestock, and fruit production. The training will help Angolan farmers increase production to meet local demand, export standards for Europe and other markets, and the globally renowned GlobalG.A.P. Certification and European Union organic standards.
"Food safety is an essential component of food production. Improved safety standards help to ensure that what people consume is produced in a safe and sanitary manner. This international-standard training will help strengthen Angola's agriculture sector and local value chains, increasing its contribution to economic growth," said Carlos Katsuya, IFC Representative and Head of Mission for Angola.
IFC has recently signed similar food safety and productivity collaborations with Fazenda Maxi, a large fruit and vegetable retailer with an out-grower scheme, and Turiago Farm, Angola's second-largest banana farm. Agribusiness has been identified as a priority industry for Angola's economic growth and diversification.
Improving food safety and productivity standards can help boost exports and regional trade while promoting food security and making Africa more competitive. For more than 15 years, the IFC, the world's largest development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets, has been assisting businesses all over the world with sustainable business model adaptation and implementation.
Because of improved food safety, the Corporation's clients have been able to meet the demands of local and international export markets, attract investments, expand sales, realise cost savings, and develop their brands.
