Press Release: Flower Farm Employees receive Training Certificates for farms in DebreZeit area
Well trained staff at all levels of employment on the Flower Farms are essential if the Sector is to remain sustainable, address the needs and concerns of the local community in Ethiopia and continue to meet the high standards demanded by the international market.
Following the successful launch of the Ethiopian Horticulture Producer Exporters Association, EHPEA Code of Practice at the end of June this year, the Association has started a programme of training to improve the understanding and skills of farm employees and to assist members in meeting the requirements of the Code.
Funding to support the first phase of the programme is being provided by the Swedish Chamber of Commerce and the Royal Netherlands Embassy who have provided support for the appointment of four local trainers and an expatriate specialist in vocational horticultural training. This team is working from a base at the Association Offices and training is delivered on the sites of member farms.
Specific specialist Courses for the various grades of farm staff are being developed on an on-going basis to meet the needs of the industry and the Code of practice. Emphasis in the training is placed on the practical application of information and on the competence of employees to meet the standards needed in the work place and expected in the international market place. Trainees are assessed at the end of each Course and Certificates are issued to those who meet the standard for the Course.
Many local stakeholders including, MOARD, MOTI, MOLSA, MOH, EPA, FfE and CETU, signed MOU agreements with the Association at the launch of the Code making a commitment to assist the Association members in their work towards achieving compliance with the Code. The training team will also be working with these stakeholders and teams of Farm Managers to find local solutions to meeting the standards and to guide the implementation process leading to Code compliance.
Pilot groups of farms have already been formed and work plans leading to implementation have been prepared. Farm Auditing for compliance will be carried out by a reputable audit entity and it is expected that the first farms will be ready for audit in March of next year.
The Ceremony today, held at Minaye by the kind invitation of Ato Yidnekachew Ayele, a Board member of the Association, marks the completion of training courses in Safe Use of Pesticides and Pesticide Store keeping by employees from member farms in the Debre Zeit area. Farm staff, (83), who are receiving Certificates have completed courses in Pesticide Store Keeping and the Safe Use of Pesticides when spraying in the greenhouses. Farms who have participated in the training programme in Debre Zeit include: Minaye, Dugda, Avon, Joy Tech, Roshanara, Sunrise (Yasin Legasse) and Spirit.
The Association is pleased to be able to welcome to the Ceremony, representatives from many of the stakeholders supporting the implementation of the Code of Practice and gives special thanks to Dr. Abera Deressa, State Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development for attending and issuing the Certificates to the successful candidates.
Ethiopian Horticulture Producer Exporters Association(EHPEA)
