Press Release: Flower Farm Employees receive Training Certificates

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 will be agreed in the course of this month. All members are expected to make progress in implementing the Code in the first year (July 2007-8), and many members are expected to achieve full compliance in this time.

The Ceremony on Monday 15 th August, held at ET Highland Flora by the kind invitation of Ato Tsegaye Abebe, the Chairman of the Association, marks the completion of the first training courses by employees from member farms in the Sebeta area. The Farm staff, (55), who received 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 so far are all in the Sebeta area and include: ET Highland Flora, Enyi Ethio Rose, DYR, ODA, Tal, Saron, Noa and Golden Rose. Farms in the other areas, Holeta, DebreZeit, Koka and Ziway will have an opportunity to participate in training in the coming weeks.

During the ceremony H.E Ato Fantaye Biftu Special Advisor to the minister of MOTI hand over the Certificates to the successful candidates. During the ceremony representatives from MOTI, EPA, Plant Protection Department Pesticide Registration MOARD, Oromia Investment were present.