The national pilot project for the establishment of a diversification program for vegetable export development in Ethiopia and Sudan which was sponsored by the common fund for commodities (CFC) workshop was organized by EHPEA on July 18,2007 at Rift Valley hotel in Adama (Nazareth).

The project idea to develop the fruits and vegetables sector of the country with the direct and active involvement of smallholder outgrower and commercial farms was initiated by the former Export Promotion Agency. In the middle of the course the Ethiopian Horticulture Producer Exporters Association (EHPEA) came in and submitted a project proposal, based on the project idea initiated by the then Export promotion Agency, to Common Fund for Commodities (CFC) for possible financial assistance to execute the proposed project. CFC has endorsed the project proposal with the intention to strengthen the export capacity of vegetable farmers in Ethiopia and Sudan through the removal of critical supply – side constraints and weaknesses in relation to infrastructure and market factors.

H.E Dr Abera Deressa deputy minister for the minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, H.E Ato Fantaye Biftu advisor to the minister of Trade and Industry, representatives from NGO's, different cooperatives, Woreda Administrators, private farms, Oromia Agricultural Rural development Bureau and other concerned representatives participated on the workshop on July 18,2007 at Rift Valley hotel. During the workshop activities, responsibilities and capacity were elaborated in working groups composed of relevant offices for the effective implementation of the project. It is to be recalled that the National pilot project was launched in the presence of key stakeholders on May 4,2007 at Hilton Hotel.