Ethiopian Horticulture Producer Exporters Association (EHPEA)

Are you ready to learn about the horticulture business? Join us at the HortiFlora Expo 2025, to be held on April 01-03, 2025, at Millennium Hall. Meet our vibrant flower, fruit, vegetable, herb, and vegetable seed producers, along with value chain suppliers and operators. Event Details: Date: April 1-3, 2025 Time: 09:00 AM - 5:30 PM Location: Millennium Hall Highlights: Learn about the latest trends in horticulture Meet with experts in the field Discover new products and services Network with other professionals

EHPEA Enhances Skills at Elite Agro East Africa with FCM Training EHPEA Bahirdar office team delivered vital training on False Codling Moth (FCM) identification and management to 110 employees at Elite Agro East Africa. The training, combining theoretical instruction with practical demonstrations, targeted a diverse group including greenhouse workers, harvesters, scouters, and supervisors. The program empowers staff to effectively manage FCM and maintain high production standards. Further training sessions are scheduled to farms in the cluster .

Strategic Alliance Formed to Bolster Ethiopian Horticulture Sector TechnoServe (TNS), the Ethiopian Horticulture Producer Exporters Association (EHPEA), and the Agricultural Transformation Institute (ATI) have formalized a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This collaboration will focus on key initiatives including; Nursery and Global GAP certification, Accelerating the CEHA Ethiopia roadmap, and Enhancing the horticulture business climate. This partnership, uniting government, private sector, and international NGO expertise, aims to drive sustainable development and competitiveness within the Ethiopian horticulture industry.

EHPEA Annual General Assembly Highlights Industry Progress The Ethiopian Horticulture Producer Exporters Association (EHPEA) convened its annual General Assembly at the Skylight Hotel, bringing together member farms to review the fiscal year's achievements, current progress update and address ongoing challenges. The meeting showcased significant progress in several key areas mainly on the improved business environment through advocacy, capacity building and market linkage. EHPEA remains committed to addressing its members interest and continuing its efforts to support the growth and development of the Ethiopian horticulture industry.

My reflections on visiting flower farms A group of female journalists travelled to Zeway, the nation's epicenter of #floriculture. The sheer abundance of flowers in these farms is captivating. Unfortunately, the packed schedule prevented me from capturing more photographs. Nevertheless, the visit was truly enriching and well worth the time spent. My reflection: Organizational system: one of the most striking aspects of the farms we visited was their organizational system. Managing thousands of employees and ensuring the smooth operation of such a complex system requires not only experienced individuals but also active minds and compassionate hearts. The structured system in place may be designed to meet the requirements necessary for the growth of the floriculture sector. But the implementation of community and social responsibility related activities in the form of schools, special needs facilities, and health services deserves adopting to other industries as well as sectors. I observed the spirit of cooperation and support among the five adjacent flower farms further enhances the quality of community services. Community engagement: was a key highlight that ensured mutual benefit. I found the community's decision to engage with investors to be particularly interesting. During our visit, we had the privilege of meeting a Dutch Aba Gada and local leaders who are dedicated to protecting and promoting the benefits of maintaining safe operations at the flower farms. Getting organized: The sector requires the caring hands and hearts of the women workforce. This resulted in deployment of women from all corners of Ethiopia. The presence of so many women in the farms sends a clear message to investors to establish a responsive structure. The gender committee, made up of both men and women, actively addresses gender-based violence and raises awareness on gender-related issues. Certificates and awards: hold significant value in the world of business marketing. These recognition witness that the farm met the necessary global and national standards. These certificates are testimonies to persuade that the particular farm is trustworthy for business relationship. Ultimately contributing to the sustainability and development of the business/sector. Innovations: converting waste into valuable resources, utilizing bio-digester technology, producing compost, treating liquid waste, implementing integrated pest management, and adopting improved agricultural practices, tempted some visitors to aspire to consider farming as a career. I’m sure the flower farms’ experts are sharing the knowledge and technologies with local farmers through various platforms. #EthiopianHorticultureProducerExportersAssociation  #EthiopiaMediaWomenAssociation #AQRosesPLCEthiopa #SherEthiopiaPLC

From Ethiopia with Love: Valentine's Day 2025 saw a massive export of flowers from Ethiopia to loved ones across the globe. Europe, UK, USA, Middle East, and Asia all received a share of the 2,971 tons transported by daily cargo flights.

Ethiopian Media Women Association Explore Flower Farms, Witness Industry Impact Batu, Ethiopia – Twenty two journalists from national media outlets and influential women YouTubers recently toured flower farms in Batu, gaining firsthand insight into the industry's operations and positive contributions. The visit, organized by Sher Ethiopia Plc., Ziway Roses Plc., AQ Roses, Bram flowers, and Herburg Rose in collaboration with the Ethiopian Horticulture Producer Explorers Association, showcased the farms' daily operations, aligned with good agricultural practices. The media team explored various aspects of the floriculture industry, including job creation, women's empowerment, knowledge and technology transfer, and the industry's economic impact at both local and national levels. They also learned about corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives in education and health, as well as sustainability practices such as water treatment and recycling, composting, and international competitiveness. Participants expressed amazement at the farms' commitment to sustainability and knowledge transfer. The tour provided valuable exposure to the floriculture industry's multifaceted contributions to Ethiopia's economy and social development.

I have a dream that, every area of Ethiopia will soon be covered in sustainably grown fruits, vegetables, herbs, and vegetable seeds; every road and airport will be busy with refeer containers, cold trucks, and railway wagons as well as aircrafts transporting these products to both domestic and foreign markets; every Ethiopian will be consuming high-quality, reasonably priced, and healthy fruits, vegetables, and herbs; millions of Ethiopians will have well-paying and decent jobs in the horticulture sub- sector; agroprocessing equipments will be running at full capacity; and Ethiopia will be ranked among the top producing and exporting nations by unleashing its full potential. THE FUTURE IS HORTICULTURE Disclaimer: I am passionate advocate of horticulture