Profile of Sample Farms

Horticulture farms involved to respond to the guide questions prepared have been
selected based on criteria of location (cluster), the type of crop grown, the size and
markets, the method of production and leadership. Since SPS refers to plants and
animal health and food safety, selected farms have been carefully chosen so as to
include production of plants for human consumption (fresh produces) especially, and
also for ornamental purposes. Hence in the selection process vegetables, fruit and
herbs producing farms, on one hand, and flower producing farms, on the other, have
been identified and approached in order to assess how SPS measures amidst COVID-19
are being handled, and the impact, the deficits and the consequence there-of on the
ground. Further to the selection process, production under green house and open field
is also given importance, since the threshold and impact of pests and diseases, under
the two situations, is possibly different. In due process of the research, the scrutiny and
management of local and/or foreign hired experts is also given a consideration to
assess the implications associated with knowledge based decisions in the handling of
SPS measures on the farms. Accordingly 10 farms have been chosen for assessment,
interviews and discussions involving pertinent staffs viz., Farm Managers, Production
Managers, Plant Protection Heads, Human Resource Managers, Quality Assurance
Managers, Procurement Managers and Nurses.
1- Sher Ethiopia: - This farm is the largest flower farm in Ethiopia and located in
one of the most heavily populated production area of Ziway Cluster. It has about
13,000 employees and produces different varieties of roses on 450 hectares of
green houses. About 95% of the produces are exported to a direct market in
Europe and the remaining 5% to the Netherlands Auction Market. The farm is
managed by highly experienced local & expatriate staff and has achieved Gold
level Code of Practice, thus meeting all the required private market and social
standards. The farm has had shortage of labor in the past, but not anymore.
Pest and Diseases occur on the farm but are effectively controlled.
2- Ethio Veg. Fruit: - The Farm is located in Koka Cluster where manpower is
moderately available to use. There are about 800 to 900 employees on the farm
and currently engaged in open field production. It produces Snow Peas & Green
Beans for export, and other leafy vegetables for local markets, on 110 hectares
net. It produces the leafy vegetables for the purpose of crop rotation also. Bell
Pepper, Tomato, Chilies, Onion, Cabbage, and Cauliflower are found among the
leafy vegetables, and Sweet Corn, Broccoli and Tender Stem are currently under
field trial. Snow Peas & Green Beans are exported to Europe and delivered to a
sole buyer under the name Van Hose. It is managed by experienced local staff
and has so far achieved the Global-gap & BRC certifications. Increased cost of
inputs, land shortage, frequent power interruption and internet services are the
 main challenges of the farm currently, whereas the pest and diseases are
effectively controlled.
3- Dummen Orange (Red Fox):- It is also located in Koka Cluster and employs
about 2500 workers. It produces Cuttings i.e., intermediate flower input for final
growing on green houses at the market destinations. The Farm specifically
produces Poinsettia & Pelargonium on 45 hectares of green houses. It exports
the produces to sister companies in USA, Europe and Canada. It is being
managed by both expatriate and local staff and has a status of Gold level as far
as the Code of Conduct is concerned. The Farm’s main challenge of the day is
the increasing cost of input, whereas the pest and diseases are said to be
effectively controlled.
4- Almeta Impex: - The Farm is located in Koka Cluster and has about 150 to 200
workers on the Farm. It produces, on 51 hectares open field, Fine Beans & Green
Beans for export, Grapes and Leafy Vegetables for the local market. It exports
the two crops to whole sale and super markets in the Middle East, and the
remaining to the local wholesales & Sunday markets. It is managed by local staff
and was once a Global gap certified farm. The Farm is currently under the
process of renewing the certification with high turnover of manpower “associated
with the COVID-19”. Increasing input cost, pest and diseases and market
problems are the main challenges currently.
5- Joy Tech: - Joy Tech is located in the Bishoftu Cluster and involves about 1,000
employees on the Farm. The Farm produces different types of vegetables and
herbs for human consumption and Summer Flower as an ornamental plant. Its
production takes place on both open field and greenhouses of net 62 hectares.
From vegetables Tomato, Pepper, Lettuce and Cauliflower are produced for the
export market. Whereas twenty six different types of herbs are produced for
export where the main ones are Basil, Chives, Mint and Rose Mary. In the open
field Rose Mary, Thyme, Mint, Broccoli and Cauliflower are produced. The export
market destinations are supermarkets, wholesale markets & auction markets in
Europe, Russia, Middle East and the UK. It is managed by experienced local &
expatriate staff and has achieved Silver level Code of Practice for the flower
production, and received certifications for BRC, Tesco, Mark & Spencer, for the
vegetables and herbs production. Hence the Farm complies with both
requirements of the market i.e., in terms of the private and social standards.
Increased cost of input, pest & diseases and post-harvest loss, due to poor cool
chain management, are the main challenges in the export process. Pests and
Diseases are controlled effectively.
6- Jittu Horticulture: - Like the previous Farm this Farm is also located in
Bishoftu Cluster and has about 400 employees currently. It produces different
types of Leafy Vegetables and Herbs on net 52 hectares of open field and
greenhouses (2 hectares). It supplies its produces to Queens Supermarkets and
 other local outlets in the country. It used to export to UK & American soldiers in
Afghanistan, and is currently under restructuring since the last 1 1/2 years. Jittu is
managed by local staff, and previously used to qualify for Global-gap. The Farm
could not renew the certification due to leadership and natural problems
encountered. Currently it is spending huge amount of money by way of
investment to come back to its previous status. Increased cost of inputs and
agro-chemicals are the main challenges of the Farm currently.
7- Agri-Flora:- On the other hand, this Farm is found in the Holleta Cluster where
labor force is also reasonably available in the area. It produces only Strawberry
on 12.8 hectares of greenhouses. The export market destinations are to
wholesales and supermarkets in Gulf countries i.e., Saudi Arabia, UAE, Dubai &
Qatar, S/Africa, Singapore and Nigeria. Agri-Flora is managed by expatriate
owners and local staff. The Owners are from S/Africa and the Farm has currently
achieved BRC, Global-gap, SEDEX & ETI certifications, thus meeting both the
market. & the social standards required. Increased freight cost, since the advent
of COVID-19, sky rocketing input costs and availability, frequent interruption of
power and shortage of water are the main challenges for the Farm. Pests and
diseases do occur but are effectively controlled.
8- Alemye Agri-Development: - The Farm is also located in Holleta Cluster and
there are about 250 employees working under it. It produces one crop,
Strawberry, on net 16 hectares greenhouses. Like the previous Farm Alemye also
exports to all the Gulf Countries and Nigeria, in Africa. It does not currently
export to the European market since it is under renewal process for Global gap
certification. This Farm has also undergone management restructuring currently,
and there is an additional involvement of ownership in the business. It is
managed by both local and foreign (owners) staff, and increased freight cost and
input costs are the main challenges. Pests and disease are also part of the
challenges of the Farm but managed to control them effectively.
9- Agri-Flower: - It is also located in Holleta Cluster and has 465 employees
working with it. It produces Rose on net 17.3 hectares green houses. The Farm
is being managed by experienced local staff and has the status of Silver Level
Code of Practice currently. Its market destinations are Europe, the Middle East
and Djibouti. The supply to Europe goes to the Netherlands Auction Market, and
the rest to wholesale and direct markets in the Middle East and Djibouti.
Increased input costs and shortage of foreign currency are the main challenges
of the Farm, as it procures its input supply directly from abroad.
10- Florencis Abyssinia: - This Farm is located in Koka Cluster and
managed by local and expatriate (shareholders) staff. It produces on 13.5
hectares greenhouses Cuttings i.e., Pelargonium, Poinsettia, Aster and
Chrsantimum for export. It channels the produces through brokers/middle men
for final growth and maturation in the greenhouses of Europe and North
America. Its main challenges are increased cost of inputs and availability.