Session 1: Introduction and discussion of themes and selected innovative agri-business solutions

Sekem Farm, Belbeis, 26 November 2008, 11:45- 17:30

11:45 - Supply/value chains, market access and linkages

Presentation by: Dr. Thomas Reardon, Professor, Department of Agricultural, Food and Resource Economics Michigan State University, USA (UNIDO Expert)

(Please click here to download the presentation.)

Moderated by: Mr. Doyle Baker, Chief, Rural Infrastructure and Agro-Industries Division, Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO)

Panelists:

  • Mr. Mangina Srinivas Rao, TC Ltd Agri Business Division, “Choupal Saagar & e-Choupal: Hub and spokes as Rural Business Platform”, India
  • Ms. Bhushana Karandikar, Mahagrapes, “Enabling small farmers to access overseas markets”, India
  • Mr. Pradeep Neermul, Ministry of Agro Industry, Food Production and Security, “Seafood Hub”, Mauritius
  • Mr. Sy Mohamed Lamine, Association Africa agro Export (AAFEX), “The experience of Association Africa agro Export”,  Burkina Faso
12:30 - Compliance with standards and conformity assessment

Presentation by: Dr. Marian Garcia, Senior Lecturer, University of Kent, UK (UNIDO Expert)

Moderated by: Mr. Alan Bryden, Secretary-General, International Organization for Standardization (ISO)

Panelists:

    • Mr. Mahmoud El Bassyouny, Etrace, “Traceability of Agro Industrial Products for the European Market”, Egypt
    • Mr. Apollo Onyango, Kenya Horticultural Exporters Ltd., “Providing market opportunities to Smallholder Farmers through Simple Quality Management Systems”, Kenya
    • Ms. Morag Webb, Europe-Africa-Caribbean-Pacific Liaison Committee  Pesticides Initiative Programme(COLEACP- PIP), “Supporting compliance within the ACP Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Sector”, ACP Countries
    • Mr. David Denton, Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH), “CIEH-UNIDO partnership in food safety qualifications” (The case of Sri Lanka), UK
    • Prof. Hamish Gow, Partnership for Food Industry Development (PFID), University of Michigan, “Global food Safety Initiative (GFSI)”, USA
    13:15 - Technology and value addition

    Presentation by: Prof. Achille Franchini, Head of Department of Food Science, University of Bologna, Italy (UNIDO Expert)

    (Please click here to download the presentation.)

    Moderated by: Mr. Daniele Rossi, Director-General, Italian Food Industry Association (Federalimentare)

    Panelists:

    • Mr. Alberto Ghiraldi, NOMOS SRL, “Passive refrigeration for postharvest/post slaughter/ postfishing/postmilking storage and transport of perishable foodstuff”, Italy
    • Mr. Baoxing Zhao, Beijing Liangmo Technology Development Co. Ltd., “Grain Storage Technology”, China
    • Mr. Guy F. Reinaud, Pro-Natura International, “Green charcoal and biochar”, France
    • Mr. Ayed Amr, Higher Council for Science and Technology, “Role of Science & Technology in Agribusiness”, Jordan
    14:00 - Innovative forms of financing

    Presentation by: Mr. Ron Kopicki, former Senior Private Sector Development Specialist, World Bank, USA (UNIDO Expert)

    (Please click here to download the presentation.)

    Moderated by: Mr. Nasser Al- Kahtani, Executive Director, Arab Programme for United Nations Development Organizations (AGFUND), Saudi Arabia

    • Mr. Fritz Monking, Horus Food & Agribusiness Equity Fund /Rabobank, “Provision of Risk Capital”, Egypt
    • Mr. Ranjit Page, CEO, Cargills (Ceylon) Ltd., “Linking Small Farmers to the Market Place”, Sri Lanka
    • Mr. Michael Essex, Director for the Middle East and North Africa, International Finance Corporation (IFC), Member of the World Bank Group , Egypt
    • Mr. Coast Sullenger, GAIA International, “GAIA World Agri Fund”, Switzerland
    14:45 - Introduction by: Mr. Helmy Abouleish, Managing Director, SEKEM Group, Egypt
    15:00 - Lunch hosted by SEKEM
    16:00 - Tour of SEKEM Farm: Applied Agribusiness Solutions