We have been engaged in the JICA funded “One Village One Product Project” in Ethiopia since 2010. The project is to provide the locals in the South States with opportunites for a better life, by letting them know how to sell their local products in the market. Our Senior Consultant, Executive Officer in Charge of International Businesses, has been appointed the project team’s Specialist in Business Planning and Marketing. The advisors give advice in each and every process of production to market access. In the start-up stage, the project team visited remote rural areas far from Addis Ababa, the capital, to choose groups of farmers and their products for the project. Once the groups are approved for the project, they receive practical advice on how to improve/keep product quality, on book keeping, on how to negotiate with potential buyers, on transportation and so on.
We already have good news: a honey producer, one of the OVOP project participant, has successfully developed their business and participated in FOODEX JAPAN 12.Their honey received praise and several inquiries.