- Published by
- Palladium / Swisscontact
- Project implementer
- Palladium / Swisscontact
- Donor
- FCDO
- Programme
- Improving Market Systems for Agriculture in Rwanda (IMSAR)
- Results level
- Poverty reduction
- Intervention type
- Improved access to finance
Very few Rwandan horticulture exporters are able to comply with the international standards required to access the global markets that would provide them with higher margins and opportunities.
The Improving Access to Certification Services programme, part of the Improving Market Systems for Agriculture in Rwanda (IMSAR), aims to support Rwandan agriculture exporters in meeting international market standards.
IMSAR partnered with Control Union, a globally renowned testing and compliance company, to establish a cadre of independent national consultants that could assist exporters with pre-audit and audit services.
This brief describes the approach, results achieved and lessons learnt from this collaboration.
Intervention description
Key interventions included the partnership with Control Union and the establishment of a cadre of independent national consultants. These consultants provided pre-audit and audit services to exporters, helping them comply with standards such as GlobalG.A.P., HACCP, and Organic Certification.
Specific activities included conducting a needs assessment, training 16 consultants (14 men and two women), providing sponsorships for training, offering first-comer discounts for audit services, and promoting certification services to agricultural exporters.
The interventions led to the establishment of Bridge to Rise, a company providing pre-audit services, and resulted in positive behaviour changes among exporters, who increasingly sought certification to access higher-value markets.