MAMi Project: visit to Albania

Our Director General, Carmelo Troccoli, together with a delegation from CHIEAM Bari, visiting Albania to meet Deputy Minister Enio Civici in order to develop farmers markets system in this country in the context of MAMi project.

MAMi – Farmers Markets project, is an initiative financed by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and implemented by CIHEAMBari in collaboration with the World Farmers Market Coalition and promoted by Coldiretti through the Campagna Amica. It aims to provide technical support and capacity building for the development of new farmers markets as effective levers to revitalize rural communities, improve livelihoods for family farming and enhance the role of multifunctional agriculture in generating economic, social, and ecological benefits.

MAMi Project: training session in Alexandria

Last July, 4, ended the “Capacity Building to develop Farmers Markets Traning Programme” part of MAMi training. Attended by 45 farmers from Al Beheira and Abis in Alexandria, was held under the auspices of Mr. Ahmed El Wakil, President of Alexandria Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with the Alexandria Chamber team represented by Mr. Mohamed Mehdawy, Secretary General, Dr. Yasser Al Manawishy, Treasurer of Alexandria Chamber, and Dr. Eman Seif, Deputy Secretary General.

The session was opened by Carmelo Sigliuzzo, Technical Coordinator of CIHEAM Bari, and focused on introducing the community of the five countries involved in the project and presenting the current state of the project. He emphasised the importance of individual farmers participating in the short chain and sharing the project’s objectives. The morning session continued with the speech delivered by Pietro Hausmann, national manager of the Campagna Amica market, who introduced the importance of direct sales opportunities and sales modalities in Farmers Markets.

Aim of the training: Provide a comprehensive understanding of the MAMi project, explore direct sales opportunities and discuss the processes and actions required to set up and open a Farmers Market.

The training meeting in Alexandria ended successfully, leaving participants inspired and well prepared for the next steps of the MAMi initiative.

The sessions, led by Carmelo Sigliuzzo from CIHEAM Bari, focused on the design and organisation of the upcoming Alexandria Farmers Market. Giuseppe Stocchi from Campagna Amica delivered the keynote address, offering valuable insights and guidance. Participants also benefited from the recommendations and proposals made by two esteemed Italian farmers, Chiara Gargano and Luca Mattozzi.

The training also included informative field visits, providing a hands-on learning experience for all participants.

MAMi – Farmers Markets project, is an initiative financed by the Ministero degli Affari Esteri e della Cooperazione Internazionale and implemented by CIHEAMBari in collaboration with the World Farmers Markets Coalition and promoted by Coldiretti through the Fondazione Campagna Amica. It aims to provide technical support and capacity building for the development of new farmers markets as effective levers to revitalize rural communities, improve livelihoods for family farming and enhance the role of multifunctional agriculture in generating economic, social, and ecological benefits.

KENYA, THE FIRST FARMERS’ MARKET OPENS IN NAIROBI

After Alexandria in Egypt, Nairobi marks another step toward a Mediterranean-African network of sustainability.

This morning, the first genuine farmers’ market in Nairobi was inaugurated at Rosslyn Square Shopping Center (30516/33, Red Hill Link Road). This initiative is a significant milestone in the creation of a network of agricultural markets between the Mediterranean and Africa. Operating every Saturday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, the market is the result of the Mediterranean and African Markets Initiative (MAMI-Farmers Markets). It is funded by Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and implemented by CIHEAM Bari in collaboration with the World Farmers Markets Coalition and Coldiretti’s Campagna Amica Foundation. The strong support of the Italian Embassy in Kenya, led by Ambassador Roberto Natali, was instrumental in making this project a reality.

The Nairobi inauguration marks the second opening of this initiative, following the launch in Alexandria, Egypt, a few months ago. It is another step in building a network involving countries such as Egypt, Tunisia, Lebanon, Kenya, and Albania. This network aims to promote a sustainable and direct agricultural supply chain while strengthening ties between farmers and consumers, delivering tangible benefits to local communities and the broader Mediterranean-African region.

Quality and Sustainability Offerings

Inspired by Italy’s Campagna Amica model, the Nairobi Farmers Market will serve as a hub for the direct sale of fresh, high-quality local products. About 40 local farmers will participate in the initiative, offering a wide variety of goods, including fruits and vegetables, bread and baked goods, honey, meats, tea, nuts, pasta, coffee, flowers, and artisanal wood and textile crafts. Every Saturday, consumers will be able to buy directly from producers, supporting a fair and sustainable economic model. For the opening event, two Coldiretti chefs, Piero Ligorio and Alessia D’Anselmo, collaborated with local chefs on themes of sustainability and seasonal foods.

Growth and Inclusion for Local Communities

With the legal support of the Campagna Amica Foundation and the participation of the Kenya National Farmers Federation (KENAF), the Regional Coalition of Farmers Markets (RECOF) was established. This new organization works to ensure the inclusion of local farmers and the proper functioning of the market. The approach fosters a virtuous cycle of training, exchanging best practices, and social inclusion to strengthen local agriculture.

Dennis Andaye, CEO of RECOF and one of the project’s promoters, emphasized the importance of creating a short supply chain connecting farmers to markets. “This provides opportunities for producers and consumers to access fresh, sustainable, high-quality products, while promoting the development of local communities,” he said.

Carmelo Troccoli, Director of the Campagna Amica Foundation and General Director of the World Farmers Markets Coalition, stated: “The opening of the Nairobi Farmers Market marks the beginning of an ambitious journey to dignify farmers while promoting more sustainable lifestyles. This is just the first step in a project that aims to expand to other cities in Kenya and beyond, contributing to sustainable agriculture growth in the region.”

Dominga Cotarella, President of Terranostra, highlighted the importance of sharing European expertise to make agriculture more competitive and resilient. “We aim to build collaborative and exchange networks that foster increasingly sustainable agriculture capable of adapting to future challenges.”

The Nairobi Farmers Market opening represents the second crucial step in an ambitious project that will continue to grow in the coming years. Plans are already underway for new markets in Lebanon and Tunisia, with the goal of expanding the farmers’ market network and promoting sustainability throughout the region.

Market Information

Inauguration Date: January 25, 2025, at 10:00 AM
Location: Rosslyn Square Shopping Center, 30516/33, Red Hill Link Road, Nairobi
Hours: Every Saturday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Products Available: Fresh fruits and vegetables, bread and baked goods, honey, meats, tea, nuts, pasta, coffee, flowers, and artisanal wood and textile crafts.

MAMi Project: visit to Lebanon

MAMi Project: Mission in Tunisia

On May 29 a delegation of the World Farmers Markets Coalition and CIHEAM Bari met the president of the Tunisian Association UTAP, The Tunisian Union of Agriculture and Fisheries, Noureddine Ben Ayed, to evaluate together the next opening of new pilot farmers markets in Tunisi as a resolution in the context of MAMi project.

After visiting the farmer market made by the local products of rural women, the delegation also met the cooperative SMSA LELLA KMAR EL BAY for the process and transformation of local products to sell in the market. This cooperative is specialized in the processing of food products and medicinal plants and the aim of the producers is to maintain an ancient variety of durum wheat, the Mahmoudi, in order to revitalise their land and bringing a traditional mill back to life.

The Tunisian Union of Agriculture and Fisheries is a national, independent, democratic and unionized development and service organization, which aims at taking care of the farmers and fishermen, represent them, and defend their interests and protect their rights.

MAMi – Farmers Markets project, is an initiative financed by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and implemented by CIHEAM Bari in collaboration with the World Farmers Markets Coalition and promoted by Coldiretti through the Campagna Amica. It aims to provide technicalsupport and capacitybuilding for the development of new farmersmarkets as effective levers to revitalize rural communities, improve livelihoods for family farming and enhance the role of multifunctional agriculture in generating economic, social, and ecological benefits.