FFF Associates, Inc.



		FFF Associates provides assistance to the botanicals industry worldwide in such key areas as: Quality Sanitation Processing Quality Control Warehousing Transportation Market Promotion Research and Development Environmental Protection and Conservation Most foreign dealers in developing countries are severely lacking in knowledge of international markets, requirements, trade norms, communications, and marketing skills. Government policies and practices are often contradictory and not in the best interest of the botanical industry. Moreover, a number of botanical products are either endangered or degraded. Our consultants prepare and implement extensive training programs for all the above listed areas. In addition, we are committed to providing our clients with the best in market intelligence and information. To develop a sustainable institutional framework for the botanical industry, FFF Associates has provided hands-on technical assistance for the establishment of trade associations that provide effective advocacy and services to support the business, technical, and management requirements of members. Our consultants also help develop industry clusters and pilot enterprises that are examples and momentum for sustained growth, introduction of updated technology, and development of export markets. Highlights of some of our recent activities in Agribusiness Development include the following: • Trained Albanian growers utilizing the American Spice Trade Association’s (ASTA’s) “Clean Spices” Program, aimed at the herb and spice cluster (from growers and collectors to dealers and exporters), which emphasized quality, sanitation, processing, quality control, and warehousing. • Produced a “Laboratory Methods Manual” and conducted a study tour including laboratory training methods relevant to improving the quality of selected products. • Developed and implemented project to build a new warehouse and processing facility in cooperation with regional and local agencies. • Worked with the Government of Papua New Guinea’s Department of Primary Industries to establish new vanilla production and set-up a centralized vanilla curing facility in Rabaul. As a result, PNG’s vanilla production increased from only a few kilos in 1995, to nearly 100 tons today, with a market value of $10 million. • In partnership with Cooperative Business International, assisted in the establishment of Sumatra Tropical Spices, a company partly owned by the cinnamon farmers in Sumatra, to successfully clean and export 5,000 tons of cinnamon per year. This facility became profitable in its third year of operation and is now the leading cinnamon exporter in Indonesia. Recent activities in Increasing the supply and quality of agricultural products for export include: • Our recent successful experience in cultivation of selected herbs in Albania can provide “lessons learned” specifically in the identification of herbs, spices and botanicals that have a potential for export. • Our training programs and one-on-one firm level support in Albania helped processors understand the need for quality assurance programs and systems and improved quality to achieve value-added for their products. Work in organizational (association) development includes the following: • We initiated the formation of the Albanian Spice and Herbal Trade Association (ASHTA), including all necessary legal and organizational work for its formal implementation. The ASHTA Board of Directors held regular meetings under our guidance and support to determine membership fees, the election of a financial controller, and other initial ASHTA matters. Additional work was done with the BOD to address membership drives and dues and establishment of a bank account. We provided training on export promotion, and held meetings on national branding and quality standards for member firms. • Assisted in the creation of the Eastern Africa Fine Coffees Association (EAFCA), headquartered in Kampala, Uganda. • Assisted in the creation of a trade association under the Madagascar Agricultural Export Liberalization Support Project. FFF Associates has collaborated with the U.S. Forestry Service to ensure that botanical species are not endangered or degraded through over exploitation. Currently, FFF Associates is working in the Balkans with collectors and processors to improve the quality and marketability of their products. Recent work in the area of environmental conservation and sustainability includes the following: • The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) in conjunction with FFF Associates, Inc. devised a 6-pronged program aimed at helping Albania maintain its “biological diversity and forest health”. • Devised and implemented cultivation trials for herbs in Albania. • Conducted a study of the major districts in Albania to identify the current status and habitat of major Albanian aromatic and medicinal plants. Published a full study of the results and produced a map of the country highlighting these items. • Conducted studies and reviews of endangered and degraded species, as well as existing laws and regulations related to the environment. • Published various educational materials (pamphlets, posters, etc.) aimed at environmental sustainability issues. • Published a “White Paper” providing an action plan for addressing environmental sustainability issues relative to herbs and spices in Albania. • Designed and carried out a rapid assessment of “watershed-friendly” small and medium enterprises in the Panama Canal Watershed. Reviewed existing resource management, tax, business and export policies to determine regulatory weakness, loopholes and constraints to viable conservation enterprise. Made recommendations for policy and program development including policy review and development workshops, and business skills and market training for rural entrepreneurs. • Developed and implemented the non-timber forest product component to conserve the Sunderban Reserve Forest (Bangladesh). Worked with local communities and NGOs to identify key users, needs and conflicts, and opportunities for cooperation and mutual benefit. Conducted ecological and market research on priority products. • Developed training programs for forestry, NGO and local government staff on non-timber management, community participation, conservation-based enterprises and market development. Spearheaded cooperative conservation planning efforts with the Forest Department, including the development of a realistic monitoring program (Bangladesh). • Designed, organized and facilitated participatory planning workshops for community forest user groups focusing on non-timber forest product enterprises and sustainable forestry in Nepal. • We have worked on environmental sustainability issues throughout the world, conducting assessments, developing action plans, designing and implementing workshops, planning and arranging for study tours as well as designing and facilitating training programs.