Blueberry cultivation in Ethiopia Note: This project has been cancelled, because the applicant has requested to prematurely terminate the project.The world market for blueberries has been growing strongly over the past 5 years; the total production acreage increased from 29,000 to 48,000 ha worldwide over this same period. The blueberry belongs to the high-value crops, not at least because of its antioxidant qualities. The berries are harvested from the end of April until September at the Northern hemisphere and from September until February in the Southern hemisphere. As the berries cannot be stored long, there is a period of at least 1 month that no fresh berries are available on the market. This creates an opportunity for blueberries from Ethiopia, as its climatic conditions are mainly determined by altitude. By choosing the right location and varieties, berries from Ethiopia can be brought on the market at a moment that no other production region can supply berries. The project partners will start a blueberry farm for the export market in Europe. The applicant company is the horticultural trading company Petruhan Trading and Investment Ltd from Mauritius. A joint venture will be established with Linssen Roses Ethiopia PLC. Strategic marketing and knowledge partners in this project will be Frankort & Koning B.V., its daughter company All Seasons Fruit (ASF), as well as Veens Blauwe Bessen.Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)The new venture will implement a CSR policy for its personnel including health and safety issues, environmental and food safety, dealing with corruption and a corporate social involvement initiative. The company will encourage the establishment of an employee committee in order to discuss ideas for improvement of the company.Impact•	Employment and working conditionsThe company will employ 1 farm manager, 3 medium-level managers, 100 permanent employees for planting, weed control and pruning and 220 seasonal workers for soil and bed preparation, construction of hail net structures, blueberry harvesting and packing. This will increase to 15 management employees, 350 permanent employees and 720 seasonal jobs two years after PSI. The salary for basic-level workers will be increased annually by 8%. Secondary working conditions include medical care and child care for their family. Employees at management level and the foremen will receive training in employee management, leadership and dealing with responsibilities. A HIV/AIDS prevention programme will be organised, including awareness raising and free condoms. Training will be given on safety on the work floor, personal safety, product safety and hygiene.•	Innovation/Transfer of knowledgeThe handling of soft fruits according to GAP and HACCP procedures is new for the employees involved, as well as the technical trainings on blueberry cultivation.•	Chain effectsLocal carton box factories and refrigerated transport companies will benefit of this project as at the end of the project already 35,000 boxes of 5 kg are needed for export purposes that year.•	EnvironmentAn Environmental Impact Assessment will be implemented. However, blueberries are not prone to many diseases or pests, so hardly any chemical control is needed. As much as possible biological control will be implemented. Also, not many fertilizers are needed in comparison with other crops. MPS-GAP certification will be started during the project.Frankort & Koning will assist in the processes to obtain other necessary certifications as IFS, BRC or HACCP.•	Position of womenNearly all employees will be female, including the farm manager and some of the supervisors. Out of the 220 seasonal workers, 145 will be women. All work teams will be of equal gender, including the foremen and women. To set up a blueberry farm to produce fresh blueberries for the European market.