Advancing SMEs in the Kingdom with develoPPP.de

To encourage engagement of the private sector in areas where business opportunity and development policy initiate shrinkage, the develoPPP.de programme was initiated by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). 

In the service of offering financial and technical support to companies investing in developing and emerging countries, it promotes entrepreneurship and partnerships with the private sector. Beyond this, German and European, including local companies can participate in this programme to develop business interest and sustainable pilot investments.

Cultivating the essence of responsible investment and economic development with develoPPP.de to make perfect evolution for your business.

As a collaboration, this pilot investment and business interest service can range from the improvement of environmental, social and equality standards, to value chain development, training and improved operational efficiency.

This opportunity was captured by The Pepper Hill, a business transforming organically grown Kampot pepper into internationally marketed products.

“Since day one, we have been looking for technical support and advice to establish our farm in an environmentally friendly and socially sustainable way,” explained Mr. Andreas Groetschel, co-founder of The Pepper Hill farm.

“We heard about the develoPPP.de programme offered by GIZ and the German Development Finance Institution(DEG), so we applied for the programme and GIZ came on board and helped us establish the farm and surrounding business“, he adds.

Besides their international ambition, the company is reintroducing eco-friendly, traditional farming methods as a quality pepper producer, and improving  the livelihoods and food security of its community.

This assistance can help companies harvest opportunities for growth, and emerge in the new markets. In return, they create skilled jobs, generate income for local people, boost economic growth, and maximize local contribution to the value chain for more than twenty full-time staff and seasonal employment during peak season.

“Providing knowledge and training has also fostered the growing interest of organic Kampot pepper in marketing and production sites for the local; especially, to introduce more sustainable and environmental friendly for production,” said Andreas Groetschel.

In 2018, The  Pepper Hill also worked with GIZ’s Improvement of Livelihood and Food Security (ILF) project to achieve the rule of farm-growing Kampot pepper with organic principles and high standard. At the same time, it has encouraged local farmers to participate and transform themselves from conventional to organic farming, along with the introduction of potential markets to leading members of Kampot pepper.

“Showing that organic Kampot pepper is possible is a great message for the community. It is a new concept and to show that it is actually physical and profitable for the farmers is really important,” said Hanna Bartels, ILF’s Advisor. 

“Plus, pepper is getting known for becoming more and more contaminated with pesticides, so showing that Kampot pepper is possible and introducing Kampot pepper into German market are the benefits of the whole project,” she adds.