The International Tropical Fruits Network (TFNet) received a courtesy call from Peterson Solutions at the TFNet headquarters on 25 May 2026 to explore potential areas of collaboration and strategic cooperation.
The Peterson Solutions delegation was led by Mr. Frank Van Der Velden, Regional Director, accompanied by Mr. Sebastiaan Merten, Managing Director, Mr. Ravisangkar Ramachandan, Senior Project Manager, Mr. Gerard Benedict, Consultant, and Dr. Sivapragasam Annamalai, Consultant.
The delegation was welcomed by Mr. Muhamed Salim bin Mohd Ali, Chief Executive Officer of TFNet, who shared an overview of TFNet’s ongoing programmes, regional initiatives, and future directions in advancing the tropical fruits sector.
Peterson Solutions is a consultancy firm specialising in sustainability and compliance advisory services. The company supports organisations in developing sustainability policies, reducing environmental footprints, identifying sustainability claims, and strengthening responsible business practices. In the agriculture sector, Peterson Solutions assists companies in obtaining internationally recognised standards and certifications including GlobalG.A.P., EU Regulation (EEC) No. 834/2007 for Organic Production, and ISO 22000 for food safety management systems.
During the discussion, Peterson Solutions expressed keen interest in FruitNext, TFNet’s youth-focused programme aimed at nurturing postgraduate students and young researchers in the field of tropical fruits. The company conveyed its readiness to support the initiative by connecting students with agriculture companies, providing mentorship opportunities, and facilitating industry exposure and future career pathways.
Peterson Solutions also shared that the company is currently developing incubator programmes for young graduates, which was seen as a promising area of collaboration in support of TFNet’s youth development agenda under FruitNext. The initiative could potentially create valuable opportunities for skills development, industry attachment, entrepreneurship exposure, and capacity building for the next generation of professionals in the tropical fruits sector.
Both parties also exchanged views on the importance of empowering youth, strengthening sustainability practices in agriculture, and fostering stronger linkages between academia and industry for the long-term development of the tropical fruits sector.
