Skills to enable Cassava Agri-SME’s Explore Regional Trade Opportunities
Arua, 25th July 2024: To enable them to explore trade opportunities across the region, more than 150 cassava farmers and SMEs involved in different stages of the value chain in Arua District have gone through a 4-day extensive training under the PostBank Agri-SME Skills Development Programme, facilitated in partnership with Federation of Small and Medium Enterprises (FSME) to equip them with value addition skills.
The training session involved 3 days of technical training that took place at Kabia and Sons Millers, where the farmers had a hands-on learning session at the plant, gaining knowledge on the entire process of producing cassava flour, proper post-harvest handling to maintain quality, and good manufacturing practices and an overall approach to value addition on their cassava produce with the required quality so that they can explore regional trade opportunities.
The final training day involved a financial literacy session led by the team from the PostBank Arua branch. The session ensured that farmers were equipped with the knowledge to handle their finances properly and educated them on the different agricultural products offered by the bank to support them on their journey as they grow and prosper.
“At PostBank, we are committed to fostering prosperity for Ugandans, which aligns with our new tagline, Grow Prosper. By upskilling farmers, we can enable them to transition from subsistence to commercial farming. This transformation allows their products to meet local and international market standards, improving their market base,” stated Kizito Enzama, a Personal Banker at PostBank Arua branch, on behalf of the Branch Manager.
Upon completing the four-day training, the participants received certificates, which the Resident City Commissioner, Arua Town, Mr. Charles Ichogor, handed over.
“We are truly grateful that Arua District was selected for this insightful training, and I encourage all the participants to adopt and put into practice the knowledge they have acquired to ensure better-quality cassava products.”
He added, “I commend the efforts of PostBank Uganda and their implementation partner FSME towards extending such opportunities to our people, which have a positive impact. Overall, such engagements complement government efforts to transform our people’s social and economic lives.”
PostBank Uganda, through its Corporate Social Investment arm, launched its Agri SME Skills Development Program in 2022. In collaboration with FSME, it has conducted SME Value Addition and financial literacy training to over 700 beneficiaries countrywide. The 2024 program cohort targeting 300 beneficiaries was launched in March, and beneficiaries received training in millet processing in Soroti district, agro-tourism in Fort Portal, and cassava processing in Arua district. The final training, focusing on coffee value addition, will be held in Kampala.
