The second phase of support for producers began with training workshops on topics related to business management. These training workshops covered the following modules:
- Crop calendar planning | We helped growers to adopt and familiarize themselves with the crop calendar planning tool for effective resource mobilization and monitoring of their work. Simplified tools for planning and monitoring the agricultural calendar were studied and given to each grower for application from the start of this crop year.
- Commercial strategy and market research | We helped producers understand what market research is, why they should do it, and how and when to do it. Tools for collecting and monitoring market indicators have been made available to growers for use in their activities.
- Human resources management for greater productivity | We helped producers understand the basic rules for effective management of the people working in their business units, and how they need to create a working environment and climate that promotes the productivity of these workers.
- Basic bookkeeping | We helped producers understand what basic bookkeeping is for a micro-enterprise, what they would gain by implementing this basic bookkeeping system, and how to set up this bookkeeping system. At the end of the workshop, simplified accounting management tools were made available to each producer for use. Our entrepreneurship facilitators will provide support in the form of business coaching to each producer throughout the course of the workshop, to help them make effective use of these accounting tools.
These training courses were delivered with an approach adapted to the socio-cultural realities of the producers. In concrete terms, these training sessions were based on the following principles:
- Keep producers motivated throughout the training to facilitate their learning and practical application of the modules
- Make training courses more practical (at least 80%) by using concrete examples and real-life experience to explain any subject in the course.
- Propose concrete solutions to problems linked to producers' realities
- Build on people's knowledge and experience and avoid the classic teaching relationship
- Organize workshops to encourage the sharing of knowledge, experience, etc.
- Training in local languages as required
The project aims to strengthen the resilience of rural producers by diversifying their sources of income. In concrete terms, the project will support 100 rural producers in the creation/structuring and management of agricultural and non-agricultural micro-enterprises in the target provinces of Logone Oriental and Mayo Kebbi Est.
Funding: IDH - The Sustainable Trade Initiative
Partner structures: Olam Agri & CotonTchad SN
