WEB DESIGNER NEEDED

ENABLE YOUTH Uganda is looking for a consultant or company will be contracted to develop a dynamic website for the ENABLE Youth Uganda Program.

Click here to download the TORs.

Please send a detailed proposal, including costs of development to info@enableyouth.ug before Monday 11th March 2019.

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS FOR YOUTH AGRIPRENUERS INTERESTED IN STARTING INNOVATIVE ENTERPRISES

The Ministry of Water and Environment (MWE) under the Farm Income Enhancement Program-Project 2 (FIEFOC-2 Project) whose specific objective is to improve household incomes, food security, and climate resilience through sustainable natural resources management and agricultural enterprise development. MWE with support from the African Development Bank (AfDB) and Nordic Development Fund (NDF) is piloting the Empowering Novel Agri-Business-Led Employment for Youth in Uganda’s Agriculture (ENABLE) Youth Program in Uganda. ENABLE Youth is a program concept developed by AfDB to focus on young entrepreneurs in the agricultural sector and promote the start-up and growth of youth-led agro-enterprises in member countries.

It aims at creating opportunities for young ‘agri-entrepreneurs’ to upgrade technical skills, adopt innovative agricultural business management practices and access expansion capita

Job Opportunity for the position of Fund Manager for the Enable Youth Program

Background Information

Truvalu.startups runs several acceleration programs in different parts of the world. These programs enable SME entrepreneurs with an innovative product or service to enter emerging markets. Its shareholders are ICCO and Woord en Daad. Truvalu.Startups is selected to run a 3­‐ year program for the Enable Youth Challenge Fund in Uganda. This is a 2 million fund to run 5 acceleration rounds in Uganda. Our target group of entrepreneurs is between 18 and 35 years old.

Enable Youth

Enable Youth Uganda is a pilot challenge fund aimed at identifying and supporting, through training, mentoring and investment support, selected motivated youth in five districts in rural Uganda who wish to set up their own rural or agri-­sector-based enterprise. The Enable Youth Challenge Fund provides both a training program to early stage startups as well as a seed investment.

This assignment is for a

Call for Applications of Trainers for the Enable Youth Challenge Fund

Truvalu.startups the enable youth fund manager is a business accelerator that provides the expertise, hands-on support and connections to help businesses enter emerging economies. We target to support a total of 150 young agripreneurs between the ages of 18 and 35 years and women, from and around irrigation schemes in the areas of Nebbi (Wadelai), Gulu (Tochi), Kasese (Mubuku II), Butaleja (Doho) and Kween (Ngenge). We will introduce the selected candidates to new technologies and innovative business models and we will help them to build up the local ecosystem that can support them best. At the end of the 6 months of intensive business acceleration program we will provide seed investment of maximum $8,000 USD each to the most promising 90 agripreneurs.

Truvalu.startups is therefore seeking for trainers to train young agripreneurs for this program. If you are a trainer and interested in being selected to do

YOUTH IN AGRIBUSINESS CARAVAN: 

Day 6

24TH AUGUST, 2017  

VISITS TO DIVINE VEGETABLES FARM, BIGLAD ORGANIC FARM AND KABAROLE RESEARCH AND RESOURCE CENTRE IN FORT PORTAL DISTRICT

The caravan visited Divine Vegetables Farm and Biglad Organic Farm in Fort Portal district.

Divine Vegetables Farm was started in 2014 and the vegetables grown are of both local and exotic variety. On the other hand, Biglad Organic Farm was started by Mr. Julius Bigabwa in 2008 and has since turned into an agritourism farm on 8 acres of land with bananas, mangoes, fish tea plantation and others.

Kabarole Research and Resource Centre focuses on producing an alternative source of protein extracted from greens with an ultimate aim of promoting environment conservation and ecosystems.

YOUTH IN AGRIBUSINESS CARAVAN:

Day 5 : 23RD AUGUST, 2017

VISIT TO MUBUKU IRRIGATION SCHEME IN KASESE DISTRICT

The caravan team traveled to Mubuku Irrigation Scheme in Kasese district. The area around Mubuku Irrigation Scheme receives little and unreliable rainfall and because it is close to the equator, its low altitude makes the temperature relatively high. With this justification, the scheme was established in 1964.

Objectives

· To explore food production throughout the seasons using farrow irrigation system.

Discussions/ Interactions

Mr. James Nabulu, the supretendant of Mubuku Irrigation Scheme told caravan participants that the scheme currently works with 160 farmers who operate on 8 acres of land each under a land tenancy system. He encouraged the youth to join cooperative and associations in order to bargain for favorable prices on the market.

The youth also had the opportunity to tour the scheme and to experience a number of maize farmers working together to

YOUTH IN AGRIBUSINESS CARAVAN: 

DAY 4

22ND AUGUST, 2017

VISITS TO KIRERE GREENER AFRICAN AGENCY, DELTA BEES FARM, AND THE PRESIDENTIAL INITIATIVE ON BANANA VALUE ADDITION

The caravan team traveled to Kirere Greener African Agency, Delta Bees Farm, and PIBID in Bushenyi district. While at these centers, the team explored investment opportunities in low cost operations with high returns, application of Indigenous Micro Organisms (IMO) in livestock rearing, and got training on banana value addition.

Objectives

· To explore inclusive green growth and investment opportunities in low cost operations with high returns

· To gain an understanding of the application of Indigenous Micro Organisms (IMO) in livestock rearing

· To get practical training on banana value addition

Discussions/ Interactions

Mr. Kweyunga Emmanuel, the General Manager at Kirere Greener African Agency explained that since the far was started in 2011, he uses natural farming to rear h

YOUTH IN AGRIBUSINESS CARAVAN:

DAY 3

21ST AUGUST, 2017

VISITS TO KAZIRE AGRIPROCESSING PLANT AND ERICSON DAIRY FARM

The caravan team traveled to Kazire Agri-processing plant and to Ericson dairy farm in the districts of Mbarara Ntungamo respectively. While at these farms, the team explored the forward and backward business linkages at Kazire plant and product quality and safety management in the dairy value chain. Participants later visited the hot springs in Kitagata in order to appreciate the nature and beauty of Uganda.

While at Kazire plant, Dickson Musasizi, the production manager at Kazire health products gave participants a brief history of the plant, its successes, challenges that it has faced and how those challenges were resolved. He later gave participants a tour of the plant and the production process that is from the raw materials to the final product.

At Ericson Dairy Farm, Mr. Eli Nathan, the general manager advised youth on how to fully benefit from t

YOUTH IN AGRIBUSINESS CARAVAN: 

DAY 2

20th August, 2017

A VISIT TO KIBINGE COFFEE FARMERS’ COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATION

KIBINGE SUB COUNTY, BUKOMANSIMBI DISTRICT

The caravan team set off from Kampala to Masaka district and made its first stop at the equator. And later proceeded to Kibinge Coffee Farmers’ Cooperative association. While in Kibinge, participants were exposed to the entire value chain in the coffee business from the seed to the final coffee on the cup.

At Kibinge, the youth were taken to Mr. Mawanda Samuel’s coffee plantation where they were exposed to proper care of coffee trees and the benefits of venturing into the business.

The team later continued to Kibinge Coffee Farmers, Cooperative Association to visit coffee nurseries and share experiences on the coffee value chain.

Click here to download the daily report.

To follow the action live and view the outcome of the debate you could simply follow the Hashtag #Agric4youth 

Or simply click here.  

The Youth in Agribusiness Caravan: 

Day 1

18^th August 2017

The 7 day Caravan has attracted 50 youth participants, that will be traversing the country to have a hands on learning experience on how to improve agribusiness!

Day 1 was an inspiration Forum where the participating youth were inspired to take agribusiness serious and focus on better productivity.

Its was officially launched by the minister for Agriculture Hon. Kibanzanga Christopher, who addressed a press conference together with 5 enterprising youth from all the 4 regions of the country. He informed the youth that agriculture alone can take Uganda to a middle income economy!

The activities of the day included:

- A Press conference.

- In special presentation on mindset change

- And a Debate on the GMOs. (Advantages and disadvantages)

To follow the action live and view the outcome of the debate you could simply follow the Hashtag #Agric4youth

Or simply click here.

JOB OPPRTUNITY AT AGRIBUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTRE (ADC)

Empowered by Rabobank Foundation & dfcu bank

Position Description – Business Advisor  

Position summary

The ADC is seeking qualified candidate for the position of Business Advisor to provide training in organisational development and financial literacy to farmer based organisations and SME’s in agribusiness. To make them strong organisations with the right expertise to access finance and markets. She/he will work closely with professionals from the Rabobank Foundation and the dfcu bank.

Responsibilities

Reporting to the Executive Director, you will be responsible for the following duties:

 To facilitate training to FBO’s on good governance and internal management, communication and reporting.

 Provide training on economic principles and business concepts of cooperatives.

 Provide training on financial literacy and management. General proper recording (membership, volumes produce, minutes, etc.)

 Provide training on sup

Online discussion outcomes:  

Thanks to all those that participated in the Interactive online debate on the topic: WHAT ROLE ARE THE YOUTH PLAYING AGRICULTURAL TRANSFORMATION?

Jaqueline Nassali a youth involved in ICT for Agriculture says, “ In my case I use social media to promote agriculture, I look out for agricultural events and cover the events through live tweeting, i think that's one way”  

A total of 87 individuals participated in this live debate that was moderated by Richard Mugisha, the Knowledge and innovations facilitator at AgriProFocus Uganda. The participants raised a number of key issues affecting youth in Uganda. The debate would fundamentally contribute to agribusiness but at still hindered by some factors that included:

1. Limited access to finance.

2. Limited access to market

3. Limited knowledge in the use if ICT’s

4. Luck of adequate business management skills.

It was however recommended for youth to make a difference in ag

Agricultural finance fair 2017 - Kabale

 “I am a potato farmer and have been having a challenge of accessing good seed, however during this event i have had access and got contacts of good quality seed producers. Thank you Agriprofocus and partners of this event.” - Tumukunde Annet, a female farmer.  

On the 12th and 13th of July 2017, AgriProFocus in partnership with SNV, Bank of Uganda, Trias, AMFUI, ISSD, IFDC, aBi Finance, GIZ, LADA, Excel Hort, Kabale Traders Association, Reign Business Development Agency (REBDA), KAZADI and Uganda National Seed Potato Association held an Agribusiness fair in the Kigez region covering (Kabale, Kisoro, Kanungu, Rukungiri, Rukiga and Rubanda) Districts. The event under the theme; Investment in New Technologies for Increased Market –Oriented Production was organised with an overall objective of facilitating a platform for building business & market linkages and between farmer entrepreneurs and Agribusiness Development Services provide

SAG-SEED Starter 

Happening on 14-16 September & 27-28 October 2017 Kampala, Uganda

What is the SAG-SEED Starter?

The SAG-SEED Starter is a programme that supports young teams of entrepreneurs in developing and implementing their innovative ideas.

What will participants do?

Future eco-entrepreneurs begin by forming teams and coming up with business ideas to tackle one selected main challenge in South Africa. Under expert guidance, the teams will come together in a workshop to develop and refine their ideas. Next, the teams get to test the ideas with potential customers and partners. After that, the teams get together again to present and refine their findings. At the end of the SAG-SEED Starter, the teams will have developed a solid concept and be ready to engage partners and investors in the real world. Who is eligible to apply? Individuals who have a basic business idea or a problem they want to solve and teams in the very early stages of setting up their enterpr

JUNE DAIRY MONTH CELEBRATIONS - MASINDI

28th & 29th June 2017

June Dairy Month is an annual “Dairy Month” celebrated worldwide to pay tribute to all dairy stakeholders along the entire value chain for their contribution towards providing fresh wholesome milk, milk products for all people to enjoy. This year’s June dairy month celebrations took place in Masindi with theme “Adopting Technologies for Enhanced Milk Production and Consumption”. Activities included exhibition by stakeholders, commissioning of the rehabilitated Masindi milk collection centre, school milk program in schools aimed at promoting milk consumption and corporate social responsibility at Masindi general hospital and Masindi army barracks.

AgriProFocus Uganda participated in the June dairy month celebrations with the objective of promoting the dairy multi-stakeholder platform and mobilising new members to join the platform. AgriProFocus exhibited during the event and also participated in the CSR activities. 5 new

Dairy: Uganda’s un-milked sector

As the world celebrates June dairy month, Uganda has more reason than most countries to put the dairy sector in the limelight. A quiet revolution has drastically changed the face of the sector, making it one of the outstanding agricultural success stories. The dairy value chain ticks the boxes of the government of Uganda's policy to promote commercial farming, encourage rural agro-processing and stimulate export. Surprisingly, policy makers do not seem to be aware of their own success, ignoring opportunities for further growth.

One of the reasons that dairy has not yet been profiled by government as a growth sector in agriculture is the lack of data. Who is aware that dairy has developed into the third agricultural export commodity, after coffee and fish? And well ahead of such esta