The collaboration between KIC and the Mastercard Foundation has resulted in the launch of an extensive series of skills training programs in entrepreneurship for women groups in selected farming communities in the Northern Regions. The primary goal of these initiatives is to equip women and youth-focused groups with essential entrepreneurial skills, with plans to expand the training sessions to other parts of the country.
The training sessions are tailored to a diverse range of women groups, including farmer associations, youth, and adolescent groups. They are designed to offer practical, hands-on training that can directly enhance the participants’ ability to generate income and support their families within the agricultural value chain.
In the Northern Regions, the focus of the training was on the processing of groundnuts into coated groundnut roast chips. This specific skill was chosen due to its high market demand and potential for profitability. The women were taught coating methods and packaging, allowing them to acquire new skills and start their own business ventures.
One notable participant of this training was Dorcas Mdegu, a 32-year-old woman living with a disability who requires support for mobility. Despite her challenges, Dorcas demonstrated remarkable resilience and determination throughout the training, successfully acquiring new skills that enabled her to start producing and selling groundnut roast chips. Her success story serves as a testament to the transformative power of these training sessions, as she has not only been able to generate income to support her family but has also created employment opportunities for other women in her community.
KIC’s commitment to enabling opportunities for women and youth-focused groups is unwavering. These skills training programs aim to build the capacity of women to manage and grow their own businesses, fostering economic independence and community development. The partnership with the Mastercard Foundation underscores the shared vision of both organizations to drive inclusive growth and development for young people, and particularly for women.
Through these targeted training programs, KIC and the Mastercard Foundation are making significant strides in empowering women groups in farming communities. The skills acquired through these trainings are not only improving individual livelihoods but also contributing to the overall economic development of the regions involved. As these programs expand, the ripple effect of empowerment and entrepreneurship is expected to reach even more communities, fostering a culture of self-reliance and economic resilience.
The commitment by KIC and the Mastercard Foundation towards enhancing the entrepreneurial capabilities of women and youth is a step towards achieving sustainable development and economic growth. These initiatives are part of a broader strategy to enable women and youth to succeed in their ventures and contribute to the overall prosperity of their communities.
In conclusion, the collaboration between KIC and the Mastercard Foundation in providing entrepreneurship skills training for women in agriculture is not only empowering individuals to build successful businesses but also contributing to the economic development of the regions. The impact of these initiatives is expected to create a ripple effect across various communities, fostering a culture of self-reliance and economic resilience.