HollandDoor has the experience and skills to strengthen the capacity of farmers’ organizations. Within the framework of a training and coaching program by BE Link Academy on strategic and organizational development, HollandDoor trained representatives of the Farmers Union Network of Liberia (FUN) in agribusiness management.
FUN was founded in 2008 to advocate for a fair agricultural climate in Liberia and to help farmers increase their production and access new markets. FUN offers training and exposes Liberian farmers to international best practices and new technologies. However, FUN staff lacks the required knowledge and skills to perform its tasks effectively. Experts from BE Link Academy have already trained FUN staff on organizational development, including lobbying, fundraising, and interaction with farmers. In this HollandDoor activity, the FUN participants learned about the functioning of agro-food systems and supply chains, marketing and sales development, business planning, and methods of training farmers. During the training, the FUN participants developed an action plan for a yet-to-be-launched value chain pilot project, aiming to facilitate the export of several commodities to regional markets.
The one-week training took place in the Ghanaian capital Accra in July 2021. Due to the fact that the event was held in Ghana, the Liberian participants were able to meet and learn from organizations and businesses in the Ghanaian agriculture sector. Dialogue sessions were held with the Vegetable Producers and Exporters Association of Ghana (VEPEAG) and the Volta Value Chain Cooperative Fruits and Vegetables Union (VVCCU). Furthermore, the group visited the pineapple plantation and warehouse of Bomarts Farm Ltd.
This training in cooperation with BE Link Academy is part of a tailor-made training funded under the Orange Knowledge Programme, managed by Nuffic, the Dutch organization for internationalization in education.
For more information please contact Jos Leeters.
