In the framework of our upcoming AgriBusiness Forum to be held in Johannesburg from the 16 - 19 October, some of our partners were invited to give their opinions on their different fields of expertise. In the run up to the forum, EMRC will periodically be publishing their interviews for members and partners. Meet Godfrey K. Atuheire, of the Incubation and Diversification Of Banana Products For Agribusiness (IDBPA) Consortium - Consortia part of the UniBRAIN Programme.
EMRC: UniBRAIN and NIABI will be collaborating on a workshop during the EMRC-UNDP AgriBusiness 2011 Forum to raise awareness and promote Africa's agribusiness industry. What are the key issues that this side event will focus on?
Godfrey Atuheire: The key issues that this side event will focus on should include:
- Collaborations and partnerships between organizations that focus on related goals and objectives of UniBRAIN and NIABI.
- How value chain can be enhanced while developing Business to Business models among various stake holders
- Development of appropriate financial management systems for successful business plan implementation
- Experiences and lessons in business models for agribusiness development
- Strategies to attract more foreign/local private investment in Africa
EMRC: Why is the link between Indian and African agribusiness know-how and expertise so important in 2011?
GA: The link between Indian and African agribusiness know-how and expertise is so important in 2011 because it enhances technical support, information sharing, identification of business opportunities, networking for increased sales and marketing, negotiation and contract bargaining as well as increased private sector support and lobbying for particular projects.
EMRC: What can Forum participants gain from this workshop and what does UniBrain expect to gain from meeting Forum participants?
- Entrepreneurship skills and marketing strategies
- Implementation strategies for their projects/Consortia
GA:
- Information sharing and lobbying for consortia
- Promoting partnership between consortia members and other international Agencies
- Encourage collaboration between Governments, Businesses and Development Partners
EMRC: What does UniBrain aim to establish in the 5 to 10 years to come for Africa's agricultural sector?
GA:
- Assisting African countries in acquiring modern technologies for using in producing quality agricultural produce for both regional and International markets.
- Encourage rural development innovation and entrepreneurship
- Developing various business models for institutional development that strengthens farmers’ capacities through training, extension, information dissemination and sharing, exchange of experience as well as dissemination of appropriate technologies and best practices for Agricultural Sector
- Strengthen the importance of a conducive business environment to attract new investment and to increase economic incentive to foster R&D in agriculture, nutrition and food safety
- Setting up small scale practical Innovations aimed at training various entrepreneurs and thereafter upscale particular innovations