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USAID Agribusiness Project “Women in Agribusiness”

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USAID Agribusiness Project “Women in Agribusiness”
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Page 1: USAID Agribusiness Project “Women in Agribusiness”

USAID Agribusiness Project “Women in Agribusiness”

Page 2: USAID Agribusiness Project “Women in Agribusiness”

THE IMPORTANCE OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Entrepreneurs are the drivers of economic growth and the creators of wealth. These produce jobs, stability and prosperity. Whether women or men, creating entrepreneurs is a worthy goal in itself.

Page 3: USAID Agribusiness Project “Women in Agribusiness”

“WOMEN IN AGRIBUSINESS” Training in Entrepreneurship Skills and Business Plan Writing

• Why women

• The training program

Concept

- a product

- experience

Selection

Page 4: USAID Agribusiness Project “Women in Agribusiness”

IMPACTS AND RESULTS• 297 women completed the training; 225 business plans were developed and

completed; 65% are bankable

• Service Providers’ capacity building – XAOSolutions, Economic Institute and Be Your Own Boss Company, Association of Business Women Nis and Center for Entrepreneurship Kragujevac

• Discovered serious unmet need

• USAID visibility in the South

• Stimulated coordination and interest (municipalities, donors and other interested stakeholders)

Page 5: USAID Agribusiness Project “Women in Agribusiness”

BUSINESS PLANS – Costs and Projections

• Expected sales (Average) – $50,000 per year

• Employment (Average) – 3-5 seasonal workers

• Average amount of requested investment (external sources) – $15,000

• Cost of the training - $150,000• If only 50% of women businesses

succeed, that will generate $5,000,000 annual sales and 300-500 jobs would be created

Page 6: USAID Agribusiness Project “Women in Agribusiness”
Page 7: USAID Agribusiness Project “Women in Agribusiness”

SUCCESS STORIES

• Suppliers for the bigger sellers (Salad Center and Pirot case)

• Association of vegetable producers (Užice)• Clusters (joint application for support) in Prokuplje

and Lebane• Association of women in agribusiness (South-eastern

Serbia)• Focus on South

Page 8: USAID Agribusiness Project “Women in Agribusiness”

MEDIA COVERAGE

Breakdown of media coverage:• February - 18 out of 91 media clippings • March - 34 out of 132 media clippings• Large number of local media• News segments featured in some of the key national

media such as Blic, Danas, Večernje novosti, RTS, B92, Kopernikus TV…

• Continuing media interest

Page 9: USAID Agribusiness Project “Women in Agribusiness”

QUOTES

• “I have clear understanding where to go from here” • “Now I know where to start and what should I do next” • “This is worth going through, to see the real business

situation as it is”• “You can hear and find out what awaits you if you start

your own business” • “This is a real confidence booster” • “I got lot of information about how to advertise and

position my goods better” • “I learned a lot from other women’s experiences” • “I learned to give identity to my product and make it pop

out from the crowd” • “The training is eye opening”

Page 10: USAID Agribusiness Project “Women in Agribusiness”

WHAT WE’VE LEARNED

• The need for education and credible information (AGAIN)

• Need for knowledge in design, labeling and packaging

• Women WANT to manage businesses • Women are very well organized• The further South, the less developed

are businesses• Don’t start from scratch

Page 11: USAID Agribusiness Project “Women in Agribusiness”

NEXT STEPS

• Project: Best business plan competition, packaging & labeling training, second round of training, various technical assistances

• Municipalities and the Ministries: Confirm financing of business plans, participate in the second round of training program (Sandžak)

• Donor organizations: Confirm financing of business plans, second round of training

• Carefully track and report impact

• Report at National Conference on Women in Agribusiness

• Assess service provider performance/ capacity

Page 12: USAID Agribusiness Project “Women in Agribusiness”

COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS


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