On 22 March 2022, the AMEA Ethiopia Local Network organized a day for members and partners, including a workshop to develop a strategy for improving business development services (BDS) for farmer organizations (FOs). Participants included AMEA members and partners, as well as a number of private BDS providers. AMEA\u2019s global Network Director and Program Officer were also in attendance.<\/p>\n
The event focused on two core areas of AMEA\u2019s work:<\/p>\n
The workshop highlighted how the AMEA approach is put into practice by AMEA members. SCOPEinsight\u2019s assessment tools and IFC\u2019s Agribusiness Leadership Program (ALP) training and coaching curricula were presented to the group. Participants reflected on their key takeaways from the presentations, and how they might incorporate the lessons learned into their own initiatives.<\/p>\n
Nuru Ethiopia then shared their experiences of using the tools in Gamo Gofa zone in SNNP region, where they are intensively supporting 31 primary cooperatives and one cooperative union. Nuru\u2019s wholistic approach and embedding the tools within the FOs has made them successful in increasing the assessment scores of their FOs, with Hidota Union serving as a prime example of a flourishing union that is serving the community.<\/p>\n
A case study on a project implemented by A Glimmer of Hope and Self Help Africa to adapt the tools to assess and train rural savings and credit cooperatives (RUSACCOs) was also shared. The tools have been implemented in Libo Kemkem (Amhara) and Oda Bultum (Oromia) woredas (districts), and the lessons learned to date have been incorporated into a new initiative in Debub Sodo (SNNP region).<\/p>\n