The Savannah Women Farmers Association (SWFA) has conducted a business incubation, cooperative capacity development, and value addition training for its Business Development Team (BDT) to strengthen women-led agribusinesses across the Northern Region.
The one-day workshop, held in Tamale, brought together about 100 BDT members from Savelugu, Nanton, Mion, Tolon, and Kumbungu Districts.
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The training is part of the Forest and Farm Facility (FFF) project, implemented by SWFA with funding from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
Speaking during the training, Mr. Oseni Kabiru, Programmer Officer at SWFA, noted the need to equip the BDT with practical skills in business incubation, cooperative governance, and value addition to better support women farmers and youth agripreneurs.
He highlighted that while cooperatives have shown strong commitment, gaps in business planning, enterprise development, and product diversification have limited their growth.
“The Business Development Team is our frontline support structure. Strengthening their capacity means strengthening cooperatives and individual agripreneurs.
This training ensures they can help members develop bankable business plans, establish viable agribusiness ventures, and add value to products such as shea, rice, and vegetables,” he said.
The training adopted a participatory approach, including group exercises and photographic demonstrations, aimed at practical learning and peer exchange.
SWFA plans to develop at least five new business plans and incubate three pilot enterprises within six months.
Mr. Kabiru emphasized that the training reflects SWFA’s commitment to inclusive agribusiness development, sustainable livelihoods for women farmers, strong cooperatives, entrepreneurship support, and improved market access in the northern part of the country.
Participants expressed appreciation for the initiative.
Madam Bintu Abdulai from Naapagyili said the training transformed her understanding of agribusiness management and value addition, explaining, “Before this workshop, I focused mainly on producing raw produce.
Now, I understand the importance of processing, packaging, and record keeping, increasing profits.”
Mr. Zakaria Abukari, a BDT member from Tampion, described the training as timely for supporting young agripreneurs in rural communities, adding,
“The incubation skills we have received will help us mentor new businesses and guide cooperatives to operate more professionally.”
