‘ High Flyers’ Enhances Communication and Marketing Skills for Agripreneurs

The entrepreneurs had been carefully selected from 300 participants in a business plan development competition in 2019 that highlighted agro-enterprises with the highest potential from six sub counties in Nebbi district.

The participants businesses range from micro agro-input dealerships to livestock/crop producers and micro processing installations. They are engaged in activities aimed at building their knowledge and skills in presentation, networking, feedback and customer care. The young agripreneurs were also introduced to key marketing principles and frameworks, including contracts, group marketing, market chains and developing strong marketing plans.

Agripreneurs share experiences

Through group discussions and relevant case studies, the agripreneurs were enabled to share experiences in business communication and marketing that enabled them to develop key strategies for improving their interactions with various target audiences, including customers, investors and service providers.

According to Michael, a cabbage producer, the practical sessions helped him to strategize on how to pitch his business to potential investors.

“When I was tasked to use a photo on my phone to introduce my business to fellow participants in one minute, I was scared and I thought that was too little time to talk about all my work. But the feedback from everyone helped me to sharpen my communication skills,” he said.

Norah, an agro input dealer in Nebbi sub county was inspired by the practical marketing tips shared throughout the interaction. According to her,

“I didn’t think much about the risk of entering verbal contracts until today. Most times it’s so easy to get lost in getting the deal that you forget to formalize it in writing because you are relying on friendship. From now on I will be more intentional in securing my business.”

High Flyers Program

The three-year High Flyers program aims to support high-growth potential young entrepreneurs in northern Uganda to receive high quality, growth-oriented support, scale up sustainable businesses and drive waged job creation in local communities. It is implemented by ICCO in partnership with Youth Business International (YBI) and Enterprise Uganda, and funded by the Argidius Foundation.