IFAD, SMEDAN train SMEs, farmers on business sustenance
THE International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) have trained 35 farmers from Ondo State on how to surmount the challenges they are currently facing in order to remain in business.
Speaking during the training, the State Project Coordinator, IFAD/LIFE-ND Project, Prince Olawale Ademola, tasked the cocoa, cassava, poultry and fishery farmers to devise method that could reduce their loss.
Ademola, who was represented by the State Rural Institution, Gender and Youth Officer of IFAD, Mrs Ajibade Olukemi, advised the farmers to diversify by going into the sector of the businesses that requires less funding.
He also advised the farmers present and other entrepreneurs that they should study the value chain of the business they are into and delve into it to remain in business.
He urged them to give the agency feedback on their business activities, assuring them that the agency was ready to reward hardwork, efficiency and persistence.
The state coordinator also advised them to strengthen their groups and encouraged to save so that they would benefit in all provisions of the agency.
The State Manager of SMEDAN, Prince Tomi Ikuomola advised all the entrepreneurs to ensure their businesses are registered with Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and ensure they get National Identification Number (NIN) in order for them to benefit from loans and other programmes of the agency.
Speaking on Credit/Loan Mobilisation For LIFE – ND Enterprise Groups Representative in selected Communities, the resource person, .Pastor Olorunfemi Samson explained how entrepreneurs could access loans made available by agencies.
He also trained them on how the could explore International market by ensuring their products are packaged to international standard.
The attendees appreciated the agencies for helping them in solving some of the challenges they are currently facing on the businesses due to fuel subsidy removal.
