Continued Economic Independence: Improved Productivity and Marketing, the Keys

Georgetown, Guyana. The Women Agro-processing Development Network is a registered economic venture comprising thirteen(13) Community-based Women’s Groups, whose formation was facilitated through the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture Increased Market Access and VSO’s (now CUSO) Making Markets Work 4 You Project in 2010 during a workshop held in Hosororo.

WADN is supported financially by a Developmental Partner (IICA), a public sector entity (SBB) and technically support is also received from Food Analyst -  Food and Drugs Department, Ministry of Public Health, the Ministry of Agriculture as the need arises and other institutes like National Insurance Scheme, Guyana Revenue Authority and the Cooperatives Department of the Ministry of Social Protection. The agencies/ organizations/institutions have worked to varying degrees over the past eight years (8) to assist with the development of these Community-based Groups.

The Network has benefitted from opportunities for capacity building and income generation facilitated through skills, management and organizational strengthening training; exposure to information including through participation in fora (nationally, regionally and internationally) and increased market access through participation in exhibition and trade expositions (also held nationally, regionally and internationally).

The WADN continues to seek ways to increase the economic development of its Members individually and collectively and assist in creating opportunities for Members to re-invent their businesses and adopt creative ways to sustain those businesses through good marketing strategies and Networking among themselves and with other Groups.

The Annual General and Network Meetings and the other related activities provide opportunities for sharing of experiences and information, building the capacity of Members, preparing plans and examining the impact of the previous year’s plans.

The 2018 AGM and Network Meeting held under the theme, Continued Economic Independence: Improved Productivity and Marketing, the Keys, focused on strategies for further development through building the capacity of their executive Members to redefine their vision and mission, identify the benefits of each of their products,  negotiating deals with clients and increasing their market share through strategic marketing. They also met with representatives from public sector service organization to be better informed about their rights and obligations as employed individuals and community-based entities.

The cost of hosting these activities are still beyond the capability of WADN hence partners were sought to facilitate the hosting of the 2018 AGM and Network Meetings and the Capacity Building sessions. This year the WADN extended its gratitude to the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture and the Small Business Bureau for co-hosting this week of activity and to the Representative and staff of the IICA Delegation in Guyana for their administrative support. Gratitude was extended to the Ministry of Agriculture and Staff for the use of their Conference Room. Hearty thank you to Mr. Vishnu Doerga and the Staff of Action Coach for their professional assistance in guiding our future plans.

For More Information, maxine.parris-aaron@iica.int