UJAMAA CENTER Report
Eco- Resource
Management, Utilization and Marketing Course for Rural Communities In
Coastal Areas of Kwale And Kilifi Districts of Kenya (From December 8-14, 2003)
Introduction
This
training was aimed at agro-industry stakeholders from the three partner
communities of Ujamaa Center. The first objective of the training was
to explore the alternative agri-business areas that the Center had
surveyed. Then pin the product development and entrepreneurial capacity
needed to make these work. The idea was to ultimately match the field
findings with practical business potential and market outreach
possibility if all this were to be of any meaning to the groups. The
training was to end with clear business plans and action plan for
commencement of business. Whereas 4 days had been projected in the
initial plan this proved inadequate and the project coordinator and the
training team decided to extend this to 6 days and in part provide the
needs based training that was projected with the support fund
disbursement. This was done in the interest of time.
The participants were drawn from the rural community based groups in coastal Areas, where
each group was represented by at least five (5) people chosen on the
basis of their interest, position in groups, entrepreneurial skills and
ability to take forward projections from the training. The groups were
divided into three (Tsunza, Tiwi and Bayamose); these three groups are
the umbrella groups in Kilifi, Kwale and Mombasa districts. Tiwi
location in Kwale district, Bayamose in Kilifi, Tsunza villages in
Mombasa.
Mobilization team: Ujamaa Center
| Number of participants:
| By
Gender
Men 14 Women 5
| Ujamaa Center Secretariat Men 0 Women 1
|
Facilitators/Resource persons were:
1. Patrick Ochieng
2. Michael Muchilwa
3. Bernard Owuor
4. Mumo Kivuitu
5. Dr. Ezekiel Okemwa
Total number of people: Twenty-five (25)
Training objectives
The
main objective of the training was to equip the project communities
with information and preparedness to invest in eco-resource initiatives
along the findings of the baseline study, which was also to be
disseminated at this workshop. Further the workshop was an opportunity
to investigate more closely the business potential in seaweed, agro
forestry/forest tree growing and apiculture in the three sites.
About the process
The
baseline study findings were shared. The participants then paid a field
visit to KARI in Mtwapa to understand what linkages were possible with
state research institutions in fulfilling the mandate of the project.
The second day was about sea resources generally to examine the
possibilities for business from the sea and its rich bed. On the third
day the participants were taken through farm forestry and high value
tree growing an area that most farmers haven’t given real attention.
This was followed by input and group sessions on business plans,
entrepreneurship, and reasons for success or failure in business among
other salient issues. On the fourth day the participants were taken to
Arabuko Sokoke a government forest at which on farm tree nursery
management and apiculture were experienced practically. The forest is
also host to a butterfly farm that local community benefits from
greatly. On the fifth day the participants had occasion to examine the
figures involved in setting up a tree nursery and what the business was
all about having regard to the business concepts shared earlier.
The
meeting also explored existing and new opportunities that could be
exploited in the agribusiness sector following which a visti to KWETU
Training Center exposed the participants to candle and soap making,
crab cultures, bee keeping and a wide array of resources around what
communities could do to manage and benefit from their natural
environment.
DAY I: Expectations Sharing
The participants shared their expectations as being the following: -
1. To enhance business knowledge
2. To share new knowledge
3. To enhance networking
4. To maximize utility of resources
5. To learn about marine resources from the participants
6. To exchange market information and products
7. To rediscover whom we are in relation to our environment
8.
To rediscover the natural resource base in the coast and how
communities are balancing between conservation and utilization
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