SOROTI, October 25, 2023 – The Minister of State for Gender, Labour, and Social Development [Disability Affairs], Hellen Asamo has urged Teso cultural leaders to identify women who will benefit from the Generating Growth Opportunities and Productivity for Women Enterprises [ GROW] Project.
Minister Asamo made the call on Sunday at Soroti Sports Ground during the celebrations to mark the first coronation anniversary of Papa Emorimor Paul Sande Emolot Etomeileng, the Teso Paramount Chief, under the theme ” Revamping Teso agricultural production and food security”.
GROW Project which is funded through a US$ 217 million grant from the World Bank is to increase access to entrepreneurial services that enable women entrepreneurs to grow their enterprises in targeted locations, including host and refugee communities.
The project is being implemented jointly by the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development [MGLSD] and Private Sector Foundation Uganda [PSFU] among other partners.
The minister said the project will help women to access affordable credit at a minimal interest rate as well as capacity building among others.
“I encourage you to identify women in business under the area of culture that will benefit from this project because many have been left out,” she said.
She urged the district local government to coordinate with the cultural leaders in the implementation of the project, adding that government will continue to support and empower traditional institutions to develop their respective kingdoms.
GROW’s components tackle key barriers through; the provision of enterprise development services, business advisory services, and women’s networks that facilitate market linkages, value chain and transforming negative social norms that prevent women from engaging in business activities; increased access to finance for women entrepreneurs to transition from micro enterprises to small and medium enterprises.
The project also enables inclusive infrastructure through common-users’ facilities and childcare and supports project management, policy innovation, and evidence generation.
The project that was launched in June 2023 runs up to 2027 seeks to have 35,000 micro and 4,000 small women enterprises in Uganda transition to small and medium enterprises respectively.
It is expected that the project will create a solid platform for dialogue, exchange of experiences and action towards women’s economic empowerment.
Meanwhile, Hellen Adoa, the State Minister for Fisheries who doubles as the Woman Member of Parliament for Serere district urged Papa Emolot to consider hosting coronation anniversaries in different districts of Teso Sub-region.
In these celebrations, she said, young girls should be taught how to prepare local dishes that symbolise culture.
Papa Emolot in his speech urged President Yoweri Museveni to improve the performance of Teso Fruit Factory, saying it is not absorbing all oranges, making farmers to sell their fruits at cheap prices.
Vice President, Jessica Alupo while delivering a message from President Museveni asked the cultural leaders to collaborate with other kingdoms on key development issues. “I encourage you to borrow a leaf from other kingdoms for a good cause,” she said.
https://thecooperator.news/smallholder-farmers-in-teso-to-benefit-from-market-linkages/
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