PostBank is on a mission to transform the livelihoods of Ugandan farmers. In a strategic move to boost agricultural exports, the bank has equipped 150 cassava farmers and SMEs in Arua District with essential skills to penetrate the lucrative East African market.
Through a four-day intensive training program conducted in partnership with the Federation of Small and Medium Enterprises (FSME), participants acquired invaluable knowledge in value addition techniques. The program culminated in a financial literacy session,empowering farmers to effectively manage their finances and leverage PostBank’s agricultural products.
By investing in the growth of its rural clientele, PostBank is not only driving economic development but also positioning Uganda as a major agricultural exporter in the region.
Over 150 cassava farmers and SMEs in Arua District completed a four-day training under the PostBank Agri-SME Skills Development Programme, in partnership with Federation of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises.
The training included a hands-on session at Kabia and Sons Millers on good manufacturing practices to enhance value addition for regional trade opportunities, and a financial literacy session by PostBank Arua branch, focusing on financial management and agricultural products offered by the bank.
Kizito Enzama, a Personal Banker at PostBank Arua branch, emphasized PostBank’s commitment to fostering prosperity and helping farmers transition from subsistence to commercial farming to allow their products to meet both local and international market standards, improving their market base.
“At PostBank, we are committed to fostering prosperity for Ugandans which aligns with our new tagline, Grow Prosper. By upskilling farmers, we can enable them to transition from subsistence to commercial farming. This transformation allows their products to meet both local and international market standards, improving their market base,” stated Kizito Enzama, a Personal Banker at PostBank Arua branch, on behalf of the Branch Manager.
Upon completing the four-day training, the participants received certificates, which were handed over by the Resident City Commissioner, Arua Town, Charles Ichogor.
“We are truly grateful that Arua District was selected for this very insightful training, and I encourage all the participants to adopt and put into practice the knowledge they have acquired to ensure better quality cassava products,” Ichogor said.
He added, “I commend the efforts of PostBank Uganda and their implementation partner FSME towards extending such opportunities to our people which have a positive impact and overall, such engagements complement government efforts of social economic transformation of our people.”
PostBank Uganda through its Corporate Social Investment arm launched its Agri SME Skills Development Program in 2022 and in collaboration with FSME has conducted SME Value Addition and financial literacy trainings to over 700 beneficiaries countrywide.
The 2024 program cohort targeting 300 beneficiaries was launched in March and beneficiaries have received training in millet processing in Soroti district, agro-tourism in Fort Portal, and cassava processing in Arua district. The final training, focusing on coffee value addition, will be held in Kampala.