Report on the Project Kick-off Meeting for the AABS Agribusiness Consortium Nairobi, Kenya, 17-18th August, 2012

Transcription

1 The Association of African Business Schools (AABS) supported by USIU, Kenya hosted a project kick-off meeting in Nairobi, Kenya with representatives of the agribusiness consortium, development organizations and other key stakeholders that served as the Steering Committee for the development phase of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation sponsored Agribusiness Project. The Agenda included sessions with Faculty and Alumni from the USIU Program in Management & Innovation for Agribusiness Entrepreneurs and grantee organizations of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Meeting Objectives Report on the Project Kick-off Meeting for the AABS Agribusiness Consortium Nairobi, Kenya, 17-18th August, 2012 Kick- start the AABS Agribusiness project, laying out the key milestones and timeline, and build a foundation for further project activities Showcase innovative approaches and best practices from agribusiness/management training programmes delivered in consortium schools and apply design thinking to integrate findings in the development and delivery of the AABS training programmes Facilitate discussion among common issues and challenges for curriculum development and programme delivery Learn first-hand from the USIU experience in developing and implementing the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation funded Program in Management & Innovation for Agribusiness Entrepreneurs Day 1: Friday 17th August, 2012 Immersion into the USIU Programme in Management & Innovation for Agribusiness Entrepreneurs The USIU Programme in Management & Innovation for Agribusiness Entrepreneurs is structured over four months, with eight core modules and four concentration modules. Case studies are a core pedagogical approach with a 12 case studies developed for each module of the programme. The objective is to produce a scalable model for leadership and management training for smallholder agribusiness entrepreneurs and goals for entrepreneurs are to increase turnover by at least 50% and improve consumer access. The project has a strategic advisory board with membership including representation from key agricultural value chains in Kenya and the Ministry of Agriculture. International partners for program and curriculum development are Michigan State University and Global Business Schools Network (GBSN) Promotional and programme coordination activities were instrumental in the success of the programme. Outreach channels for advertising the programme and recruiting entrepreneurs included print and electronic media, website, word of mouth through partners such as farmer organizations, NGO s Advisory Board Members. The selection process for applicants comprised of an interview and a due diligence process. Faculty, industry practitioners and case writers were also selected through a competitive process. USIU developed a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation plan tracking programme content, delivery and milestones, entrepreneurs feedback and services offered. A Q& A session probed further the areas of cost of the programme, wrap around services post training, training outcomes and the case study development process

2 SWOCA Analysis Strengths Great students follow up Opportunities Well- staffed team, great coordination Strengthening the food value chain in the region through training agribusiness entrepreneurs; Cohorts have formed a network to reach out to other entrepreneurs in the country Entrepreneurs are able to develop their business plans Weaknesses Training can only be held in Nairobi Challenges Selection of applicants; limited slots available Achievements Developed course materials and case studies for the 12 modules Program has 29 alumni and counting male/female student ratio Sharing Insights Faculty shared insights on modules that ranged from transformational leadership, ICT innovation in Agribusiness to Financial Management and Business Plan Development. An alumni representative of the programme described it as a life-changing experience. He runs a cheese processing factory in Nakuru, Kenya and as a result of the programme, has changed the way things are done at the factory. Procedures have been put in place written documents, request for funds, procurement processes to manage cash flow, and negotiating market access for cheese products. I m no longer running a kitchen garden but in the business of making money. This programme changed our mindsets and the ballgame of how we operate. Alumni Representative, USIU Program in Management & Innovation for Agribusiness Entrepreneurs The immersion experience ended with a site visit to a graduate of the programme, dairy farmer Mwalimu Njuguna. Afternoon Sessions Introduction: Why we are here Jonathan Cook of the Association of African Business Schools gave the introduction to the afternoon session, sharing a summary of opportunities. The core goal is a contractual obligation with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to train managers of grantee and sub-grantee organizations. Beyond that, a summary of opportunities includes (1) Make the agribusiness management education initiative sustainable and thereby contribute to Africa s economic development, (2) Do this by growing the network of schools involved; teaching, research and advocacy to help integrate the agribusiness value chain (3) Collaborate on the project to raise the quality of business school teaching and design across Africa (4) Serve as a prototype for other collaborative projects in AABS. The AABS Agribusiness Consortium The Agribusiness Consortium comprises of: Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), Tanzania GIMPA Business School), Ghana Lagos Business School, Nigeria Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture & Technology (JKUAT), Kenya University of Stellenbosch Executive Development Ltd, South Africa United States International University, Kenya.

3 Core strengths highlighted of the schools are: SUA has a joint MSc Agricultural and Applied Economics with the University of Pretoria, an MBA in Agribusiness, an Agribusiness Incubator, African Agribusiness Academy, Women Empowerment Project, SUGECO Entrepreneur Program, Contracting out of poverty. GIMPA has a very strong entrepreneurship and SME focus. Capacity includes a Center for Management Development, an Entrepreneurship MBA and Executive Education. LBS has strong themes of business ethics and sustainability and a strong general management programme. JKUAT has a core strength in Enterprise Development with a self-sustaining Nairobi City Campus and runs several projects with international development partners including a DFID project for small enterprises, leadership and project management and microfinance; a Business plan competition for World Bank University of Stellenbosch Executive Development Ltd incorporates community entrepreneurship and an Action Learning project in programmes for NGOs. Strengths include project management, a Centre for Applied Entrepreneurship and distance learning. Wrap Up of Day 1 The day ended with a note for a review of the curriculum framework, project goals and milestones, and reflections for curriculum design in preparation for Day 2. Day 2: Saturday 18th August, 2012 Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Perspectives, Dr. Chris Gilbert, Global Edge Solutions, Bill Gates Foundation Representative Dr. Chris Gilbert shared some insights on the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation perspective in sponsoring this project. The goal for Agriculture is value chain improvement with a focus on staple crops and livestock. Outcomes Inside Outcomes : Three C s Clarity Commitment Capacity Outside Outcomes : Three D s Development Demonstration Dissemination Expectations: Measurable aspects of successful human capacity development Outcomes assessment of student success Program-level assessment of curriculum/faculty On the ground assessment of business changes along the supply and value chains Assessment of local or regional capacity changes through investment partners Food security through sustainable agriculture Business Acumen Stabilizing Cycles Expanding Markets Add value to partner investors e.g. World Bank The Result Panel Discussion: Perspectives from Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Grantee Organizations by Esther Kamau, Moses Kimani, TechnoServe, Moses Nyabila, East Africa Dairy Development Project (Heifer International) The food gap is widening; how do we move to producing to full potential? Moses Nyabila, Regional Director, East Africa Dairy Development Project TechnoServe Presentation- Moses Kimani Presentation centered on highlights of TechnoServe projects and impact across the East Africa region: Dairy, Coffee, Staple, Food Processing, Entrepreneurship, women youth, cotton, cocoa, horticulture East Africa Dairy Development Project (EADD) Presentation- Moses Nyabila

4 EADD has developed a hub model which is an ecosystem including extension, supply chain and the business around production right from a loan from the bank to a business plan, essential creating a village economic community. The project has 80 such enterprises; the largest cooperative has 7,000 members. The problem with our universities is the lack of an ability to interpret the opportunity and what is out there. The need is an interpretation of the opportunity: graduates are primarily interested in the big NGO s and companies, yet the assets of dairy farmers are greater than the Nairobi Stock Exchange. Graduates need to see the opportunities in the cooperatives; there is a need for general managers, extension workers and accountants. There is a need for entrepreneurial leaders, not just entrepreneurs. Q& A for Guest Panel The Q&A and discussion session with the guest panel provided further factors to take into consideration in designing the training programmes for the core target market group of development organizations. These organizations have the theory, employees tend to be specialists in fields such as Agric Economics and crop science, what is needed is an ability to see the opportunities on the ground. There is a need to develop people who can create programmes to help farmers create their own potential and understand how to translate this vision to farmers. Working with farmers requires an ability to teach them planning, cash flow, employing professionals, job descriptions and internal controls. There is a need to build cooperatives, create management groups and expand extension departments. Every 100 farmers needs an extension worker. To build a critical mass, we need linkages and practical training on the ground. Curriculum/Design Session Context The USIU immersion and the session with development organizations provided the much needed context and reflections for the curriculum design session. The group agreed that the curriculum content should cover Agriculture, Business Management Development and making things happen. The programme focus should achieve impact across value chains and include other crops apart from staple food crops. The Class (Target Market): Projected class size of 30 participants Modules It was discussed that modules should have various components e.g. Agri- Marketing should look at both Trader and Economics aspects; Strategic & Systems Thinking should include Foundations of Sustainable Business, Self-Management- People Management & Team Dynamics Technology The use of technology in delivery as a complement was discussed: Suggestions included an online delivery portal for self-study content, and the use of tablets.

5 In-Country Needs Analysis & Listening Tour It was agreed that a needs assessment is needed in each of the pilot programme locations to understand in-depth the needs on the ground and tailor curriculum development accordingly. This will be a collaborative process between all three schools (Tanzania, Ghana & Nigeria) hosting the pilot programmes. This analysis will be completed by the end of In Attendance Name Role Institution Country 1. Dr. Anna Temu Senior Lecturer, Department Sokoine University of Agriculture Tanzania of Agricultural Economics & Agribusiness 2. Dr. Daniel Ndyetabula Lecturer, Department of Sokoine University of Agriculture Tanzania Agricultural Economics & Agribusiness 3. Dr. Bernard Obeng Lecturer, GIMPA Business Ghana Institute of Management Ghana School & Public Administration 4. Professor. Francis Associate Deputy Vice United States International University Kenya Wambalaba Chancellor, Research (USIU) 5. Professor Roselyn Director, CBD Campus University of Agriculture & (JKUAT) Kenya Gakure Jomo Kenyatta Technology 6. Mr. DeWet Schoeman Executive: Centre for Applied University Of Stellenbosch Entrepreneurship Executive Development Ltd Stellenbosch 7. Dr. Olayinka David- West Lecturer, Information Systems Lagos Business School Nigeria 8. Mr. Mandla Nkomo Programme Manager, TechnoServe, South Africa South Africa Agribusiness & Food Security 9. Mr. Edmund Chawira Advisory & Observer Zimbabwe 10.Dr. Chris Gilbert Managing Principal, Global Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation U.S.A Edge Solutions Representative 11.Mr. Jonathan Cook Director of Special Projects; Association of African Business South Africa Director Gordon Institute of Schools (AABS); University of Business Science (GIBS) Pretoria 12. Ms. Dinah Hanson Agribusiness Project Manager Association of African Business South Africa/ Schools (AABS) Ghana

6 Guests in Attendance Name Session Institution Country Faculty, Alumni, Project USIU Program for Management USIU Kenya Management Team of the & Innovation for Agribusiness for Agribusiness Entrepreneurs Entrepreneurs Dr. Chris Gilbert Perspectives from Bill & Global Edge U.S.A Melinda Gates Foundation Solutions Mr. Moses Kimani Panel Discussion: Perspectives TechnoServe Kenya Esther Kamau from Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Grantee Organizations Mr. Moses Nyabila Panel Discussion: Perspectives East Africa Dairy Kenya from Bill & Melinda Gates Development Project Uganda Foundation Grantee Organizations (Heifer International) Rwanda Elements of the Curriculum Framework Learning Model The focus elements of the programme are the Knowing, Being and Doing learning pillars shown below. Figure 1: Knowing Being Doing Model Being Personal Development to lead innovation and impact across the Agribusiness Knowing Doing Over-arching perspective of the Agribusiness value chain; understanding of management disciplines; learning from insight Project based experiential learning experience. Best practices indicate people learn best

7 Curriculum Design Figure 2: Training Programme Modular Design AABS Agribusiness Management Training Program 2 mths 3mths 4mths Pr e- Wo rk Mod ul a r Blo c k A L P Mod ul a r Blo c k A L P Mod ul a r Blo c k Work Book: Self - Assessm ent Pre-Test Modules. Form ALP Teams Action Learnin g Project Module s. Introdu ce coache s/ment ors Action Learnin g Project Module s. Final ALP Presen tation As shown in figure two, the program adopts a modular block design with three modules spread over nine months. To facilitate experiential learning, an Action Learning Project (ALP) will be implemented by participants over the duration of the program. Coaching and mentoring will be part of the ALP to provide guidance and support to participants and facilitate learning from the practical application as a wraparound service. Modules will consist of both core and elective subjects. The program will extensively use case studies that will be sourced both from consortium partners such as USIU and development of new case studies. Case studies will be rooted in the African or country context and will be focused on value chains of particular importance to smallholder farmers, e.g. coffee, cashew nut, staple foods (e.g. maize, cassava), coffee, cotton, dairy, livestock, fisheries etc.). All developed content will address issues of leadership, sustainability and ethics.