Field report: Sustainable support for food processing SMEs in Uganda

Peter Fellows; Mike Dillon; Barrie Axtell; Michael Lubowa

doi:10.3362/2046-1887.2014.025

Field report: Sustainable support for food processing SMEs in Uganda

Peter Fellows, Mike Dillon, Barrie Axtell, Michael Lubowa

This report describes an approach to support for small and medium food processing enterprises in Uganda that meets many of their identified needs in a financially sustainable way. The components of support provision were: 1) identification of small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) needs in specific food sub-sectors; 2) provision of training to SME owners; 3) selection of potential trainers and advisers from among participants and provision of training for local trainers and consultants to provide ongoing support; and 4) creation of an independent, not-for-profit company to coordinate SME support, create linkages with other institutions, and supply equipment, materials, information, training, and consultancy services on a commercial basis. This was intended to enable financial sustainability and long-term support for food processing SMEs.

Lubowa, M. (1998) ‘Small enterprise development by Midway Centre’, paper presented at International Workshop on Strategies for Strengthening Small-scale Food Processing Enterprises in Eastern and Southern Africa, Entebbe, Uganda, 2-6 November 1998.

Mchomvu, H. (2011) ‘Women entrepreneurship development in Tanzania: focus on food processing’, Food Chain 1(2): 227-34 <http://dx.doi.org/10.3362/2046-1887.2011.020≯.

Practical Action (2014) Food Processing Building Design [pdf] <http://practicalaction.org/food-processing-building-design≯ [accessed 27 September 2014]. http://practicalaction.org/food-processing-building-design

UNIDO (2007) Food Processing Pilot Centres [pdf] <www.unscn.org/layout/modules/resources/files/Food_processing_pilot_centres.pdf≯ [accessed 27 September 2014]. www.unscn.org/layout/modules/resources/files/Food_processing_pilot_centres.pdf

UNIDO (2009) Independent Evaluation, Uganda: UNIDO Integrated Programme, Agro-processing and Private Sector Development - Phase II [pdf] <www.unido.org/fileadmin/user_media/About_UNIDO/Evaluation/IP-CSF_reports/2009-R_1_IP%20Uganda.pdf≯ [accessed 4 November 2014]. www.unido.org/fileadmin/user_media/About_UNIDO/Evaluation/IP-CSF_reports/2009-R_1_IP%20Uganda.pdf

UFPEA (Uganda Fish Processors and Exporters Association) website <www.ufpea.co.ug≯ [accessed 27 September 2014]. www.ufpea.co.ug

UOSPA (Uganda Oilseed Producers and Processors Association) website <http://apf-uganda.ning.com/group/ugandaoilseedproducersandprocessorsassociation≯ [accessed 27 September 2014]. http://apf-uganda.ning.com/group/ugandaoilseedproducersandprocessorsassociation

USSIA (Uganda Small Scale Industries Association) website <www.ussia.or.ug≯ [accessed 27 September 2014]. www.ussia.or.ug