Since Inception the ZADT has been providing technical assistance to the various levels of actors participating in its disbursement model either directly or through its partner institutions. Financial institutions were capacitated in areas which enhanced their understanding and management of credit to small to medium enterprises (SMEs) particularly within the agricultural sector. Other capacity building areas included opportunities in agricultural lending, real life applications of value chain models, risk management in value chain financing, gender in agricultural finance and enhancing value chain development.
Under the current financing model ZADT facilitates provision of technical assistance to value chain actors which include the funded agribusinesses and SMEs and the linked smallholder farmers. Some trainings may be outsourced or requested from partners with the expertise. The ZADT continues to mobilize resources for this activity as well as partnering with other organizations working in the same development space who are working for the uplifting of smallholder agriculture.
Youth-Led Micro Small Medium Enterprises (MSME) Training and Mentorship Programme
A group of youths undergoing training in Harare
ZADT is facilitating the Youth-Led MSME Training and Mentorship project implemented by the African Guarantee Fund (AGF) with funding from the African Development Bank (AfDB) Youth Entrepreneurship Innovation Multi Donor Trust Fund (YEI MDTF). This project is working with 100 startup and growth-oriented youth MSMEs throughout the country, 50% of who are women. The programme is capacitating the MSME youth in entrepreneurship, financial literacy and access to finance. The YEI MDTF programme is supporting youth-owned businesses in various sectors. The current group is involved in businesses in agriculture, food processing, consultancy, Information technology, transport, renewable energy, photography, commodity trading and others. Following the completion of the training programme ZADT is currently mentoring the entrepreneurs. The final outcome is a capacitated entrepreneur who can attract funding from financial institutions such as commercial banks, microfinance institutions and other financing houses.
The Food for Export Masterclass Programme
The Food for Export Masterclass 2020 (FEM2020) Programme was a collaborative programme between the Netherlands Embassy in Harare together with the Zimbabwe Agricultural Development Trust (ZADT), Hivos, ZimTrade and PUM, a Dutch Senior Experts organization. The program was working with 15 women entrepreneurs. It was customized and highly focused offering trainings on creation of agricultural value chain based bankable business plans, production methods and certification. Networking skills and personal development of the targeted women entrepreneurs was also inculcated to ensure the entrepreneurs have the confidence to lead, take risks and to innovate.
The Entrepreneurs that were capacitated are involved in the horticulture, agri-food, processed foods and dairy sectors. Specific value chains include dairy, honey, horticulture, nuts, fruits, Chia and herbal teas. Some of the entrepreneurs were already exporting whilst others were working towards that.