Vitality of Business Development Services (BDS) in the Agricultural Sector
Why BDS?
Is BDS necessary in small scale agriculture? Yes, says GiZ; Yes says FRIENDS Consult LTD (FCL), and so should all of us. In Northern Uganda, agriculture sustains livelihoods yet faces persistent challenges. A good initiative by the German Agency for International Cooperation (GiZ) under PRUDEV II project is proving this. Through a contract with FCL, GiZ is addressing the seldom addressed need for BDS by training, coaching and mentoring local providers of BDS who independently provide services to locals in agribusiness.
This project empowers lower-tier BDS providers to offer enduring support to farmers, agri-MSMEs, and farmer organizations, ensuring sustainability beyond the program’s end. The idea is to create a supply side of the BDS market that is good and affordable enough to work with locals in offering responsive BDS.
Three Key Reasons Why BDS Matters
- Real Economic Transformation: BDS bridges traditional farming with modern agribusiness, driving innovation and scalability to transition to market based farming and combat poverty.
- Solutions to Critical Challenges: BDS tackles barriers like limited market access, finance shortages, and inefficient supply chains, low skill levels, business ineptitude and several other limitations to equip farmers for success.
- 3. Inclusive Growth: By including women, people with disabilities and other marginalized groups, BDS fosters equitable opportunities, benefiting communities at large.
GiZ, working with FRIENDS Consult, is helping communities in Northern Uganda to tap into the above advantages through sustainable BDS.
The PRUDEV II Project Essentials: 5Ws
Who: GiZ and FCL train local BDS providers, who in turn train and coach local farmers in vital skills.
What: Technical support in market access, finance sourcing and financial management, market access, value addition, business skills, and product development.
Where: Northern Uganda.
When: Ongoing under PRUDEV II, with lasting post-project impact.
Why: To unlock agribusiness potential and resolve farmers’ pain points for prosperous enterprises.
Alignment with Development Goals
The project bolsters Uganda’s agriculture, which employs 70% of the population and contributes 24% to GDP, aligning with National Development Plan IV for modernization and poverty reduction. It enhances financial inclusion and market links, boosting exports like coffee and maize, while supporting World Bank aims for rural access and sustainability.
Beneficiary Impact
Farmers gain higher incomes, food security, financial resilience, climate adaptation, fair markets, and gender equality. Shifting from subsistence to commercial farming elevates living standards, education, and health. In essence, BDS is transforming Northern Uganda’s agriculture into a thriving, inclusive engine of growth, promising a brighter future for all.
Dr. Keren Obara.
Digital Marketing Associate.