Agribank introduces virtual training material
The Agricultural Bank (Agribank) unveiled virtual training material on specified farming practices, aimed at transferring knowledge and skills to farmers to enhance farming productivity countrywide.The videos focus on five farming practices, namely poultry production, farm infrastructure, rangeland management, livestock production, as well as crop and horticulture production.
The material was introduced by the bank in line with its agri advisory services function, whose long-term goal is to inspire positive attitudes in farmers towards agribusiness to improve productivity.
Speaking at the launch, Agribank’s executive manager for marketing and customer strategy, Regan Mwazi, said that due to the disruptive nature of Covid-19 on all elements of doing business, the bank had to come up with solutions to remain relevant to stakeholders.
“Agribank’s agri advisory services mandate is to promote sustainable agricultural business ventures, while also building business relationships between clients, potential clients and the bank,” he added.
He said that the training materials were developed with the support of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), adding to other platforms through which Agribank shares agricultural knowledge.
Currently, the bank uses article publications in local newspapers and online interventions such as the Agri-Learn Podcast, and tips of the week that can also be found on Agribank’s social media platforms like YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Spotify, Donlu Africa, and Apple podcasts
“Agribank encourages the public and especially the youth, to tune in to such platforms and subscribe.”
While officiating at the launch, the chairperson of the Otjozondjupa regional council, Marlayn Mbakera, called on farmers and the public at large to embrace the virtual training materials in their farming approach.
“Farming offers endless opportunities and therefore do not back away from exploring such opportunities due to lack of knowledge. Use these materials to equip yourselves,” she said.
Since its establishment in 2017, the agri advisory services function of the bank have benefitted 36 013 agri-entrepreneurs of which 70% are small-scale farmers based in communal/rural areas of the country, while 120 clients of the bank, are being mentored.
Going forward, the bank has embarked on initiatives to roll out intensive training programmes across all regions, hence the launch of the virtual training materials.