Palm Entrepreneurship Course Outline

Started on September 15, 2024 18 months

Module 1: Introduction to Palm Nuts Production

  • Global trends in palm nuts production
  • Evolution of palm nuts

Module 2: Good Agricultural Practices (GAP)

  • Overview of GAP
  • Safe agrochemical and pesticide handling

Module 3: Farmer Business School

  • Fundamentals of farmer business management
  • Socio-economic and nutritional/health importance of Orange Fleshed Sweet Potato (OFSP)

Module 4: Palm Nuts Value Chain

  • Understanding the palm nuts value chain
  • Evolution and perspective of palm nuts production in Cameroon
  • Digital data collection, analysis, and deployment for improved OFSP value chain development in Cameroon

Module 5: Entrepreneurship in the OFSP Ecosystem

  • Basic strategies for entrepreneurship
  • Common pitfalls
  • Using digital solutions to translate sustainability into action in the OFSP value chain

Module 6: Support and Development

  • Available assistance for commercial enterprises in the OFSP value chain in Cameroon
  • Contributions to socio-economic development

Module 7: Theoretical Sessions on OFSP Cultivation

  • Planting preparation (land, seed variety, etc.)
  • Planting process (dates, seed rate, seed dressing, planting spacing, etc.)
  • Soil treatment
  • Pests and disease control
  • Harvesting
  • Post-harvest operations (uprooting, cleaning, storage, and transportation techniques)

Module 8: Soya Beans Value Chain

  • Overview of possible uses of soya beans
  • Developing a standard entrepreneurial project for the value chain (feasibility study, business planning, financial and market/sales planning, personnel, and management)

Phase II: Practical Field Training

Module 9: Field and Classroom Training

  • Hands-on experience in the chosen value chain within an existing enterprise
  • Guided mentorship to replicate the value chain independently

Module 10: Enterprise Development

  • Produce a ready-to-rollout enterprise in the chosen value chain in the digital landscape
  • Simulations of real-life situations (including pitching exercises)
  • Videos of successful ventures
  • Graduation from the incubator

Phase III: Handholding and Full Rollout

Module 11: Mentorship and Support

  • Expert/mentor guidance for the full rollout of the enterprise
  • Ongoing support from mentors with success stories in the respective field

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, you will:

  1. Understand the global trends and evolution of palm nuts production.
  2. Apply Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and handle agrochemicals and pesticides safely.
  3. Grasp the socio-economic and nutritional importance of OFSP.
  4. Navigate the palm nuts value chain and its development in Cameroon.
  5. Utilize digital solutions for sustainable practices in the OFSP value chain.
  6. Develop and manage a standard entrepreneurial project within the value chain.
  7. Gain practical field experience and mentorship for independent enterprise rollout.

Leave a comment