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OVOP Malawi hosted a delegation from Uganda.
24-26 Jun. 2008
The aim of the visit was to learn from Malawi experience with the Implementation of the OVOP programme. Of major interest was the institutionalisation of the OVOP Programme in Malawi. The delegation visited Bwanje Valley Rice Cooperative, Nankhaka cassava Group and Katengeza Cane and bamboo furniture among others.
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The 4th Tokyo International Conference.
28-30 May 2008
OVOP Malawi attended the 4th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD IV) under the theme "Towards a Vibrant Africa". TICAD IV was co -held with African Fair 2008 where 40 African countries displayed and sold products from their countries. OVOP products that were displayed at the fair included baobab jam, palm oil soap, cow dung cards and cane furniture.
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The 20th Malawi International Trade Fair.
16-24 May 2008
Officially opened by His Excellency the State President Dr. Bingu wa Mutharika, the 20th Malawi International Trade Fair was aimed at promoting integration of the local companies into the regional and global markets, through exposure of their products and services.
The theme for this year’s trade fair was: “Promoting Export Led Growth Through Regional Trade”. According to the Malawi Confederation of Chambers Commerce and Industry, the theme was chosen to reflect Malawi’s efforts taken to realize its vision of transforming herself from being a predominantly importing and consuming nation to a predominantly producing and exporting one.
The Fair took nine days from 16th to 24th May 2008, and amongst the participating traders were OVOP groups. A total of 13 OVOP groups exhibited different types of products both inside the Confederation of Chambers Commerce hall and an ordinary pavilion outside COMESA hall.
The Trade Fair was a great opportunity for OVOP groups as they were exposed to an opportunity to mingle both local and international exhibitors. At least 7 enterprises and 4 individuals indicated interest to do business with OVOP groups.
The products that were exhibited at this years’ fair included OVOP rice from Bwanje Rice Producers and Marketing Cooperative from Dedza and Wovwe Water Users Association from Karonga, cassava flour from Rumphi Cassava Association, palm oil soap from Kaporo in Karonga, tangerine juice from Zipatso Association in Mwanza, nsinjiro and ground nuts from Kunthembwe Nsinjiro group in Blantyre, cane and bamboo furniture from Katengeza in Dowa, pure honey from Tigwirizane Bee Keeping Group from Mendulo in Mulanje,pasturarised milk; cheese and chambiko from Bvumbwe Dairy farmers in Thyolo, dried and fresh vegetables from Bvumbwe Vegetable Growers Association in Thyolo; moringa powder,Soya flour, Baobab oil, Baobab jam from Khumbo Oil Refinery in Blantyre; banana wine from Mkondezi Winery in Nkhatabay and timber furniture from BCA Capentry in Limbe.
The total sales for OVOP groups from the 20th Malawi International Trade fair were approximately Mk451,615.00.
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Community Capacity and Development Training.
17-15 April. 2008
Held from 17th to 15th Aprirl by Asia Pacific University in Japan, the area-focused training on Community Capacity and Rural Development focused on One Village One Product, and was conducted for central and local government officials in charge of planning, implementing and evaluating community development in their countries.
The training drew participants from Malawi,Zambia, Mozambique,Tanzania, South Africa, Senegal,Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia,Madagascar and Nigeria.
The objectives of the training were;
Understanding the concept of community capacity and rural development.
Understanding the system and the policy for commu nity capacity development.
Understanding the system of planning, implementing and evaluating for rural development.
Making a plans for rural development on the basis of community capacity development and learning the appropriate methods for planning.
The participants drew lessons from case studies on Japan, such as; sense of community, commitment, ability to set objectives, ability to achieve objectives, ability to identify and access resources, availability of leadership characteristics within the village, human resources development was vigorously done through training, life experiences and strong networking capabilities by the villages.
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The 5th Joint Coordinating Committee (JCC) Meeting.
5 Mar. 2008
The 5th Joint Coordinating Committee (JCC) meeting for Institutional and Human Resource Development Project for OVOP was held on 5th March 2008 at the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development.
Chairman for the committee, Mr Kester Kaphaizi outlined the aims of the JCC Meeting as being
a mode for reviewing the JICA-OVOP, “Institutional & Human Resource Development Project”.
Speaking at the meeting, the National Coordinator for OVOP Mrs Kamia Kaluma- Sulumba outlined gains made in the first half of the programme’s existence, especially in areas of capacity building for business, marketing and quality control of products.
The Coordinator also mentioned the achievements made since the previous JCC meeting which included OVOP concept dissemination to all districts in Malawi and approval of 9 new projects, of which, seven of which will be funded by the Government of Malawi (GOM).
Also addressing the meeting, Resident Representative for JICA Malawi Mr. Kyoji Mizutani commended the OVOP National Secretariat and the Malawi Government for the effort and interest in the One Village One Product programme citing the OVOP Intensive Training conducted across Malawi and successful hosting the OVOP International Seminar for Africa
The meeting also outlined challenges and its impact on the OVOP program such as; Lack of legal status of OVOP groups, Lack of resources to match the demand because of renewed interest from communities for OVOP projects.
Report on the progress of OVOP programme for period of July to December 2008 was presented including OVOP Intensive Training and Institutional Establishment at District level, New OVOP Projects for 2007/08, OVOP Loan scheme with MARDEF, trainings for OVOP groups on business and agro processing, OVOP products marketing promotion, reviewing OVOP programme and revision of OVOP strategic plan and GOM staff allocation to OVOP secretariat.
Also included were plans of JICA-OVOP project activities for 2008/09 and draft report from the Mid Term Evaluation Mission for the JICA-OVOP project.
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OVOP Groups Drilled on Business Management.
19-22 Feb. 2008
The follow up OVOP Business Training was conducted from 19th to 22nd February 2008, at Natural Resources College in Lilongwe.
Participants to the training were from 15 ongoing OVOP groups :Wovwe Water Users Association, Hara Water Users Association, Mitundu Agro processing group, Mkondezi winery group, Bvumbwe Dairy group, Bvumbwe Vegetable Processing group, Kunthembwe Nsinjiro processing group, Nankhaka cassava processing group, Katengeza cane and bamboo furniture, Zipatso Juice making Association, BCA carpentry group, Bwanje Rice Processing group and Tikoleraneko Aids and Orphan care group.
Improving capacity in Business administration,business recording, profitability and sustainability of business activities, are among the activities the training focussed on.
Amongst the hot topics was the business analysis discussion which centered on product suitability to market demand, product quality (size, design, package, price and expiry dates) for customers satisfaction, competitors sales and secrets of competitors products, total revenue, total costs and business net profits.
Problem and objective analysis was also discussed with the aim of sharing experiences of group management through full participation of the people, to find common and unique problems and its solution for group management among participants.
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OVOP Secretariat hosted an International Seminar for African Countries in Lilongwe, Malawi.
22-24 Jan. 2008
The OVOP International Seminar for African Countries was held from 22nd to 24th january 2008 It was officialy openede by His Exelency the president of the republic of Malawi Dr Bingu wa Munthalika, The seminar drew participants from Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Mosambique, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, and Zambia. Also present were representatives from the African Union, the International Labor organisation,(ILO), United nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), Techno Net Africa, JETRO, and United Nation Capital Develpment Fund (UNCDF).The aim was to promote a comprehensive understanding of OVOP movement and how it can be applied in Africa context.
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