OVOP---What's New

1 September 2008

	Commonwealth Secretariat consultations with stakeholders on the development of strategic options for OVOP Secretariat. Consultations are being conducted by Mr Ramesh Arunachalam in liason with OVOP Secretariat. (27th August - 15 September 2008)
	OVOP Group Training (OGT)for Biriwiri Farmers and Marketing Cooperative Society Limited was conducted at NICE Offices and RTC in Ntcheu. Topics covered included OVOP Concept Understanding, Introduction to Improved Skills for Food Processing, Marketing Strategy, Product Packagig and Labelling and Participatory Business Training. (26th- 29th August 2008)
	OVOP Malawi through JICA hosted Research Fellows from Overseas Development Institute. The Reseach fellows ( Dr Dirk te Verde and Dr Fletcher Tembo) visited selected active and upcoming OVOP groups to learn experiences from Malawi's OVOP Programme. (25th August - 29th August 2008)
	OVOP Antenna Shop was opened in Area 3 (Opposite Dc's Offices) in Lilongwe. Products available at the shop includes OVOP Kirombero and Faya rice, Banana wine, Cassava Flour, Ground nut cooking oil, Dried Vegetables, Palm Oil soap, Baobab Jam, Wooden furniture table set,Cane and bamboo furniture, Moringa Powder and many others. (25th August 2008)
	OVOP Malawi hosted a delegation from Zimbabwe. The main aim was to learn from OVOP Malawi's endevours as a model for Rural Economic Development in Africa. The delegation visited Blantyre and Lilongwe City Assembly OVOP Committees, Mitundu Agro Processing Group, Bwanje Valley Milling Cooperative, Khumbo Oil Refinery, Bvumbwe Dairy Farmers Group. At the end of visit the delegation exprerssed satisfaction on the lessons learned. The delegation was led by Deputy Ambassodar to Malawi Mr Matondorotya. ( 18th - 21st August 2008)
	6th Joint Coordinating Committee (JCC) Meeting for JICA funded Institutional and Human Resource Development Project for OVOP, Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development Lilongwe, Malawi ( 13th August 2008)
	A Marketing Review Meeting was conducted for active OVOP groups at Bunda College of Agriculture in Lilongwe.Sixteen active OVOP groups were invited for the review meeting. The aim of theMarketing Review meeting was to provide OVOP groups with an opportunity to learn from each other about what problems each group has faced and how the problems have been solved; to let OVOP groups understand that utmost efforts by both OVOP groups and OVOP Secretariat are needed for the successful operation of the Antenna shop and to discuss options for marketing structures of OVOP products after one year trial period of the Antenna Shop. ( 6th August 2008)
	OVOP Secretariat through JICA engaged a Short Term Expert (Mr Shinichi Mori) on OVOP Marketing Strategy. The outcome of the assignment was to "Strengthen the Marketing System of the OVOP Programme in Malawi. ( 6th July - 18th August 2008)
	OVOP Group Training (OGT) for Mitundu Agro Processing Group at Mitundu Teacher Development Centre . The training was on OVOP Concept understanding, Introduction to Improved Skills for Quality Control (QC) and Hygiene, Introduction to Development for New Product and Marketing Strategy and Sales Promotion of OVOP Products. ( 21st July - 22nd July 2008)
	Commonwealth Secretariat and OVOP Secretariat conducted a National Consultative Workshop on the Development of Stretegic Options for the OVOP Secretariat in Malawi at Livingstonia Beach Hotel in Salima. ( 3rd - 4th July 2008)
	OVOP Malawi hosted a delegation from Uganda. 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. ( 24th - 26th June 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. ( 28th -30th May 2008)
	OVOP groups participated at athe 20th Malawi International Trade Fair at the Chichiri Trade Fair Grounds in Blantyre. The theme for the International Trade Fair was " Promoting Export led Growth through Regional Trade.Twelve OVOP groups participated and showcased fifteen different types of products ( 16th -24th May 2008)
	5th Joint Coordinating Committee (JCC) Meeting for Institutional and Human Resource Development Project for OVOP, Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development Lilongwe, Malawi ( 5th March 2008)
	Follow Up OVOP Business Training Course at Natural Resources College in Liliongwe Covering wovwe , Hara, Mitundu Agro processing, Kunthembwe Nsinjiro, Nankhaka Cassava Processing, Katengeza cane and Babmoo Furniture, Zipatso Juice, BCA Carpentry, Bwanje Rice Processing and Tikoleraneko Groups ( 19th -22 Feb 08)
	OVOP Secretariat hosted an International Seminar for African Countries in Lilongwe, Malawi ( 22- 24 Jan 08)
	OVOP International Seminar for African Countries In Malawi preparations in Lilongwe, Malawi (Dec 07- 20 Jan 08)
	OVOP Intensive Training Course at Rumphi District Assembly Chamber In Rumphi covering Chitipa, Karonga and Rumphi (4-10 December)
	OVOP Intensive Training Course at St Theresa TDC in Liwonde covering Machinga, Mangochi and Neno districts (27-30 November)
	Training of Trainers Workshop on processing of Speacific food products organised by OVOP Secretariati,Jomo Kenyatta University and Bunda College of Agriculture (19-21 November)
	OVOP Business Training Course at Natural Resources College in Lilongwe covering Mendulo, Malabada, Muona, Zumulu, Likangala, Lufiliya groups (6-9 November)
	OVOP Intensive Training Course in Mponela covering Ntchisi, Balaka and Dowa (23-27 october)
	OVOP Intensive Training Course in Zomba covering Zomba, Chiladzulu and Blantyre (25-28 September)
	OVOP review meeting (20 October)
	IWAM BAZZAR (20 October)

22- 24 Jan08

OVOP Secretariat hosted an International Seminar for African Countries in Lilongwe, Malawi

His Exellency, the Presdent Dr Bingu wa munthalika and DrHiramatsu from OITA

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.Further detail

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Dec 07- 20 Jan08

OVOP Secretariat Preparing for OVOP International Seminar for African Countries in Malawi

The OVOP International Seminar for African Countries is scheduled to take place from 22 - 24 January 2008. The aim is to promote comprehensive understanding of One Village One Product" among senior managers from African Countries through sharing experince of Malawi Government. Further detail

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4 -10 Dec

OVOP Intensive Training Course in Rumphi

OVOP Intensive Training Course was held at Rumphi District Assembly Chamber in Rumphi covering Chitipa, Karonga and Rumphi Districts.This 4-5 days training consists of wide range of topics including OVOP Concept Awareness, Value addition understanding,Practical skills for value addition (Agro processing) Marketing and Sales Promotion, Product label Design and Packaging, Participatory Business Training and OVOP Proposal Making & AssessmentFurther detail

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27 -30 Nov

OVOP Intensive Training Course in Liwonde

OVOP Intensive Training Course was held at ST Theresa Teacher Development Centre (TDC) in Liwonde covering Machinga, Mangochi and Neno districts.This 4-5 days training consists of wide range of topics including OVOP Concept Awareness, Value addition understanding,Practical skills for value addition (Agro processing) Marketing and Sales Promotion, Product label Design and Packaging, Participatory Business Training and OVOP Proposal Making & Assessment. Further detail

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19 -21 Nov

Training of Trainers Workshop on Processing Specific Foods products at Bunda College

OVOP Secretariat, Jomo Kenyatta University and Bunda College of Agriculture jointly organised the Training of Trainers Worshop on Processing Specaific food products. The Training was organised with assistance from JICA.. Further detail

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6 -9 Nov

OVOP Business Training course for new groups

OVOP Business Training Course was held at Natural Resources College covering Mendulo, Malabada, Muona, Zumulu, Likangala and Lufiliya groups The training was conducted for 31 members from the new groups. Further detail

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23-27, October

OVOP Intensive Training (OIT) Course

OVOP Intensive Training (OIT) Course
- OIT for Balaka, Dowa and Mchisi districts was conducted in Dowa District from 23th to 27th October 2007. The programme consists of OVOP Concept Understanding, Introduction of Practical Skills for Value Addition (Jam and Juice Making), Marketing and Sales Promotion Skills, Participatory Business Training, OVOP Proposal Making, Proposal Assessment.

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20, October

OVOP Review Meeting

The first internal consultation meeting on the review of OVOP operational procedures took place on 20th October, 2007 in Salima with participants coming from the Ministry Headquarters, OVOP Secretariat and selected District Commissioners.

Participants were expected to brain storm on the some of the technical and operational problems OVOP was experiencing since its inception and came up with suggested solutions aimed at improving the programme. The opening remarks were done by the guest of Honour, Hon Minister Dr. George Chaponda, (MP)and meeting was chaired by Mr. Kaphaizi the Secritary for Rural Development, The Secretary for Local Government Mr. Mkondiwa emphasized the need for participants to critically look at the current operational problems that OVOP is facing and strategize on how best we could overcome the problems.

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20, October

IWAM BAZZAR

The OVOP Secritariat attended the International Wemen Asosiation Malawi (IWAM) Charity Bazar which was held at the Beshop markenz. OVOP gave the 20% of the sales amount to the charity work since this was a fund raising programme, The reaction of people on OVOP products was encoraging which made OVOP to make very good sales and manage to find more markets for OVOP products.

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25-28, September

Zomba, Chiladzulu and Blantyre

The Ovop Intensive training was conducted in Zomba district covering Zomba, Chiladzulu and Blantyre thr training course consists of OVOP concept awarness, participatory small business management and basic agro-processing. Extension workers from different government office at district level were targeted.OVOP is expecting the partipants to work hand in handwith the Office by helping the groups from their community's understand the OVOP concept.

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7, September

OVOP Preparing for agro-processing training

Preparation for Agro-Processing Training Programme with Bunda College
- Dr. Koaze, JICA Short-term Expert for food processing was dispatched to Malawi from the 23rd to the 25th of September to discuss about the food processing trainers training to be held in November 2007 with OVOP Secretariat and Bunda College of Agriculture, University of Malawi. Then from the 25th of September to the 2nd of October,Dr.Koaze,Dr.Koaze,Mr.Matsushima, Mrs. Mtimuni (Bunda College, The Head of Home Economics Department) and Mr. Masamba (Bunda College, lecturer)visited Kenya. The objectives of the trip were 1)
visited Kenya. The objectives of the trip were 1) to discuss with Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) about possible cooperation for the food processing training in November at Bunda College and 2) to visit some packaging and food nutrients companies around Nairobi to seek possible import of some materials to Malawi.

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28- 31, August

OVOP Intensive Training Nkhotakota, Salima and Likoma

OIT for Nkhotakota, Salima and Likoma was conducted in Nkhotakota District from 28th to 31st of August 2007.The programme covered OVOP Concept understanding, Introduction of Practival Skills for value addition (Jam and Juice making) Marketing and sales promotion skills, participatory business training (PBT),OVOP propasal making and assesment. The training was conducted in successfull manner with satisfactory administrative support by those three districts assemblies.The deputy minster Mr D Ngulinga ( MP )handed out the certificates to the partcipants.

24-27 July

OVOP Intensive Training Kasungu and Mzimba

OIT for Kasungu and Mzimbawas conducted in Kasungu District from 24th to 27st of July 2007.The programme covered OVOP Concept understanding, Introduction of Practival Skills for value addition (Jam and Juice making) Marketing and sales promotion skills, participatory business training (PBT),OVOP propasal making and assesment. The training was was successfull the participant went back to their community's with new developement knowledge

TOPICS IN 2007 01-06

TOPICS IN 2006

ONE VILLAGE ONE PRODUCT PROGRAMME (OVOP) SECRETARIAT
MINISTRY OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT

P.O BOX 30312 LILONGWE 3, MALAWI
Tel: (265) 01 770 698/606
Fax: (265) 01 770 698
E-mail: ovop@malawi.net/ovopnc@malawi.net