Be proactive, Mufumbwe cooperatives urged

The Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry is facilitating a six day workshop to equip cooperatives with entrepreneurship skills in Mufumbwe district.

The workshop, which is sponsored by the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF), an initiative of the Word Trade Organisation (WTO) and is scheduled to take place in 13 districts countrywide, is being attended by 10 local cooperatives in Mufumbwe.

Speaking during the workshop yesterday, Capacity Building for Cooperative Project

Officer, Malwila Fututu said the workshop is aimed at empowering cooperatives with entrepreneurship skills so that they shift from the dependence syndrome to independent entrepreneurs.

Mr. Fututu explained that many cooperatives only become active during the farming season when they are about to receive farming inputs from the government.

“The mindset of our cooperatives should change, they are supposed to be drivers of industrialization at local level,” he said.

He said local cooperatives have the capacity to employ different initiatives to maximize their farm produce to be sold locally and abroad.

“Mufumbwe has the capacity to produce honey and cooking oil which can be internationally recognised if well branded,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mufumbwe District Commissioner Haggai Kalota urged cooperative members to take the training seriously.

Mr. Kalota said Mufumbwe is very fortunate to be among the two districts from Northwestern province benefiting from such an important programme.

He has since encouraged cooperatives to show a difference in their operations after the workshop.