My.Coop training for shea cooperatives in Burkina Faso

From 12 through 14 July, Agriterra Burkina Faso facilitated a training under the Farmer Focused Transformation project for three shea cooperatives. BOUD NOOMA, OUEZENA and BEOGO NEERE were trained on the theory and practice of modules 1 and 2 of the My.Coop training.

99% of the members of the shea cooperatives are women. The cooperatives' activities are a form of income diversification at the women’s level. The cooperatives used to carry out activities on a social basis, only implementing social activities, but now they want to transform and produce shea to make a business out of it. Since there is a demand from the market, they want to export their products in the form of shea butter, shea nuts and shea soaps.
The My.Coop training aimed to strengthen the managers in improving their management skills, and to improve the provision of essential services to the members.

Over three days, 24 participants (23 women, 1 man) were trained. During the training, much emphasis was placed on role-playing where the participants could put the theory into practice.
At the end of the training, the cooperatives presented their newly made action plans. The leaders are committed to setting a good example for their cooperatives and are determined to involve their members in all strategic decisions. They believe they master the basics to manage their cooperatives well and don’t rely too heavily on NGO’s to carry out their activities.  
The participants closed the training with a dance together.