To insure the continuous learning process of the Program staff and experts AGRI CAMP conducted a four-day “Farmers Business Game” ToT on June 20-23. The training took place at the AgriHUB in cooperation whit German Sparkassenstiftung for International Cooperation (DSIK).

Farmers Business Game is a highly interactive training for smallholder farmers, emerging farmers, and agricultural entrepreneurs who want to improve their skills for successful and sustainable farm management.

The overall objective of the Farmers Business Game is to promote financial literacy and raise awareness of the importance of financial planning, applying an experience-based approach.

During the training, the participants manage a farm with the aim to improve their agricultural business, they form teams and choose crops to cultivate their fields, taking into consideration the revenue compared to the costs. Each team tries to reach a high quality of farm and life.

In particular, the knowledge and contents of the board-based simulation training Farmers Business game includes the following:

• Raising business literacy of small farmers and agricultural entrepreneurs.
• Increasing bankability and access to finance thus, increasing quality of life.
• Basic accounting skills, controlling principles and application of financial tools.
• Mitigating the risks related to harvesting, and seasonability.
• Farm management through learning about crop and livestock selection while taking into consideration harvesting time and arising costs.
• Understanding the strategies to prepare for risks through savings, loan products or insurances.

During this intensive program, our expert trainers, Raffi Ohannesian and Anna Hovhannisyan, shared their wealth of knowledge and experience with a diverse group of participants. They equipped them with essential skills and strategies to effectively teach and implement the Farmer Business Game in agricultural communities.

             

The participants of the ToT were introduced to various approaches to specific target-groups and their effects, obtained skills to conduct the training under difficult conditions, learned how to deal with conflicts and resistance in trainings, etc.

           

As a result of the cooperation DSIK provided the entire set of internationally developed training modules to the AGRI CAMP Program, and the participants have been awarded the Farmers Business Game trainer qualification.

The simulation will be used in the AGRI CAMP Program and will be included in the list of training modules of other ICARE programs aimed at increasing the efficiency of farm management in Armenia. As a result of the training the farmers will increase financial and agricultural knowledge; learn about crop and livestock management, considering harvesting times and costs; understand financial statements and long-term planning using tools like cash flow, profit and loss statements, and balance sheet; recognize the roles of stakeholders such as customers, neighboring farmers, financial institutions, and staff; learn to react to unexpected events and risks, and plan necessary measures.

“We would like to express our gratitude to ICARE for their continuous support and partnership in promoting agricultural entrepreneurship and capacity-building initiatives. Together, we strive to empower farmers and uplift rural communities across Armenia. Let’s continue to cultivate a brighter future for Armenian farmers!” –  German Sparkassenstiftung Armenia wrote on their FB page after the finalization of the training.

We say thank you and look forward to further fruitful cooperation with our partner DSIK Armenia.