Africa Agribusiness Academy supports entrepreneurs through capacity building. Through trainings depending on member needs, linkages to markets and finance, AAA ensures members’ growth. AAA also provides a platform for networking in the five sector desks of Honey, Fruits and Vegetables, Dairy, Poultry and Agri- Inputs.

A one day training for AAA members in the honey business was carried out by Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) and Ministry of Trade at AAA Secretariat. The objectives; making members understand the requirements and the need for certification and auditing as a necessary step towards achieving development, understand the Buy Uganda Build Uganda policy (BUBU) and how to benefit from the policy during the honey week.

Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) is a statutory body under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives established by UNBS Act of 1983 and the UNBS Amendment Act, 2013. The Company carries out services such as Development of Standards, Promotion of Standards and Enforcement of Standards. Members were appreciated for forming an apiculture farmers’ consortium.

The certification requirements include; - Application for certification, obtaining relevant product standards, onsite follow up / technical inspection visit for technical guidance on implementation of Good Manufacturing Practices and Good Hygienic Practices (GMPs/GHPs), among others.

UNBS certification marks are in two categories i.e. Standards Mark (S-Mark) is mandatory for products covered by compulsory standards. The “Quality Mark (Q-Mark) is voluntary, with an S-mark, the product cannot cross Ugandan boarders. The Q-mark guarantees the producers to sell their products across borders.

Benefits of Product Certification.
- Winning Consumer confidence;
- Access to markets;
- Safeguarding the image and reputation of the manufacturer;
- Protection against unfair competition;

On the other hand, BUBU promotes the consumption and use of locally manufactured goods and services (both through public sector procurement and the ordinary channels of commerce). It further promotes conformity to standards through increased interaction and administrative coordination of activities of all Government Ministries, Departments, Agencies, and Local Governments.

The occasion was graced with the presence of the AAA Director Mr. Karama Farid who stated that the Honey Sector Desk is the heart of AAA amidst other sector desks and was aimed at bringing the honey entrepreneurs together with the major objective of increasing awareness on the potential in the sector by carrying out collective marketing and sourcing. As a sector he advised members to share business opportunities and also work upon production, for example by training farmers to get enough supplies for bigger markets.

During the 3 day exhibition organized by The Uganda National Apiculture Development Organization (TUNADO) where AAA booked a stall, members got an opportunity to share skills, network, identify potential partners in their businesses and also engaged in business deals. Mr.Abanyu Simon of Delta Bees, AAA member, carried out a training on “Propolis and Stincture” making to the entire honey members in Uganda during the honey week.

The exhibition provided a recruitment ground for new members, as several were interfaced with by the country coordinator and through member recommendations.

The exhibition was successfully concluded by the Executive Director TUNADO who awarded certificates of participation to participants. AAA was awarded with two certificates, one for certificate of participation and the other certificate of recognition for persistent support to bee keepers in attending the National Honey Week Event.