MUBENDE FARMERS EXHIBITION REPORT 2012

FARMERS EXHIBITION REPORT
ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT FOR THE COMMUNITY THROUGH IMPROVED AGRICULTURE/FARMING METHODS
DATE: 14TH TO 18TH MARCH 2012
VENUE: MUBENDE DISTRICT


PREPARED BY APPLE CONCEPTS
www.appleconceptsug.com


Contact Persons
Emmanuel Edulu
Marketing Director
Apple Concepts Ltd
Email: edulu4jc@gmail.com
Telephone: +256712335949, +256783822095

David Wodmal
Creative Director
Telephone: +256 712 688649
Email: wodmald@yahoo.co.uk



MARCH 2012
Executive summary

‘The Mubende Farmers and Traders exhibition was a success, being Apple Concept’s launched agricultural exhibition in Mubende for the first time, we exceeded our expectations as per our limited budget and sponsorship. Apple Concept also was able to reduce a number of activities earlier planned as a costs cutting measure but still executed a successful five day event and we can proudly say the event was well attended, thanks to our partners Tropical FM, Century Bottling Company Ltd, Britania Allied Industries Ltd, Stanbic Bank, China North Machine, National Water and Sewerage Corporation among others who gave financial support or in kind. We could not have achieved this success without you, thank you again.

Exhibition strategy
We advertised the exhibition for a month on Tropical FM Mubende, a two week agricultural radio programs were aired on Tropical FM, displayed posters around Mubende town for two weeks. We also hired Mayors garden, tents, public address system, security, chairs, tables, Vehicles and power generator etc.


Goals and results
Our goal this year is to officially launch this annual events in Mubende in south central Uganda, Teso (North Eastern Uganda), Lira (Northern Uganda) that would also bring closer the public, development agencies, Local Government, business, manufacturing and farming communities together, to create and expose opportunities in agriculture so as to create a food secure community through inspirational events like agricultural exhibitions.
Examples of some of the results of the event included the following:
- Bring farmers and agricultural traders into direct contact
- Expose new technologies to not only the general public but also farming communities and educational institutions to educate the general population about better farming practice etc.
- Give practicing farmers an opportunity to show case their produce to potential consumers etc.
- Set a plat form where farmers can share different experiences in farm management

Show participants
- Tropical FM
- Century Bottling Co. Ltd
- Britania Allied Industries Ltd
- Stanbic Bank
- China North Machines
- Uganda Chemicals Industries
- Ugastove Ltd
- Mityana – Mubende Farmers Association
- Nkanaga Womens Development Group
- Save the Rural out of poverty
- National Water and Sewerage Corporation
- CMRC


Benefits to partners and the local community
- The venue was branded by banners, branded tents and multiple mentions at the venue and radio messages,
- A strong bond was created between our partners and the communities of Mubende,
- The public directly interacted with manufactures, farmers and more so sales were made etc,
- The partners shared sales and organisational documents with various communities etc,
- New market links were established for farmers and traders,
- The population had an opportunity to be educated through this event hence serving the objectives of some development partners objectives,
- There was direct live coverage of event where partners and sponsors were endorsed live on Tropical FM
- Mubende Local Council Chairman Hon Francis Kibuuka Amooti offered office space to China North Machine to enable them display their modern farming technologies to the community.
- Mubende Local Government also proposed to offer land to Coca Cola for commercial tree planting (mango trees) to support natural beverage production.
- Mubende Local Government through the district leaders pledged government support for future exhibitions in Mubende District.
-

Challenges faced at the event
- Limited funds to cover planned activities
- Lack of finance to cater for electricity charges
- High cost of economic goods and services like fuel
- High Transport cost
- Limited sponsorship

Analysis and future plans
We plan even bigger shows, by learning from our challenges, we promise our partners and the communities of Mubende and the surrounding areas better value added events in 2013.
- Apple Concepts with support from our partners will reward winning farmer groups and individuals with cash and non cash prices to help boost their farming activities
- Apple Concepts plans to make follow ups and work with promising farmer groups and individuals by providing technical advice with support from the district and agricultural development agencies
- Apple Concepts plans to take this event to various districts in eastern and north eastern region.

Way forward or recommendation
- Apple Concepts requests future partners to make early financial commitments in order to enable early and better planning,
- We appeal to our partners to increase funding for future events so as to enable us organize a better event,
- Apple concepts shall research and prepare concept paper early enough so as to give our partners ample time to organize their participation,
- Apple Concepts shall work with current and future partners so as to generate stronger and impactful concepts that will benefit the objectives of our partners, sponsors and target communities.
- Apple Concepts will work with the local government, local community, development agencies in mobilising farmers and interest groups in organising future events.
- Apple Concepts with support from partners will increase the period of media campaigns on radio and outdoor advertising to create awareness about the event.

Attached to this report are pictures of just concluded event “MUBENDE FARMERS AND TRADERS EXHIBITION 2012” organised by Apple Concepts in partnership with Tropical FM Mubende “This event wouldn’t be possible without our much valued partners support”.