Many families in Peru devote themselves primarily to banana cultivation. This project was set up to familiarize them with new technologies for the efficient processing of their surplus produce and to strengthen their business management skills. Young people between the ages of 18 and 25 with low levels of education received training in the professional drying of bananas using new technologies. This modern process makes it possible to sell second- and third-grade bananas in a different way. Apart from the practical part of the training, the curriculum also includes business management, financial and administrative management, accounting, marketing, hygiene standards as well as the development of soft skills. With this knowledge, the young people assume responsibility for the production of dried fruit in a newly established company. In order to successfully master their new responsibilities, they received support in the initial phase.
The program has the goal of providing the most vulnerable population groups in the Peruvian Amazon with career prospects, as there are few high-quality jobs locally. The economic growth of the forward-looking company will create new employment opportunities, helping another 1,000 local families to find work and earn an income. The project also supports sustainable entrepreneurship, as the technological solution provides added value to the products.
Local partner: Fundación Codespa