Miller Magazine Issue 146 February 2022

46 MILLER / FEBRUARY 2022 NEWS DEG – Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH, Bühler and eProd Solutions Limited launch virtual training program in Sub-Sahara Africa. Three companies, the German DEG – Deutsche Inves- titions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH, Bühler, and enterprise resource planning systems provider, eProd Solutions Limited, have met to discuss the launch of a virtual training program for improved milling technology and supply chain management in agriculture to Sub-Sa- hara Africa. The project is implemented within the frame- work of develoPPP, a funding program for sustainable company initiatives of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). The develoPPP Agreement was officially signed on October 28, 2021. DEG, the private sector arm of the state owned KFW group, is the financial partner and will contribute 50% of the total costs of the project, the other 50% is being privately contributed. This project was initiated and applied for by Bühler to- gether with eProd. The Cereal Millers Association of Ken- ya assisted with a support letter to DEG and will be one of the beneficiaries. The conceptualization of the course content as well as back-end development is currently tak- ing place. The selection of the first 35 millers from the Ce- real Millers Association in Nairobi, Kenya will take place until January 31, 2022, followed by the kick-off of the pilot course until March 31, 2022. The course will be streamed from the African Milling School in Nairobi, Kenya. The course is made up of 14 modules, eProd will de- liver eight modules and Bühler will deliver the remaining six modules over this time. The program is 100% virtual and will be done in a webinar format. The objective is to give the learners a sustainable training experience. Each learner will then also get access to the online e-learning platform, which still needs to be developed. The platform will provide additional information as well as tests. The main aim is that the learner takes away as much knowl- edge as possible and is then able to use the necessary best practices going forward. The learners will get a cer- tificate of participation once all modules are complete. The envisaged results will be that eventually 250 mill- ers are trained in basic milling technology and supply chain management. The supply chain mentoring pro- gram is implemented with at least 125 Sub-Saharan Af- rican milling companies. 125 Sub-Saharan African millers perceive that the training program will lead to a more efficient and tailored business sourcing strategy. “This project offers us a unique opportunity to craft a customized and highly efficient solution to bring to the millers to enable them to increase the quality of produce and reduce processing losses to strengthen the agri- food supply chain in Sub-Saharan Africa,” concludes Mat- thias Grabe, Managing Director, Bühler East Africa. Exciting training opportunity for aspiring millers in Middle East & Africa