Food technologist, Agribusiness and enterprise development specialists. CURAD, Consortium for Enhancing University Responsiveness for Agribusiness Development. Segawa is currently the Executive Director of the Consortium for enhancing University Responsiveness to Agribusiness Development Limited (CURAD), a public-private partnership initiative with the aim of producing innovative young entrepreneurs and agribusiness leaders to champion productivity. As an experienced food scientist and Value addition expert, Apollo has a passion for agribusiness value chains, product development, quality control and quality management systems development assurance and audit in the food industry and has previously served at numerous organisations including the University of Johannesburg as Lecturer, Uganda Development Corporation (UDC), Uganda Industrial Research Institute (UIRI) and Jakana Foods. Segawa is also the chairman, Agribusiness Incubation alliance of Uganda(ABIAU).
CURAD offers a comprehensive suite of services aimed at nurturing and developing agribusiness enterprises, particularly targeting entrepreneurs, small businesses, startups, and SMEs in the East African region. our offerings include: 1. Business establishment and development support services: This encompasses assistance in setting up and developing agribusiness ventures, including business plan development, facilitating access to finance, and capacity building through various training programs. 2. Mentoring and nurturing business ideas: Providing guidance and support to entrepreneurs in refining their business concepts and strategies. 3. Marketing linkage: Helping agribusinesses connect with markets and customers through strategic partnerships and marketing initiatives. 4. Facilitating access to production equipment and office space: Offering physical infrastructure such as office space and production equipment to startups and SMEs, along with anchor tenancy opportunities. 5. Promotion of value addition to agricultural products: Encouraging the enhancement of agricultural products through value addition processes, such as processing and packaging. 6. Commercializing innovations and intellectual property management: Supporting the commercialization of innovative technologies and ideas generated by universities and research organizations, and assisting in managing intellectual property rights. 3.Incubation centers: Providing physical spaces and facilities for production, processing, and marketing of various agricultural products, including centers dedicated to specific value chains like coffee, fruits, vegetables, and beverages. Overall, CURAD aims to foster entrepreneurship and innovation in the agribusiness sector, with a focus on job creation, wealth generation, and economic development in East Africa.
CURAD’s product and service offerings address several key challenges in the agribusiness sector: 1. Limited access to support services: Many agribusiness entrepreneurs, especially startups and SMEs, face challenges in accessing essential support services such as business planning, finance, and market linkages. CURAD fills this gap by providing comprehensive support services tailored to the needs of agribusinesses, thus helping them overcome barriers to growth and sustainability. 2. Lack of infrastructure and resources: Setting up and running agribusiness ventures often require access to specialized infrastructure and resources, such as production equipment and office space. CURAD’s provision of incubation centers and facilities addresses this challenge by offering startups and SMEs access to essential resources they may not be able to afford independently. 3. Limited market access: Many small-scale agribusinesses struggle to access markets for their products, resulting in limited growth opportunities and income generation. CURAD’s focus on marketing linkage services helps connect agribusinesses with potential buyers and markets, thereby expanding their reach and increasing their sales opportunities. 4. Low levels of innovation and technology adoption: Innovation and technology play crucial roles in enhancing productivity, quality, and competitiveness in the agribusiness sector. CURAD’s emphasis on promoting innovation, commercializing technologies, and managing intellectual property helps agribusinesses adopt and benefit from innovative practices and technologies, leading to improved efficiency and profitability. 5. Limited entrepreneurial skills and capacity:Many agribusiness entrepreneurs lack the necessary business skills and knowledge to effectively manage and grow their ventures. CURAD’s capacity-building initiatives, including training programs and mentoring support, help entrepreneurs develop essential entrepreneurial skills, enabling them to make informed decisions, solve problems, and successfully manage their businesses. Overall, CURAD’s product and service offerings help address systemic challenges in the agribusiness sector, empowering entrepreneurs and businesses to overcome obstacles, unlock growth opportunities, and contribute to the economic development of East Africa.
