(Olam Agri) – Empowering Rural Women with Practical Skills and Hands-On Baking Training at Olam Agri’s Bekoko Wheat Milling Facility
Olam Agri has officially launched the Bake & Shine Initiative in Cameroon, equipping women from the Littoral region with essential skills in baking and confectionary as a pathway to entrepreneurship and sustainable livelihoods. This programme in Cameroon ties well with the pan-West African sustainability initiatives in the baking sector and reaffirms the company’s commitment to empowering women and fostering resilient, thriving communities.
Over the course of four days, 80 participants gathered at Olam Agri’s wheat facility in Bekoko for hands-on training in preparing popular products such as beignets, chin chin, doughnuts, baked peanuts, cakes, and cupcakes. Beyond practical sessions in baking, the women received vital training aimed at enhancing entrepreneurial skillsets and business profitability including bookkeeping, savings management, online sales strategies, and leveraging social media for product placement and marketing.
In addition to skills development, participants benefited from free health screenings for cardiovascular conditions such as hypertension and diabetes, conducted by the Bondeko Foundation Medical Clinic. They also gained expertise in food safety and hygiene while they toured Olam Agri’s wheat mill, gaining insight into the production process and how food safety is at the forefront behind such food businesses. Each participant received a certificate of completion. Those who showed outstanding skills during the training and practical sessions were presented with startup kits containing essential equipment including mixing machines, flour basins, pots, and baking tools to help them launch or grow their businesses.
Speaking about the event, Veeresh Mallikarjun Hiremath, Country Head and Business Head for Grains in Cameroon emphasised: “This initiative perfectly embodies our commitment to creating sustainable value and enhancing lives within the communities we serve. By empowering these women with baking and marketing skills, we are fostering entrepreneurship and building a future where they can unlock their full potential and positively contribute to society.”
Djoumou Nathan Nathan, General Manager and National Sales Manager for the Grains business in Cameroon, added: “This project is significant as it opens new doors for women to develop skills that pave the way for independent and fulfilling livelihoods. We deeply appreciate the women’s enthusiasm throughout the training and practical sessions and look forward to witnessing the lasting impact this initiative will bring.”
Olam Agri remains committed to advancing opportunities for women, enabling them to build self-sufficient and meaningful lives that ties in well with our overall goal across pan-Africa on empowering women and youth in the baking sector.
