LightCastle Conducts Training for Machine Service Providers (MSPs)

LightCastle Partners Provides Financial Literacy and Investment Management Skills for Machine Service Providers (MSPs) in Jashore and Cox’s Bazar

Nazmul Kabir Al-Mehmud, Sr. Business Consultant taking a session for MSPs in Cox’s Bazar

LightCastle Partners recently conducted two training sessions for machine service providers (MSPs) on financial literacy and investment management under the CSISA-MEA project.

The Cereal Systems Initiatives for South Asia Mechanization Extension Activity (CSISA-MEA) is a five-year project funded by USAID and implemented by CIMMYT in collaboration with iDE and the Georgia Institute of Technology (GT). The project aims to enhance agricultural resilience, productivity, and profitability by improving the competitiveness and effectiveness of agricultural-based light-engineering micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and MSPs.

The first training session took place on May 30, 2024, in the Feed the Future (FTF) Zone of Resilience (ZOR) in Cox’s Bazar. The second session was held on June 6, 2024, in the FTF Zone of Influence (ZOI) in Jashore. These sessions aimed to provide MSPs with capacity development support on financial literacy and investment management. Senior Business Consultant Nazmul Kabir Al-Mehmud and Business Analyst John Gomes conducted the sessions.

Nazmul Kabir Al-Mehmud taking a session in Jashore for CSISA-MEA project — *Nazmul Kabir Al-Mehmud taking a session in Jashore*

Each training session was attended by 21 MSPs from various parts of the respective regions. The Cox’s Bazar training included participants from Bandarban, Ukhia, and Cox’s Bazar Sadar. Similarly, the Jashore training included participants from Magura, Jashore, and Jhenaidah.

The training was based on LightCastle Partners’ MSP curriculum module, covering:

Understanding Business and Entrepreneurship
Business Model Canvas
Financial Indicators
Cash Flow Statement
Sources of Financing
Application of Loans

Participants solving exercises during the training for CSISA-MEA project — *Participants solving exercises during the training*

LightCastle Partners invited Upazila Agricultural Officers from both regions to explain the application process for obtaining subsidized agriculture machines. Additionally, Owen Calvert, the Chief of Party of the CSISA-MEA project, attended the certificate-giving ceremony in Cox’s Bazar.

Certificate-giving Ceremony in Cox’s Bazar Region

Certificate-giving Ceremony in Jashore Region — Certificate-giving Ceremony in Cox’s Bazar Region

These training sessions are part of LightCastle Partners’ ongoing efforts to empower MSPs with essential financial and investment management skills, contributing to the overall success and sustainability of agricultural enterprises and entrepreneurs in Bangladesh.