The Role of Mentoring Services in Agricultural Small and Medium Enterprises in the Gambia

Abstract

The performance of SMEs in The Gambia is very poor; a possible solution is to provide mentoring service to them. Mentoring is the function of nurturing and supporting by providing SMEs with professional skills development, and moral support to positively impact on the business sustainability. This study empirically investigates the basic profile of agricultural business mentoring, the skill sets; and to represent the importance of the skills as represented in the model and to understand the mentoring for start-up business in the country. Semi structured questionnaires with reference to literature studies from other countries were used to gather data. Data was collected from staffs and sample size of 100 respondents from the agro-enterprises was identified, out of which 62 were received. Results indicated that limited numbers of female staffs were involved in agro-enterprises. The results revealed some average relationship between educational level and entrepreneurial skills are significantly correlated. It was suggested that there is need for an efficient, effective and advisory service for training if people are to start a small business in the country successfully. In conclusion, we suggested that the authorities, private organizations and non-governmental organizations to help strengthen their support in term of entrepreneurial skills training, encouragement, and finance to the individuals and groups. Also establishment of mentoring organization and entrepreneurship training as well as innovative skills in all high and tertiary institutions in the country to put into consideration.