The ENTRECRAFT Game is training tool to make people from the rural areas who are dependent on farming activity or on the land resources for their livelihood become entrepreneurial. This Game also emphasizes on the importance of sustainable development of natural resources and the environment.
ENTRECRAFT Game is inspired by the experiential approach called Competency based Economies thru Formation of Entrepreneurs (CEFE) developed by the German Agency for Technical Cooperation (GTZ). The Game has five modules:
Module 1: Subsistence Farming
The rural families engage in farming. But due to the lack of resources and modern farming techniques, their productivity is low and they cannot escape the poverty cycle.
The objective of this module is to make them realize that subsistence farming of a small plot of land may not be enough for a rural based worker to achieve financial stability in life.
Module 2: Handicrafts Business
The government wants to alleviate poverty condition of the rural people. To do this, it encourages these people to engage in income generating projects particularly handicrafts making as a mean to augment income. The male head of the family continues with farming work. The female head of family engages in handicraft manufacturing activity. The farm families realize that there is greater potential for income in handicraft production than in subsistence farming. When the handicraft business increases in size, the family may give greater priority to the business than to farming. The male head of the family, who used to concentrate on farming may take a greater role in the handicraft business. Their ambition to be serious in handicraft production is stimulated. If, however they destroy their environment by cutting down raw materials from the forest, shortage occurs and the price increases. Moreover, the risk of environmental destruction from flood and droughts increases. They also have to deal shrewdly with the loan shark or the bank so as not to fall into financial misery.
The objectives of this module are to:
- To analyze how a serious management of a handicraft business can alleviate the poverty situation of rural people.
- To realize the need for sustainable development and environment protection
Module 3: Law of supply and demand and negotiation
The farm families begin to practice sustainable development. They engage in replanting of the forests. The supply of raw materials increases and its price stabilizes. The selling price of for farm products and handcrafts fluctuates according to the monthly demand. The middleman comes to the picture and offers a better price than the public market. The craftsmen have to practice good negotiation skills in order to get a good price from the middlemen. They also learn to invest in research to obtain the best possible price for their products.
The objectives of this module are:
- To explain how the law of supply and demand can affect the prices of farm based products
- To practice negotiation skills in obtaining the best possible price for one's products
- To realize the importance of doing research and information seeking.
Module 4: Craftsmen's Cooperative
The farm families learn to organize a craftsmen's cooperative in order to protect their interest. If they practice good management skills and time management, the cooperative becomes a great business advantage, otherwise it may only add to their burden. Through a well managed cooperative, they get an optimum price for their products and are able to avail of modern technology. This leads to great financial prosperity for all the members.
The objective of this module is to study how a craftsmen's cooperative can help the rural based people obtain the best possible advantage in terms of marketing, technology, productivity, etc.
Module 5: Trade Fair and Exporting
The government provides assistance to the craftsmen to inject innovations into their products as well as to join trade fair. Big time local and foreign buyers come in. They make big volume orders but they improved, consistent quality for their products. The craftsmen thru investment in modern technology, as well as division of labor are able to face the challenges. They go to exporting. They obtain tremendous sales. But they may become too complacent and overconfident. Through their own carelessness, they could experience terrible business disaster. They inject improvement in their business practices and thus attain their business goals.
The objectives of this module are:
- To practice innovation, productivity and high quality in a handicrafts business
- To analyze the advantages and pitfalls of going into exporting business.
More Info @ PFP Website
