What is agropreneurship? Google won’t provide you with a definition, which today you might consider unusual. Then there is the fact that auto-correct keeps trying to tell me to correct the spelling of the word. Which makes me think…the NEXT HOT THING!
So let’s make it a word and a reality by talking more about it.
Maybe the first point to tackle is whether we should even differentiate agropreneurship from the regular “entrepreneurship”. It is defined by the god of entrepreneurship studies, Professor Howard Stevenson as the “pursuit of opportunity beyond resources controlled”. If we stop at this definition then no differentiation is needed, as anybody aiming to become and agropreneur or an entrepreneur is probably an individual pursuing an opportunity beyond his or her current possibilities and resources. But - hey - that is the challenge many cannot wait to take.
However, I do consider that sector-specific approaches when addressing the topic can only be beneficial. Some same rules will always apply, but addressing sector specificities will certainly facilitate the process of entrepreneurial development within the sector.
There are many particularities when considering entrepreneurship in agriculture and these are rather diverse if you address the issue at a global level. Since all these differences and nuances are too many to address in a single blog post (but have certainly generated many ideas for future ones!) I will just try to tackle the possible contribution of agropreneurship to food security and fighting malnutrition as addressed in the side event, jointly organized by Argentina, Italy and the World Farmers Organization at CFS 43.
Discussion ranged over many aspects concerning agropreneurship, from investment in training to build farmers’ entrepreneurial skills, access to credit and land, infrastructure, innovation and agri-tech, to the societal aspects such as the role of rural women and keeping youth involved in agriculture.
Profit
The whole panel agreed that farmers are entrepreneurs. They want to generate profit from managing their farms. The statements made by Uganda National Farmers Organization President Mr Charles Ogang had a big impact on the audience and on me. He put it simply: “We all agree that farmers go to the market for profit, not for loss,” like any other entrepreneur.
Mr. Marco Marzano de Marinis from WFO concurred, adding: “Farmers have a tremendously important role to play in feeding the growing population. But let’s not forget that farming is a profession, not a hobby; it is not beneficial to paint an overly romantic picture.”
Generating value
“When we speak about entrepreneurship in agriculture we shouldn’t necessarily set, as a first objective, to produce more, but to produce better. Farming and the farmer need to be the starting point of a fair food chain that will guarantee access to food for all, ” Roberto Moncalvo, President of Italian Coldiretti pointed out. He continued by explaining how supporting development of entrepreneurship in agriculture can contribute to eradicating hunger, safeguarding biodiversity, and reducing food waste, but also with current social challenges such as immigration, youth unemployment and women’s empowerment.
And let me assure you that all these aspects merit separate blogposts!
Youth
“Who will take care of our future food needs if all youth moves away from agriculture? Agriculture needs to be sexy. Innovation and new technologies are part of the answer.” That was how Mr. Marzano de Marinis brought this aspect into the debate. The panellists agreed and each highlighted the importance of youth in the sector. Mr Luis Miguel Etchevehere from Sociedad Rural in Argentina spoke of the positive trend in his country where the average age of farmers is more than 10 years younger than in Europe. Youngsters there pursue studies in the area and later apply them on farms for more sustainable and advanced production.
We need to keep youth interested in agriculture. Could the answer be a network of projects such as Rural Hub ? By connecting researchers, activists, scholars, and managers interested the hub works on identifying solutions to the needs of new rural enterprises. As a youngster interested in the sector and the impact it can have on youth unemployment, I know I would love to see more of such initiatives.
This sort of partnership and networking approach brings me back to the title of this blog…
Partnership
“Multi-stakeholder dialogue is essential for achieving progress,” Mr. Marzano de Marinis told participants. I couldn’t agree more. Agropreneurship - this hot new word that I can’t wait to see included in the dictionary and that might one day end up on an MBA syllabus - will require a collaborative approach from across the sector for it to survive and thrive.
So let’s get #Agropreneurship trending globally.
This blogpost by Ksenija Simovic, #CFS43 Social Reporter - ksenijasimovic(at)gmail.com is part of the live coverage during the 43rd Session of the Committee on World Food Security (CFS) and represents the author’s views only
Picture: Young agropreneur in Georgia - Courtesy Nodar Tokhosashvili on the GFAR blog
Find the original blogpost on the CFS website.