In many underdeveloped countries, agriculture remains the backbone of the economy, yet faces numerous challenges including low productivity, limited technology adoption, and an aging farming population. Agripreneurship – the application of entrepreneurial principles to agriculture – offers promising solutions to these persistent challenges while strengthening food security and creating economic opportunities.

One example of such initiative is project that was launched by The Food and Agriculture Organization FAO, the Opportunity for Youth in Africa (OYA) Project, which focuses on empowering young agripreneurs in Zambia. Recently, 54 youth were trained through this initiative, equipping them with essential skills to thrive in the agricultural sector. This program not only addresses unemployment but also stimulates economic growth and rural transformation.

Modernizing Agriculture Through Innovation

Agripreneurs are bringing much-needed innovation to traditional farming practices. By introducing modern agricultural technologies and digital solutions, they’re helping transform subsistence farming into profitable business ventures.

The European Commission emphasizes that digital technologies can enhance farm performance by improving sustainability, productivity, and resilience. By employing Internet of Things (IoT) technologies, sensors, and data analytics, farmers can achieve more tailored farming operations that lead to higher profits and a more sustainable agricultural sector

Attracting Youth to Agriculture

One of the most significant contributions of agripreneurship is its ability to change young people’s perception of agriculture.

A study conducted across six African countries revealed that youth (ages 16-35) work significantly fewer hours in agriculture compared to older age groups. For instance, in Nigeria, only 62.8% of youth engage in agricultural work compared to their older counterparts.

These numbers highlight an urgent need to attract younger generations to the sector. Agripreneurship presents agriculture in a new light – not as traditional manual labor, but as a tech-enabled, profitable business opportunity.

Building Resilient Food Systems

Agripreneurs play a crucial role in strengthening local food systems through innovative solutions across the entire agricultural value chain. From improving storage facilities to developing efficient distribution networks, their initiatives help reduce post-harvest losses.

Research indicates that participation in agripreneurship programs can lead to a 75% improvement in food security among youth participants, with income increases of 54% in Nigeria and 37% in Uganda. These results demonstrate how empowering young agripreneurs enhances not only their livelihoods but also contributes to overall food system resilience by diversifying income sources and reducing dependency on traditional farming methods.

In another study published by the Journal of Global Innovations in Agricultural Sciences, a survey indicated that agripreneurship positively impacts food security levels by providing innovative solutions that address local challenges, thereby fostering a more resilient agricultural landscape

Challenges and Solutions

Despite its potential, agripreneurship in developing countries faces several obstacles, including limited access to finance, inadequate infrastructure, and knowledge gaps. However, successful models are emerging. A comprehensive study published by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) analyzing 124 cases of public-private partnerships in agricultural innovation across nine Latin American countries revealed that these collaborations significantly enhance the capacity for innovation within agrichains. The partnerships not only improve production efficiency but also foster a culture of collaboration among various stakeholders.

A Case Study: Digital Agriculture Innovation Challenge in Syria

The “Digital Agriculture Innovation Challenge in Syria”, a project supported by FAO in 2022, was designed to rejuvenate the agricultural sector by integrating digital technologies and engaging young people. Due to the impacts of the Syrian crisis, agriculture has suffered significant setbacks, including a loss of manpower and decreased interest from the youth. This project aims to make agriculture more appealing by introducing innovations like sensors, mobile technology, data analytics, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things. By raising awareness and building capacity, the project seeks to empower young agripreneurs and revitalize the sector.

Project Key Activities

1. Develop an Interactive Digital Platform:

– Build a user-friendly website to share knowledge and experiences related to digital agriculture in Arabic.

– Create accompanying social media pages to engage the community and expand outreach.

2. Conduct Awareness Campaigns:

– Run online media campaigns over a four-month period to raise awareness about digital agriculture and the project’s initiatives.

– Organize four offline or online promotional events to introduce participants to digital agriculture concepts and promote project activities.

3. Provide Training and Capacity Building:

– Conduct intensive capacity-building and idea development workshops for 50 beneficiaries, with at least 50% participation from females and persons with disabilities.

– Offer training on digital agriculture, design thinking, creative thinking, and essential skills for startup founders.

– Provide coaching support on project planning and proposal writing.

4. Host a National Innovation Challenge:

– Organize a national innovation challenge for workshop participants to submit digital agriculture projects.

– Award financial rewards to five winning teams or individuals to support the development of their innovative solutions.

5. Stimulate Youth Engagement and Collaboration:

– Facilitate team formation among participants based on their interests and skills.

– Encourage the development of creative business ideas in digital agriculture.

– Build an interactive model that fosters innovation through learning, problem recognition, and knowledge generation.

6. Promote Sustainable Development in Agriculture:

– Re-conceptualize agriculture value chain elements to make them more appealing to youth.

– Integrate digital technologies like sensors, mobile tech, data analytics, AI, and IoT to modernize the agricultural sector.

Mr. Fadi Mujahid, CEO and cofounder of Green Mawared was the digital agriculture expert for the this project.

The growth of agripreneurship in underdeveloped countries represents a powerful tool for achieving food security and agricultural sustainability. By combining traditional farming knowledge with modern business practices and technology, agripreneurs are creating viable solutions to longstanding agricultural challenges. As governments and international organizations continue to support these initiatives through enabling policies and funding mechanisms, agripreneurship will play an increasingly important role in building resilient and productive agricultural sectors in developing nations.

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