Building a better e-agribusiness
In this issue
A business has to be social
Martin Stimela, co-founder of Brastorne Enterprises, which provides ICT solutions for African agriculture, shares his insights on some of the core components that make up a successful business model.
A promising new continent-wide trade agreement for Africa
The new African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) is expected to be a game changer, boosting inter-African trade, spurring manufacturing, and creating economic opportunities. But for its benefits to be realised, the details need to be negotiated; and Africa's leaders need to commit to AfCFTA for the long haul.
Going organic for chilli sauce in Zambia
Smallholder farmers across Zambia are supplying a local agri-processing company with organically-grown chilli and garlic to produce pesticide-free condiments for sale across the country, and southern Africa at large.
Young agripreneurs create markets for farmers in the Congo
To encourage value addition of cassava and provide employment opportunities for local farmers, women and youths in the Democratic Republic of Congo, young entrepreneurs have established eight processing centres across the country.
Increasing farm productivity in Cameroon
Increased availability of quality seed in Cameroon is enabling smallholder farmers to boost their yields and incomes, and increase the food self-sufficiency of the country.
A passion for porcine production
Accounting for 38% of worldwide meat production, pork is attracting a new generation of African entrepreneurs – bucking the continent’s traditional aversion to the meat.
Developing a winning strategy
The rapid evolution of ICTs is providing new opportunities for young entrepreneurs in agriculture. However, there are many hurdles to be overcome before these fledgling agribusinesses become profitable.
Building a better e-agribusiness
The recent boom in ag-tech start-ups has helped to further agricultural transformation and improve farmers’ access to valuable ICT-enabled services. But to continue this progress it is pertinent that entrepreneurs design sustainable business models.
ICT start-ups for crop production and marketing
Private technology developers across the Caribbean are creating market information systems to help farmers make better decisions in the field and link them to new markets. These emerging e-agriculture business models are improving crop production and marketing, and increasing revenues for farmers and developers alike.
Caribbean farmers secure higher prices with GI certification
Agricultural products in the Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago have been awarded geographical indications (GIs), which has seen farmers receiving as much as 200% price increases and 100% growth in demand.
Building a strong brand makes a business successful
Kasope Ladipo-Ajai co-founded OmoAlata, a Nigerian food packaging business, in 2012. With plans to export products internationally, her company has already redefined the fresh foodstuff business in Nigeria.
Grain futures offer a solution to market volatility
The planned launch of grain futures contracts in Zambia will help farmers and other stakeholders to protect themselves from volatile prices and could encourage other countries to follow suit.
A competitive challenge for agribusiness
Multinational corporations in the agrifood sector are increasingly including social and environmental aspects as part of their corporate social responsibility (CSR). However, although significant progress has been achieved in favour of farmers, more needs to be done.
Africa builds climate resilience with healthy soils
by Sophie Reeve
Across Eastern and Southern Africa, over 235,000 farming households are improving the health of their soils and boosting their climate resilience by adopting conservation agriculture techniques.
Vegetable gardens help communities adapt in Vanuatu
To improve food security in one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change, communities in Vanuatu are being provided with training in new farming techniques and the production of climate-resilient crops.
Digitalising Kenya’s dairy sector
New technologies are helping to transform dairy farming into an increasingly lucrative occupation for Kenyan smallholders. The use of digital weighing scales and solar-powered refrigerated transportation units are helping to minimise waste and maximise farmer profits.
Optimum feed ratios for livestock
In collaboration with nutritionists, software developers and farmers in developing countries, Dutch consultancy firm, Single Spark, has helped to develop an app that instructs farmers how to prepare the optimum livestock feed to meet their needs.
Ismaël Tanko turning tomato into red gold
Ismaël Tanko, a 33-year-old entrepreneur, has created a fast-growing company whose tomato purees are already on sale in several West African countries. The next step is a more industrialised production line and an increased number of sales channels.
Don’t leave technology to the men
Dr Eleni Gabre-Madhin, CEO and Founder of blueMoon – Ethiopia’s first youth agribusiness incubator – shares her experience as a woman entrepreneur in Africa’s agricultural sector and stresses the importance that agribusinesses ‘think digital’.
The recent boom in ag-tech start-ups has helped to further agricultural transformation and improve farmers’ access to valuable ICT-enabled services. But to continue this progress it is pertinent that entrepreneurs design sustainable business models.
