Supporting African Agroecological Entrepreneurs
Results of Phase One
Joint Action Research Project by
The Agroecology Fund &
Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa
June 17, 2021
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Purpose�
To research and analyze existing African Agroecological Entrepreneurs (AEEs) and service providers (e.g. non-profits, public funds, investors, banks, and technical assistance entities) to understand their role and relationship to agroecology movements and markets.
Questions
What do entrepreneurs need to create an enabling environment for agroecology?
What are the required areas of financial and non-financial support?
I. Ways Forward�II. Research �III. Findings
Provide small loans and support for smallholder famers to produce, process, and market their production and to create value-added businesses for local consumption in local & regional markets.
#1
Territorial
Markets
#2 Procurement Programs
Promote government school feeding programs as a stronger way to stimulate local markets, health, biodiversity and entrepreneurship than export crops.
#3 Cooperatives
Invest in cooperative associations of farmers and other entrepreneurs to scale aggregation and processing of food for stable production, participatory governance, and profit sharing.
Convene AEEs with innovative service providers and donors to:
#4 Convenings
Organize entrepreneurs to advocate for the purchase of agroecological, biodiverse, local food. Buy local, eat local. Differentiate from climate smart, conservation, or other simplified approaches.
#5
Business
Association
Support agroecological entrepreneurs with business assistance, access to finance, mentors and peer networks to grow their businesses.
#6 Accelerator/ Incubator
I. Ways Forward�II. Research �III. Findings
Governance��
Guiding Group
Advisory Group
Researchers & Advisors��27 People�12 African countries � 6 Women
Co-Leaders
Team Members
Consultant Teams
Gathuru Mburu, lead
Wanjiru Kamau
Billy Mukamuri, lead
Tarisayi Pedzisa
Chaka Uzondu, Ghana, lead
Korka Sall, Senegal
Daouda Drabo, Burkina Faso
Mamadou Boukari, Togo
Michael Odhiambo, Kenya, lead
Yussuf Nsengiyumva, Rwanda
Elizabeth Kharono, Uganda
Wilbard Mkama Kakene, Tanzania
Researchers
Data Collected
Reports & Data�(AFSA website)
Briefing Papers
Case Studies
Country & Regional Reports
Presentations (PowerPoint & Recording)
I. Ways Forward�II. Research�III. Findings
1. Agroecological �Entrepreneurs are Many & Diverse
Farmer-growers
Cooperatives
Aggregators & Processors
Urban backyard gardeners
Private companies
NGOs / non-profits
Varied Activities
Production and Aggregation
Processing
Farm Inputs
Farm Infrastructure
Foraging
Cooking
Specialty Foods
Revenue & Years In Business
2. Service Providers include: �investors, accelerators, banks, technical assistance providers, NGOS….
Challenge - Investors focus on increasing productivity & income as success metrics.
Challenge - Investors do not differentiate between agribusinesses that are agroecological or not.
Opportunity - Innovative Service Providers are funding many businesses under $200,000.
Opportunity - Innovative Service Providers that are successful work with multiple partners.
3. Innovator Gap
Lack of finance between $5,000 - $200,000
80% of AAEs self-finance from personal & group savings, 38% grants, 21% bank loans
Barriers – bank interest rates of 30%, difficult loan requirements, perception of agriculture & food loans as high-risk
Donors launch pilots but do not support the growth stage of businesses
4. Territorial Markets are Key
AAEs provide fresh fruits and vegetables, grains, meat, eggs and milk through territorial markets
Territorial markets are resilient, local and relationship-based
Territorial markets are an underappreciated source of knowledge and expertise
Territorial markets don't differentiate agroecological production and we lack data on their demand
COVID has refocused attention on these "informal" markets where producers and consumers are connecting
5. Agroecologial Entrepreneurship is Multidimensional
Definition
Linkage of sustainable alternatives to industrial production systems and holistic land management
AND
Closer connection between growers and eaters through territorial markets with the participation of farmers & communities in systems of governance, fair share of profits and co-creation of knowledge and benefits.
6. Women and Youth are Central in Agroecological Enterprises
Women and youth have the most to gain from their success and participate strongly
Youth are seizing these opportunities and innovating in markets
More intentionality to bringing in women’s & youth voices critical
Proactive measures - quota-based programming, extra support due to caregiving activities, attention to land tenure issues
7. Unsupportive Policy Environment
Challenges - Organic certification, regulations, business registration, lack of infrastructure
Challenges - Subsidies for industrial fertilizers, high taxes on imported equipment
Challenges - Corporate support and influence over industrial agriculture & export policies
Many policies are linked to historical approaches in colonial period focused on exports and monocropping
Emerging positive policies by governments cited in studies
Thank You to the Funders, Researchers and Participants �
Supporters
In-kind contributions from: