Names: Dr. Mary Akinyi Orinda
Affiliations: Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology
Entrepreneurship in Agribusiness
Projects
Project Summary:
This programme is designed for aspiring entrepreneurs in the African agri-business sector and provides the key steps for getting a business off the ground. Participants learn how to understand market demand, develop prototype products or services, develop a business model, and raise funding. It is offered through universities, accelerators, incubators, colleges, and enterprise development organisations that want to support entrepreneurs in their network. Currently, the following universities are participating: Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST), Laikipia University of Kenya, Bishop Stuart University, Gulu University, Makerere University Business School, Uganda Christian University all of Uganda, IGAD Sheikh Technical University of Science of Somalia, Université Officielle de Bukavu of Democratic Republic of Congo and University of Namibia.
Methodologies:
4–6-month blended programme which Includes:
- A series of in-person Learning Lab workshops
- Access to online platform with courses and practical tools
- Practical project and final business plan pitch session
Outcomes: Viable ideas with respective business plans
Principal Investigator(s)
Funding Source
Agripreneurship Alliance https://www.theagripreneur.org/
The Agripreneurship Alliance is a Swiss based non-profit organisation that has developed a ground-breaking course that enables young African entrepreneurs within the agri-food sector to develop or enhance their business ideas and create a high-quality business plan to support the launch or growth of their agri-business. It also acts as an advocate and thought leader for the African entrepreneurial sector and undertakes research for select clients including the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation.
Key Activities and Milestone
- 3 trainings of Trainer of Trainees: 2 online while 1 physical at Mbarara Uganda.
- Three cohorts of 20-25 students trained so far.
- 12 Business plans developed by groups of 3-5 students.
- 3 business ideas funded to a tune of $3000.
- Hosted the President of the Organization Ms Anne Roulin in 2021 and Project Manager in 2023 at JOOUST.
- Have participated jointly in proposal development in 2023 for sustainability of the programme.
- One of the trainees was selected to participate in the UN Food Security Summit Side event: Youth and Food Security in 2022.
Impact and Relevance
The programme aims to promote and stimulate youth driven entrepreneurship in agriculture and agribusiness.
- It inspires young entrepreneurs to establish viable agricultural based businesses thus supporting the development of the wider rural community eco-system.
- It encourages new and novel approaches in locally based food systems that consider local opportunities and the challenges of climate change, conflict and malnutrition.
- It contributes to local and global food security.
- It provides avenues for employment opportunities in the agricultural sector for the youth.
