Call for Articles: New Agriculturist - "Agri Enterprise involving Smallholders"

Deadline: 30 Jun 2013

A wonderful opportunity to share your experiences, views and projects on small scale Agri-Enterprises on a globally recognized and widely read journal. Do you have any ideas, problems or solutions you feel can help drive innovation and development in the Agricultural sector ? Then this is for you.

GFAR is seeking many new ways to spread the value of agricultural research and innovation of all kinds and how they are helping to address development challenges. GFAR has established a collaboration with New Agriculturist a widely read and well recognized online journal, to help share your stories about how agricultural knowledge and innovation are helping to address major development challenges and make a real difference in the lives of the poor. Through publication in New Agriculturist we can help you to raise wider awareness of your work and share your knowledge with thousands of readers.

We are particularly interested in stories that show how you are delivering against processes transforming and strengthening agricultural research for development systems as highlighted in the GCARD Roadmap and how your work is helping achieve developmental change in increasing environmental resilience, in benefiting people’s lives and livelihoods or enhancing food and nutrition security, whether by improving foresight and prioritization, improving partnership, enhancing capacities, increasing investments, or by better linking research and innovation into development processes. GFAR is contributing 3 articles in each edition. These articles will be displayed on the front page of New Agriculturist.

The previous editions with the GFAR sections are available here. The topic for the next edition is "Agri Enterprise involving Smallholders"and GFAR is seeking stories and projects from around the world on the theme, whether at local, national, regional or international scale. We welcome your contributed articles, which must be received by the 30 June 2013.

The guidelines for writing up the articles in terms of content are:

Show how people put the GCARD RoadMap principles into practice:
Background – what was the drive behind the new development

Description of how the new development works and how it is changing real livesHurdles and challenges that were overcome

Comments and experiences of ‘developers’ and usersLimitations/constraints/future challenges
Responses from relevant/significant bodies (e.g. partner organizations)

What next in terms of development?
What lessons have been learnt/can be transferred elsewhere?
Article length is 750- 850 words. Please note, longer article will not be considered. 

Please send us articles rather than research type papers as the former are more likely to be selected. All articles received will be submitted to New Agriculturist for their consideration and selection. We invite you to identify and share stories on the topic and help us reach beyond GFAR`s community.

Please send the articles to the following E-mail address: erna.klupacs@fao.orgThe Global Forum on Agricultural Research (GFAR)

The 17th FOODAGRO International Trade Exhibition

The 17th FOODAGRO International Trade Exhibition on Food, Hotel & Kitchen is the largest Trade event held annually in Tanzania, concurrently held with East Africa Trade Exhibition (EAITE).

This is an ideal exhibition for agro-entrepreneurs aiming to launch a food product or showcase a unique service to a larger audience and meet with potential investors in the agricultural sector all over Africa and the world.

The exhibition attracts exhibitors from more than 30 countries and visitors from all over East & Central Africa, thus giving exhibitors an excellent opportunity to explore several countries in one time. Over the past few years, Tanzania has emerged as a major regional trade centre. This is mainly due to a very friendly and business like atmosphere it offers to foreign investors and products. Duties are considerably low and re-exports to neighbouring countries are either very low or exempted. An enticing mix of consumer interaction and industry presence, the show boasts not only the highest attendance per day, but also the highest business dealings per individual. Trade visitors from all over East & Central African countries are being invited directly and in collaboration with several regional trade bodies in Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Uganda, Somalia, Mozambique & Congo.

This year’s show has an exciting line-up of both local and international companies and is an ideal platform for product launches, finding new buyers & distributors, promoting brand names & image, updating existing customers and updating oneself with the latest in the industry. The FOODAGRO AFRICA 2013 is the place to learn more about what’s new on the food, hotel, and kitchen & agriculture scene and present your own products to consumers and potential clients. The experience and comments of exhibitors at previous events indicate substantial gains from unexpected foreign visitors and we strongly feel that a rise in such statistics would ensure business especially for the foreign participants who form almost 80 - 85% of the exhibition.

Are you a daring young agro-entrepreneur with products and services you want the rest of Africa and the world to know about? Looking for international partners? Or a possible kick-starters? This could be the networking opportunity you have been looking for. Exhibition starts from the 6th - 8th June, 2013 in Diamond Jubilee Hall, Dar-Es-Salaam, Tanzania. Time: 10 AM TO 06 PM (Business Visitors Only)

“Where Is My Food Coming From” Agro-Entrepreneurship and Youth Unemployment In Nigeria

Nigeria is home to the largest African population on the continent, with a vast majority of its population been classified as young people (0-35) . As youth unemployment rises and an increase in numbers of young people migrating to cities continues, infrastructure is being strained; this is most evident in Lagos (former country’s capital). According to one report, Lagos is the second fastest growing city in Africa and seventh in the world.

Government initiatives and aides cannot meet the demands placed on roads, sanitation, education, health facilities and employment in the urban setting. General agricultural performance within the country is dismal, forcing the youth to leave the fields in search of stable employment in populated cities. This situation is contributing to a generation of youth dysfunction and disorientation (Adeyemi, 2012).

The majority of Nigerian youth are neither interested in farming nor in agricultural professions. The inability to attain an agricultural “revolution” or increase the desire of youth to take up agriculture is created by the continued rural-urban migration that has been taking place over the last few decades. Employment opportunities for youth continue to decline, but expansion of the agricultural sector will bring major improvements.

The Youth Agro Entrepreneurs (YAE) is a social enterprise incubator that aims to rebrand farming as a viable profession for a new generation of farmers by teaching Agricultural practices and business skills required to support the development of a sustainable agricultural enterprise.

In a study conducted by YAE, it was established that youths in Nigeria are eager to secure employment in this sector, but they need to be assured that agriculture can be a better means of earning money. The report explores the current climate of the agricultural industry and why agriculture has become unattractive for young people who are leaving school.

Agricultural training has to be revamped not only to make food available to millions of poor and hungry people, but also to create opportunities for youth to produce cash crops for local and international markets.

There is tremendous deficiency in youth employment engagement initiatives, as well as a crippled agricultural industry. Addressing the deficiencies will be a huge feat. However, with innovative, creative, and meaningful decisions by leaders, advocates, and policy-makers, the nation can begin to provide the necessary training, tools, incentives, and information to motivate the youth to participate in a viable and productive industry—agriculture.

“Where Is My Food Coming From” is a poetry/video fusion by Spoken Word poet, Onimisi “Wordsmith” Ademoh aimed at drawing the attention of the public to an important discussion which would help shape the policies and future of these sector of our emerging economy.


Like on Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/YouthAgroEntrepreneurs
Connect on twitter @youthagroent
youthagroentrepreneurs@live.co.uk
youthagroent@gmail.com

ONIMISI
onimisi.wordsmith@gmail.com
http://www.onimisi.com
onimsiwordsmith@twitter

Written & Performed by Onimisi
Directed & Edited by Benedict Raja Obazele
Sound Engineering by Stephen Ameh Jnr
Photography by Blaize Itodo
Make Up by Grace Eno Egbo-Egbo
Executive Prodcuer & Sponsors : Youth Agro Entrepreneurs.

TIPS FOR BUILDING SUSTAINABLE ENTERPRISES

This article deals with some basic principles and approaches required in building sustainable enterprises. A quick survey of Nigerian youths would show a high push towards entrepreneurship. Varying theories and reasons have been put forward to explain this trend, while it still remains unclear if these push towards building enterprises are as a result of lack of readily available jobs or an innate character of the average Nigerian youth, the need to create sustainable enterprises cannot be over emphasized in lieu of the current global economic conditions. 

A Youth Agro-entrepreneur must incorporate the model of sustainability into their personal life – thoughts, beliefs and motivation for it to be successfully reflected in their enterprise. 

Below are some basic bullet points from a lecture with a sustainable farming expert Father Godfrey Nzamujo attended by members of the Youth Agro Entrepreneurs at the Songhai Farm Porto Novo site, Benin Republic.

• An enterprise is all about “People who make things happen” – people who are capable of mobilising, inventing and creating.

1. Enterprises are created, grow or die because of people. 
2. An entrepreneur is a person who wants to make money or fame by harnessing the opportunity sets around him/her to satisfy the needs and desires of different social groups.

An enterprise is driven forward by its human resources, the technology it chooses to employ to fulfill the Needs and Desires of its Clients through the Products and Services it offers.

Entrepreneur – Leader – Manager

Who Is An Entrepreneur?

• A person who has a reasonable understanding of his future clients (customers) or their present needs and desires – also their latent needs and desires
• A person who has a reasonable knowledge of how to procure any sets of goods and services corresponding to the needs of a set of a social group.
• He/she has an unyielding drive to bring those goods and services to his clients the fastest way possible
• at the cheapest price possible
• of the best possible quality
• in a sufficient quantity and
• on demand.

A key to building great enterprises lies in the Leader and Manager level personnel as well as a dedicated and happy work force.

Sustainability cannot be imposed on a an enterprise, but instead should be built into the culture of the enterprise from the very on-set.

Young Agro-Entrepreneurs need to strive in attaining Level 5 Manager/Leader qualities to drive and inspire your team.

The concept of level 5 managers/leadership traits are

Level I :

Highly capable individual makes productive contributions through talent, knowledge, skills and good work habits

Level II :

Contributing team manager would typically be able to contribute individual capabilities to the achievement of group objectives and works effectively with others in a group setting.

Level III :

Competent manager organizes people and resources toward the effective and efficient pursuit of predetermined objectives.

Level IV :

Effective leader level traits are those who can catalyze commitment to the project and vigorous pursuit of a clear and compelling vision stimulating higher performance standards.

Level V :

The Executive Leader builds enduring greatness through a paradoxical blend of personal humility and professional will. The Level 5 leaders channel their ego away from themselves and into the larger goal of building a great company. It’s not that level 5 leaders have no ego or self-interest. Indeed, they are incredibly ambitious – but their ambition is first and foremost for the institution, not themselves.

In a nutshell,

Humility + will = Level 5

Level 5 leaders are a study in duality: modest and willful, humble and fearless.

Nigerian Government to Create 700,000 jobs through Agro-Entrepreneurship

The Nigerian Government is set to launch a Youth Agricultural programme that would create 700,000 new jobs in the economy. Mimicking the model of the proposed Youth Agro Entrepreneurs training centres, the Federal government aims to invest in building centres across the federation that would train young farmers on the needed set of skills to start up as entrepreneurs in the agricultural sector.

The Minister for Agriculture, Dr. Adesina confirmed this at a press conference at Akure, Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) ceremony where he stated that commercialization of the farming sector is key to developing a stronger economy. This developments surely highlights the hope of many organization s and individuals interested in agro-business across the nation.

Surveys carried out by our teams in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja amongst 304 young person(s) showed a strong interest in attending and taking part in such trainjng programmes, to learn how to run profitable and sustainable farm enterprises that would match up with the global agricultural standards and help in playing a part in assuring food security for the country and the region.

Click here to read more on the Minister's declarations.

A Beginner's Guide To Moringa : Application and Financial Benefits

Dubbed the miracle plant, moringa has gained a renewed interest globally as a very important crop in the push to end hunger and fight poverty.

There are numerous claims and counterclaims in regards to its published benefits health-wise, but this has not deterred the popularity amongst farmers across the country. The demand for Moringa based products from the leaves, powders, oil extracts and it seeds has provided a relatively easier option of growing economical plants with low initial start up cost.

The process of production before sales to the consumers are relatively easy and can be carried out without the need for specialized equipments. This thus provides the young agro-entreprenuer a viable investment opportunity.

The YAE team have a detailed presentation designed by Rev. Father Godfrey Nzamujo ( Founder and Director General of Songhai Farms)

Moringa presentation (general) from Samuel Ekene

ANIMAL HUSBANDRY TIPS (SNAILS)

This is document is courtesy of Youth Agro Entrepreneur (YAE).

Snail farming is a very lucrative venture that has gained popularity and renewed interests in recent times amongst part time and young farmers who are in need of an alternate , means of income . Amongst the various forms of animal husbandry, it is considered to be relatively easier, less labour intensive and with minimal time consumption. The ability to set up and operate a snail hatchery as a secondary activity is one of the key reasons for its renewed popularity and interest.

In this document, you would be guided through some of the basics of snail farming ( tips, starter points and salient issues every snail farmer should know)

This is not a complete operational procedure, more information can be obtained via search engines ( google, bing etc ) online and directly by engaging consultants.

Brief Overview

Snails are invertebrates, which means they lack a backbone. They belong to a large and highly diverse group of invertebrates known as the Phylum Mollusca (also known more commonly as 'mollusks'). The Phylum Mollusca includes slugs, clams, oysters, mussels, squids, octopuses, and nautiluses, in addition to snails.

Though "Snails" is a term loosely used to describe shelled members of the mollusc phylum, agriculturally we are interested in three main species

1. Achachatina spp 
2. Achatina-achatina spp 
3. Achatina Fullica spp 

Achachatina Spp:

These are the biggest in size and therefore the most preferred for consumption and commercial snail farming. They are less reproductive and need 6 months to start laying eggs. ( note all Snail species are hemaphrodites). They typically lay between 80-100 eggs per year and take 24 days to hatch. Adult sized achachatina can grow to approximately 350- 500 grams.

Achatina-achatina spp:
They are not as big as achaachatina in size but are generally more productive. They lay between 200-400 eggs per year and incubate in 20-22 days. They are sexually active from the 6th month and adults weigh up to 250kg.

Achatina Fullica spp:
These are the most productive specie, but are relatively smaller than the otber two species. They also take 6 months to reach sexually active stage and produce 400 -600 egg, which can be incubated in 15 days. They can grow to 80g in body mass and are mainly used for feeding fish, etc.

FEEDING

Snails are omnivorous. They eat mainly leaves, vegetables and rotten fruits in the wild. For effecient snail rearing, the farmer needs to incorporate natural feeds and compounded feeds to ensure that the snails gain all the required nutrional needs for their different stages of growth. Compunded feeds are available from the markets and large scale snail hatcheries around your chosen area. For farmers who can afford it and can readily find all the needed raw materias, a consultant can be employed to formulate suitable feeds for your snails.

When feeding them please AVOID BITTER tasting vegetables, as this would ruin the taste of your snails and reduce its marketability.

Approximately 30 grammes of food per day is consumed by each snail. Feeding should be done late in the evening (from 5 pm) or at night ( this makes it ideal as a secondary activity). The hatchery needs to be watered and left damp BEFORE feeding. This is required to draw out the snails to consume their feed immediately. Left-over food should be removed from the hatchery to avoid ants and insects invading your hatchery.

SOIL TEST, PREMISES SET-UP & SECURITY

There are a variety of innovative and improvised premises/hatchery used for the rearing of snails to micmic the habitat they are found, in the wild. The decision of what type to use is usually decided by the funds available to the young farmer and also the size of supplies he or she aims to meet. There are a few basic guiding rules. Snails survive best in DAMP, HUMID environments not water logged lands! A common mistake made is to flood the land for rearing snails.

Avoid clay soil, stony land and water logged areas.

Build a shelter for your snails- a roof (thatch, zinc ) mud house or just a plant canopy (Banana trees, Palm Trees are popular choices)

If you must build a house, avoid direct sunlight and cement floors. !

LAND PREPARATION

Mulch soil with banana leaves, and fertilize soil with animal droppings and compost.

Till the soil under the canopy with the compost at 30cm height then irrigate for two weeks.

Till soil again with dry compost matter, preferably avoid animal droppings, as they would generate heat during their decomposition, which is not good for your snails

Create pens on the tilled soil, by using actual barriers like raffia baskets, waterbeds etc. 25 breeders per square metre is the usual size of a snail pen.

Leave for another week, then organize a soil test with a company, consultant or a chemist, confirm the pH leveles of your soil and if possible a heavy metal ion analysis test.

Check for earthworms, bugs, and other form of life and activity. If you are happy with the fertilitynof the soil and your test results

Take down the dates and the results and store away,

Introduce your breeders to their pens.

SECURITY

Building barriers to control the movement of the snails around the premises is not a must. Snails tend to stay around the areas they feed and rest. But the bigger threat are the predators.

Human threat- snail stealing is quite common place so you woukd need a security personel if you are not resident on site.

Rodents, snakes and ants are the biggest threatsyo your snails survival. Particularly the ants.

Clean left over food immediately and set ablaze any ant hills or holes you find. Waste oil from the mechanics also suffice in stopping ant colonies,

Poisoned foods for the rodents at the barriers of the pen

A newer idea, is the use of waterbeds to protect the perimeter of the snail pens.

Do not use insecticides or other organic aerosols near or over the snail hatchery

Meet the YAE team

Fatima Ademoh

The success of this project depends a great deal on the people involved.

Fatima Ademoh
The principal investigator of this project, Fatima Ademoh, is very passionate about Finance and Agriculture which makes this project a wonderful fit for her. Her current research interests include Youth Agro Entrepreneurship and Financial Risk Management. She loves to volunteer, watch series, reading the Financial Times and helping others. She is an avid Manchester United fan and wants to travel the world.

Jelena Zivkovic

Jelena Zivkovic is part of an amazing research team that spans three continents with research interests in inclusion, sustainability and change. Most of her work has been in developing countries helping to make life altering changes to the lives of less privileged youths. Her current research interests are in the youth of Nigeria, with a focus on agri-preneurship. Her team seeks out opportunities to earn while you learn and learn while doing – join the journey.




Yinka Oniyangi is passionate about unemployment and the challenges facing youths of developing countries. She is an avid reader and a big fan of Manchester United. This project provides her with the chance to be part of a team that plans on effecting a big change in the lives of many people.

Yinka Oniyangi

Kabir Onimisi Ademoh is a Life Science graduate from Warwick University, passionate about Social Innovation and Communication.He is involved in a variety of Youth projects mainly Performance Poetry and Digital Art Workshops. His hobbies are Football, Photography and Travelling.

Kabir Onimisi Ademoh

What is Youth Agro Entrepreneurs (YAE)

In 2012, The Rockefeller Foundation identified revitalizing the agricultural sector as one of several key global challenges. This is why the “Farming Now” section of the competition was established with the aim of generating fresh and innovative ideas that would attract and encourage unemployed youth to enter the agricultural sector, thereby infusing youthful energy into this vital sector of the economy.

Youth Agro Entreprenuer (YAE) will seek to rebrand farming as a viable, profitable and honourable profession for a new generation of farmers. YAE will be a social enterprise incubator that will teach youth the agricultural practices and business skills required to support the development of youth-led agricultural enterprises

YAE aspires to become a financially self-sufficient organization which will empower unemployed youth with the knowledge, skills and drive to become consultants and agricultural entrepreneurs.
YAE hopes that this will contribute to alleviating the problems of extreme poverty and high levels of youth unemployment in Nigeria.

YAE research team will visit self-sufficient schools that exist in Africa and South America where they will observe the process and procedure of how hands-on and knowledge-based learning is being practiced and applied. Furthermore, consultants from similar established institutions will be sought to bring expertise and experience to the development of agricultural schools in Nigeria.

YAE has been awarded as grant by The Rockefeller Foundation to finance the development of a strategic plan for the implementation of a youth agriculture entrepreneurship training centre in Nigeria. The YAE team will be conducting research on the feasibility of the training centre and developing partnership with stakeholders, as well as communicating the results of the research to the public.

YAE intends to utilize this opportunity with the utmost discipline and focus in order to boost the stagnant agricultural sector.

For further Information please contact: Fatima O Ademoh (Fatima.ademoh@aun.edu.ng, oyizaf@gmail.com)