By Fatou Dahaba
To support the growth and sustainability of agribusiness in the Gambia, Farm Fresh Gambia kicked off a five-day agribusiness training course for 40 young businesses across the country at Qcity, Bijilo, on Monday, October 7th, 2024.
The training will equip aspiring agropreneurs with the knowledge and skills to thrive in the agricultural sector.
Experts in each domain will train the participants on developing a business plan that will facilitate access to finance and managing, scaling, and growing their businesses.
Modou NS Njie, CEO and founder of Farm Fresh Gambia highlighted the importance of the training, which will boost participants’ skills and allow them to interact with mentors who will coach them on how to grow their businesses and access markets beyond borders.
He said, agribusiness, if taken seriously, will enhance the economy and transform the lives of millions by creating jobs for young people, eliminating poverty, which is a challenge confronting the African region.
“Over the years, various initiatives have been launched to move Africa closer to food self-sufficiency, and many of our farmers have been eager to play their part. However, despite their enthusiasm, they face multiple barriers, such as outdated agricultural practices, limited access to financing, inadequate infrastructure, and a lack of exposure to modern technologies; these challenges are compounded by insufficient technological skills and business to prevent farmers, particularly young ones, from unlocking their full potential.”
He said the training is crucial as it will equip trainees with the right tools and mindset. ” For the next five days, they will work together to address the gaps in agribusiness knowledge and skills. They will also gain valuable insights into business management, technical expertise, and strategies to overcome the barriers that have held back so many farmers for far too long.”
“This training is not only to teach you how to farm or manage a business; it is about empowering you to be leaders in Africa’s agricultural transformation; it is about giving you the tools to not only create jobs for yourselves but to become creators for other contributing to the economic stability of you communities and country at large.”
Mrs. Fatou Saine Gaye, Founder And CEO of Gaye Nyoro Skill Center, said entrepreneurship in agribusiness is of great value as value addition in agriculture is the solution for farming.
She advised the young entrepreneurs to be creative, go the extra mile, and do something different from what others are not doing if they want to excel, as competition is very high among themselves.
‘When you’re trained as an entrepreneur, you learn the competencies of the behaviors of competent entrepreneurs and behaviors you have gone to a certain level to take risk but a calculated risk and minimum risk possible.’
Madam Saine Gaye implored trainees to create needed jobs and a demand-driven market that would give people what they need by positively influencing and enticing them.
Additionally, she encouraged them to pay taxes if they wanted to contribute to the country’s socioeconomic development.
Saul Frazer, CEO of Global Properties LTD, commended Farm Fresh Gambia for developing an initiative to train young agribusiness entrepreneurs. The initiative aims to empower participants with the necessary tools and skills to take their businesses to the next level.
He said three things are required to be a successful entrepreneur: hard work, passion, and never giving up. Entrepreneurs must also be creative in turning their ideas into businesses that solve problems.’
‘We need to invest in creating a sustainable agricultural sector; this will lead to a sustainable future; we need to create more initiatives to create youth involvement in agricultural business and highlight the potential successes. We must give special attention to those currently in the field and assist in strengthening their businesses.’
Abdou Baye, Head Of Business-Retail And Credit Department APS Finance, said agribusiness has the potential to feed the country and transform the economy.
He said that APS’s access to finance is crucial to unlocking the potential to innovate, expand, and navigate the challenges that come with changes in market conditions. APS’s role is to create an enabling environment for entrepreneurs by providing flexible and Shariah-compliant financing products and services.
Agribusiness is vital in shaping the agricultural landscape by driving innovation, fostering growth, and ensuring sustainability. As the global population rises, the demand for food and farming products increases exponentially.
