Agriculture makes up a large portion of the economy in many developing countries and the business of food production is crucial to national development. Strong management along the value chain coupled with improved knowledge of markets and trade has the power to increase productivity and profitability in the agriculture sector. Business Schools can play an important role in fostering entrepreneurship in the agriculture sector while providing a platform for innovation through the identification of potential markets, carrying out feasibility studies, and developing strong business plans.
GBSN has been working in the area of Agribusiness through a number of initiatives. During the 4th annual meeting in June 2009, GBSN facilitated an agribusiness workshop focusing on the role of business schools in the sector. The workshop was supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Based on some background research and the discussions held at the workshop, GBSN completed a report on Agribusiness in Africa. This report looks at some of the current programs in African higher education, highlighting those activities in business schools where applicable, and outlines recommended interventions to improve the current approach in promoting agribusiness. For more information on this report, please contact
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, COO.
Additionally, GBSN is currently working on the development of two future programs. The first is aimed at the creation of a consortium of African business schools focused on developing and strengthening programs in Agribusiness. Such a consortium would pool resources and share entry risk into the market while creating a new, innovative way of strengthening human capital for the sector. The second is aimed at the development of a new pilot program for agribusiness entrepreneurs and business owners, farmers organizations, NGO leaders in the field, and policymakers.
In many parts of the world, the most formidable development obstacle we face today is the poor performance of the private sector and the need for greater focus on growth-oriented interventions. Weak capacity across the board is consistently cited as a major stumbling block and a large portion of the private sector continues to face numerous obstacles due to poor management and technical capacity, and a shortage of skilled managerial candidates. Business schools are the primary suppliers of management and leadership talent. With improved business education, graduates are better suited to develop and grow local businesses, leading to a more vibrant private sector and improved economic performance.
Recognizing the great potential for entrepreneurship to contribute economic growth in developing countries, GBSN supports the development of entrepreneurship training programs globally. GSBN assisted Pan African University in Nigeria with the establishment of a short term training program for small and medium enterprises that is now serving as a model for Goldman Sachs' 10,000 Women initiative.
Health indicators such as life expectancy, malnutrition, child mortality and HIV/AIDS infection rates have worsened over the last decade. Ineffective management of health workers and resources is a significant contributor to declining health outcomes. Forging a partnership between top local business schools and local health organizations (public, private and nonprofit) is an innovative approach to addressing to these problems.
Business Schools are an ideal venue for training managers and leaders strong in critical thinking and problem solving skills. In a sector as complex as health, such skills are crucial to creating efficient, effective systems for service delivery.
Despite a growing African tourism industry, which increased by over 8% per annum from 2000-05, many African countries have been unable to harness this economic opportunity due, in large part, to weak capacity and poor business skills. According to a recent market survey conducted by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) on tourism training in Africa, tourism and hospitality enterprises have little access to local tourism management training, and as a result, face obstacles such as the inability to form franchises or market internationally.
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