Agriculture

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 Nora Brown, 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.