Agricultural entrepreneurship is crucial for Bangladesh to stimulate its economy, generate employment opportunities, enhance food security, and augment the value of raw agricultural produce through advanced processing and innovative practices. The agricultural sector is the predominant employer and serves as the primary source of sustenance and income for many individuals entrenched in poverty. The advancement of agro-industries and the emergence of agri-entrepreneurs profoundly influence the local agricultural landscape and the livelihoods of smallholder farmers.
Today's agriculture is expanding beyond traditional farming to technology-driven advanced practices. However, the contribution of agriculture to the national GDP has progressively diminished with industrialisation, despite serving as a major employer, engaging over 40 per cent of the total workforce. Agricultural entrepreneurs, in this context, could assume a crucial role in transforming the mindset of farmers from subsistence farming to value-added, processing-based commercial enterprises.
The comprehensive agricultural framework, encompassing cultivation, processing, storage, value addition, and marketing - extending from farm to fork - has given rise to a novel enterprise known as agri-entrepreneurs or Agripreneurs.
Concurrently, businesses that leverage advanced technology to support farmers have emerged, referred to as Farmapreneurs. A new wave of entrepreneurs, many without a formal agriculture background, are leveraging modern technologies to connect Farmapreneurs with markets, provide quality inputs, improve supply chains, and introduce forward-looking farming techniques. There is a concerted effort by the government and various organisations to empower rural youth and women to become agri-entrepreneurs through comprehensive training, financial assistance, timely provision of quality inputs, and assurance of market access for their products.
A few days ago, the Department of Agricultural Marketing (DAM) orchestrated an agri-entrepreneurs' conference, where growing startups and innovative agro-based entrepreneurs gathered to showcase their processed products with remarkable enthusiasm and high expectations. This assembly underscores the extensive potential and capability to thrive and diversify the present agricultural landscape. As the dynamics of our agricultural systems continually shift in response to consumer preferences and the demands of industrial stakeholders, it is imperative that this momentum persists seamlessly, underpinned by robust support from governmental bodies and international organisations.
Md. Refatul Hossain
Additional director (retd)
Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE)
Faridpur region.
