Ronald K. Ssekajja, ADC’s Project Manager for Innovations spoke to AgriDigest to discuss Innovation in Agribusiness. Ssekajja who is a trained technologist is passionate about promoting group business and Agritech innovation. This is an edited transcript of the interview, which covered everything innovation in agribusiness.
Why Agribusiness? How did you end up here?
I ended up here because there is a high demand for innovation within the agricultural value chain to increase productivity. It is important to share the knowledge acquired from the tech and innovation space with different practices and businesses within agriculture. This will ultimately result in increased productivity and profitability for those involved in this particular field.
What are the challenges in Agribusiness as far as innovation is concerned?
The main challenge that we face is adaptability, along with a lack of belief. A large number of people do not believe that things can be done, so changing their mindset is the biggest challenge. Of course, there are also challenges in terms of access to finance, which is why organizations like ours are stepping in to provide these technologies and innovations at a subsidized rate, and sometimes even for free. This way, people can utilize and adopt these technologies, and later on, commercialize them.
We are trying to bridge the gap and ensure that people initially believe in these platforms and technologies. We are also supporting people to access finance by using these different technologies and helping them to adopt them in their production, such as agriculture production, as well as in their business ventures, for those who are involved in agriculture at different levels in the various value chains.
How is the innovation spectrum looking, from your eyes of your organisation (ADC) as a leader in Agribusiness?
I think the prospects for agriculture are very promising, but there is a significant amount of slow growth due to differing opinions between people and the government’s view of agriculture. However, it’s worth noting that many young people and smallholder farmers are scaling up and growing in this field. Although there are several challenges, the industry is growing steadily.
What notable innovations has ADC introduced to stimulate Agribusiness?
ADC has introduced many innovative solutions, particularly in the field of learning. We have also launched several initiatives to enhance implementation. To improve learning, e-learning and virtual learning channels. The e-learning platform, SOMA, offers over 10 courses covering topics such as agronomy, financial literacy, and farming as a business. The virtual channels, on the other hand, are more like podcasts and can be accessed by those without internet connectivity. These channels enable young people and farmers to learn new skills and improve their knowledge, which in turn enhances their work practices.
Moreover, ADC has expanded its services to help people access markets and finance, which are significant challenges in the agricultural value chain. One such service is the DFCU Katale, a marketplace that connects users with various input providers. ADC also guides how to handle price risk and contracting aspects for those involved in export and trade. With ADC’s comprehensive catalogue of services, people can access a range of resources to improve their agricultural practices and business operations.
Any words of inspiration to youth aspiring to be successful Agri-prenuers?
As young individuals, it is important to keep an open mind and seek access to available support. We should engage in government and development partner programs, such as Mastercard, that aim to facilitate our involvement in agricultural value chains and other businesses. Through working together, unionizing, forming cooperatives, and embracing innovations and technologies, we can become more productive and profitable in the field of agriculture.
Interviewed by Andrew Ataho (AgriDigest)
