Private sector, women and youth play role in scaling agriculture

LAGOS, NIGERIA — Scaling up agriculture in developing countries is important for growth.

Scaling up means expanding, replicating, adapting and sustaining successful policies, programs, or projects to reach a greater number of people, according to the International Food Policy Research Institute.

Ndidi Nwuneli, co-founder of Sahel Consulting: Agriculture & Nutrition Ltd., discussed the role of women and youth in scaling at the Global Agriculture Innovation Forum hosted by Purdue University.

“I believe the private sector is critical to scaling and innovation in agriculture and enabling us to address all the huge bottlenecks,” she said. “When we think about the private sector, we often think about the medium or large businesses.

“I believe the private sector starts with our farmers, micro and small enterprises, and then medium and large businesses. They each have a critical role to play in scaling.”

Farmers play a critical role in the adoption of new technology, improved seeds and implementation of new production and harvesting practices.

Adoption and scaling must be simple and low-cost, Nwuneli said.

“Key issues that we have to worry about include ensuring that we do not leave the most vulnerable behind, especially when we work with farmers,” she said. “To address equity issues and work with female farmers, but also inclusivity issues for indigenous populations in rural areas.”

Nwuneli also stressed the importance of governance, accountability and transparency in private sector investments.

Women and youth are visible players in Africa.

“Our future hinges on our ability to ensure equity,” Nwuneli said. “Women and youth are visible and critical players in Africa, with 70% of our population under age 35.

“If we do not engage our youth, we’re missing out on a huge asset because they are early adopters of innovation and technology, as entrepreneurs and employees in our ag and food sector. However, they face critical challenges that we have to address.”

Challenges include:

• Bias and discrimination.
• Access to assets, financing and markets.
• Access to training and support.
• Agency and voice — opportunities to shape policy at the local, state, federal and regional levels.
• A commitment from the private and public sector to actively track progress, investment in data and mechanisms to ensure equity.

Learn more about scaling in agriculture at www.ag.purdue.edu/globalaginnovationforum/.