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Lesson 3 - Entrep

This document outlines a lesson on entrepreneurship in agriculture, emphasizing the role of farmers as entrepreneurs or 'agripreneurs.' It discusses the importance of adapting to market demands, developing entrepreneurial skills, and the need for small-scale farmers to innovate and manage their businesses sustainably. The lesson also highlights the complex environment in which farmer-entrepreneurs operate and encourages students to reflect on their understanding and the significance of agripreneurs in the economy.

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Nova Babaylo
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6 views

Lesson 3 - Entrep

This document outlines a lesson on entrepreneurship in agriculture, emphasizing the role of farmers as entrepreneurs or 'agripreneurs.' It discusses the importance of adapting to market demands, developing entrepreneurial skills, and the need for small-scale farmers to innovate and manage their businesses sustainably. The lesson also highlights the complex environment in which farmer-entrepreneurs operate and encourages students to reflect on their understanding and the significance of agripreneurs in the economy.

Uploaded by

Nova Babaylo
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Entrepreneurship in

Agriculture

LEARNING OUTCOMES:
At the end of this lesson, the students will be able
to do the following:

Elucidate entrepreneurship in the context of agriculture or farming

Discuss the role of farmers as entrepreneurs; and;

Explain the essence of entrepreneurs in the entrepreneurial environment in


agriculture.

INTRODUCTION:

Welcome to lesson 3 of Module 1! A lot is being said these days about farmers becoming
‘entrepreneurs’ or agripreneurs. In this lesson, you will learn what an entrepreneurship is in the context of
agriculture. The purpose of this lesson is to provide a better understanding of the concept and practice of
entrepreneurship. With this understanding, it is hoped that you will be better able to develop the skills and spirit
of an agricultural entrepreneur. Have fun!

ACTIVITY: Identifying Agripreneurs

This activity will test you prior knowledge on agripreneurship. Think of a crop producing farmer (any
crop be it cereals, grains, fruits or vegetables) who also sells their products to the buyers. Place your answers
on the blank spaces provided.

1. Describe the type of farm that they cultivate.


_______________________________________________

2. Describe the type of business they operate.


_______________________________________________

3. Who are the buyers of their produce?


_______________________________________________

4. How are they different from the typical farmer?


_______________________________________________
ANALYSIS: ANALYSIS:

What are the main


differences of an
agripreneur and a
typical farmer?

ABSTRACTION:

Entrepreneurship in Farming
Entrepreneurship, value chains and market linkages are terms that are being used more and more
when talking about agriculture and farming. Many small-scale farmers and extension organisations understand
that there is little future for farmers unless they become more entrepreneurial in the way they run their
farms. They must increasingly produce for markets and for profits. Becoming more entrepreneurial can be a
challenge for small-scale farmers. They will need help from extension workers and other institutions.

Farmers as Entrepreneurs

Farmer-entrepreneur is also called an agripreneur. Agripreneur defined as entrepreneur whose main


business is agriculture or agriculture-related. They are generally, sustainable, community-oriented and directly-
marketed agriculture. Sustainable agriculture denotes a holistic, systems oriented approach to farming that
focuses on the interrelationships of social, economic, and environmental processes.

Can small-scale farmers become entrepreneurs? Yes. Small-scale farmers all over the world have
shown a remarkable ability to adapt. They look for better ways to organise their farms. They try new crops and
cultivars, better animals, and alternative technologies to increase productivity, diversify production, and reduce
risk – and to increase profits. They have become more market oriented and have learned to take calculated
risks to open or create new markets for their products. Many small-scale farmers have many of the qualities of
an entrepreneur.

For small-scale farmers to become entrepreneurs they need all of these qualities and more. They need
to be innovative and forward-looking. They need to manage their businesses as long-term ventures with a
view to making them sustainable. They need to be able to identify opportunities and seize them.

Some small-scale farmers do have these qualities, but they still focus on maintaining their
traditional way of life. Their production decisions are based on what they need -- not on what is possible.
The farmer-entrepreneur produces a clear picture in his mind of what is possible and the future he
wants. He knows that what is possible is determined by the market. The farmer-entrepreneur is always
looking for new opportunities. He knows that new opportunities are found in the market. The farmer-
entrepreneur wants to make profits. He knows that profits are made in the market. An entrepreneurial farmer
has the initiative, drive, capacity and ability to take advantage of opportunities.

The Entrepreneurial Environment

Being an entrepreneur is a way of life and a way of looking at the world. Entrepreneurs enjoy
independence and freedom. They decide for themselves what to do and when to do it. Entrepreneurs also face
risks, work under pressure and are immediately accountable for the outcomes – good or bad – of their
decisions.

While farmer-entrepreneurs are free and independent, they do not work alone. They operate in a
complex and dynamic environment. They are part of a larger collection of people including other farmers,
suppliers, traders, transporters and processors, each of whom has a role to play in the value chain

Figure 3.0. The world of the farmer-entrepreneur.

For farmers to cope with the risks they will face in the complex world in which they compete, they
need to develop an entrepreneurial spirit. A farmer with an entrepreneurial spirit energetically,
enthusiastically and carefully makes many different decisions about his farm in the context of the value
chain that influences the profits of the farm business. This is all happening in a dynamic, ever-changing
and uncertain setting. To make sure their farm businesses develop and adapt in response to these changes,
farmer entrepreneurs need to:

 Stay focused on their purpose;


 Do their best to turn every event to their advantage;
 Seize every opportunity and make the best of it;
 Make the whole system work in their favour.
 This is living in the spirit of entrepreneurship.
APPLICATION: Let’s do it!

Let's see what you know about the lesson by answering the following questions:

1. Discuss major highlights and understanding you have gained from


this lesson.

2. Present your own view and beliefs about the importance of


Agripreneurs in uplifting the economy of the country. You need to
decide as to what appropriate drawing or graphic that will best
illustrate your views and beliefs Farming in Agriculture. Then, write a
one-line catchy statement to capture the whole idea.

Outstanding! You have just finished learning


entrepreneurship in agriculture which is the last
lesson of module 1. The knowledge that you
acquired in this lesson will serve as foundation for
future courses. Now onward to the next module!

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