Flagship summit for African agriculture, the African Green Revolution Forum (AGRF) is set to take over the handling of AgriHack Talent Project, as its organisers prepare to close at the end of the year.
Originally organised by the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA), AgriHack equips African entrepreneurs in digital agriculture with opportunities to secure support and investment.
The virtual handover, tagged; “Building Alliances to Scale-up Youth Digital Agtech Entrepreneurship in Africa”, took place on Tuesday.
Managing Director of ARGF, Dr Adebisi Araba noted that the body would ensure a seamless transition, taking into consideration the need for a more digitalised economy as well as the benefits it provides for the African food systems.
“Over the years, Pitch AgriHack has helped uncover, build the capacity and channel investment into some of the game-changing, youth-led innovations emerging in agriculture across Africa.
“I’m delighted that the AGRF can continue what CTA started, and encourage not only greater innovation but also more opportunities to scale up digitalisation across the continent with all the benefits this brings for food, nutrition and economic security,” he stated.
Launched in 2014, AgriHack seeks to address the roadblocks encountered by young e-agriculture start-ups, including the lack of capacity building opportunities for their businesses and financial management issues, which is needed to develop the sustainable business models required for scaling up.
It has also collaborated with key institutions including the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA).
Findings by AgroNigeria also reveal that about 700 young entrepreneurs have taken part in Pitch AgriHack and around 26 ICT institutions from 20 countries have been involved, as of 2018.
On his part, a Director at CTA, Dr. Ibrahim Khadar stated that the handover was timely, adding that he remains positive about the outcome of the new leadership.
He said, “As the pre-eminent forum for African agriculture and an ongoing supporter of the competition, the AGRF is the ideal venue for AgriHack.
“I look forward to seeing how the initiative evolves under new leadership to continue to support youth, foster African innovation and expand digitalisation in agriculture”.
SOURCE: AGRONIGERIA
