A major initiative to support rural entrepreneurship in agriculture has been launched by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the Sustainable Agriculture Foundation International Association (SAFIA), and Corteva Agriscience. The newly established Global Agri-Entrepreneurship Academy (GAEA) aims to equip 500,000 rural entrepreneurs with the necessary skills, mentorship, and market connections to serve 100 million smallholder farmers across Asia, Africa, and Latin America over the next decade.
The initiative recognizes the significant challenges faced by smallholder farmers, including limited access to quality inputs, technology, and modern agricultural practices. GAEA seeks to bridge these gaps by empowering rural entrepreneurs who can provide farmers with essential services. However, many aspiring agri-entrepreneurs struggle with low managerial capacity and lack access to financial services, technology, and knowledge. By addressing these issues, GAEA aims to create a robust network of well-trained service providers who can contribute to sustainable agricultural development.
Addressing Challenges in Smallholder Farming
Smallholder farmers form the backbone of agriculture in many developing regions, yet they often lack the resources to enhance productivity and improve their livelihoods. One of the most pressing issues they face is the availability of quality agricultural inputs and services at the local level. Many farmers operate in remote areas with limited access to high-quality seeds, fertilizers, and advisory services. This is where rural entrepreneurs can play a transformative role by bridging the gap between agricultural advancements and farmers in need.
Simon Winter, Executive Director of SAFIA, emphasized the importance of rural entrepreneurship in strengthening village economies. “We have already helped over 23,000 rural entrepreneurs create jobs, improve living standards, and enhance farmers’ access to essential resources. Through GAEA, we want to extend this impact on a much larger scale by making our tools, methods, and experience available to others,” Winter said.
Expansion Across Multiple Countries
Global Agri-Entrepreneurship Academy has already identified initial partners in Bhutan, Cambodia, India, Tanzania, and Côte d’Ivoire to pilot its first projects. During the launch event, several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed to formalize these collaborations. The academy plans to work closely with local institutions, governments, and private sector stakeholders to tailor its training programs to regional needs.
Following the launch, a panel discussion was held to explore how agri-entrepreneurship can positively impact smallholder farmers. Experts from different sectors shared insights on the challenges and opportunities in promoting entrepreneurship as a means to boost agricultural productivity and rural economies.
Leveraging Existing Knowledge and Networks
IFC’s Senior Operations Officer, Alan Johnson, highlighted the academy’s approach to knowledge-sharing stating, “GAEA supports our partners and clients in implementing programs effectively without re-inventing the wheel and by making good use of Global Agri-Entrepreneurship Academy’s repository of proven knowledge and resources in agri-entrepreneurship. We want to leverage existing expertise and agri-entrepreneur networks to create impact at scale.” By leveraging existing expertise and networks, the academy aims to accelerate the growth of rural enterprises and enhance their long-term sustainability.
The collaboration between IFC, SAFIA, and Corteva Agriscience reflects a shared commitment to building a strong foundation for rural entrepreneurs. At the launch event, the three founding organizations signed an MoU reaffirming their dedication to standardizing approaches to agri-entrepreneurship development and sharing valuable lessons for long-term growth.
Empowering Entrepreneurs with Essential Skills
Anuja Kadian, Director of Government & Industry Affairs (Asia Pacific) at Corteva Agriscience, underscored the importance of equipping rural entrepreneurs with the right skills and financial knowledge. Anuja Kadian expressed, “With the right training and mentorship, they can become dependable, profit-driven service providers who strengthen agri-value chains and deliver comprehensive solutions to smallholder farmers. This helps in creating an ecosystem of agri-entrepreneurs, we can bridge the gap between innovation and last-mile delivery, ensuring farmers have access to high-quality inputs, modern techniques and sustainable practices. This, in turn, drives productivity, resilience and long-term growth in rural economies.
By creating an ecosystem of trained agri-entrepreneurs, the initiative seeks to enhance last-mile delivery of agricultural solutions. This means smallholder farmers will have improved access to high-quality inputs, modern techniques, and sustainable farming practices, ultimately leading to higher productivity and economic stability in rural areas.
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GAEA’s Role in Long-Term Agricultural Development
The Global Agri-Entrepreneurship Academy is registered as a non-profit foundation in Switzerland and is committed to fostering sustainable agricultural development. SAFIA, one of the key partners in the initiative, has a long history of working with smallholder farmers. Formerly known as the Syngenta Foundation for Sustainable Agriculture (SFSA), SAFIA has spent four decades supporting agricultural initiatives across 22 countries. With the closure of SFSA in 2024, SAFIA was established to continue and expand upon this legacy. The foundation focuses on research, climate change adaptation, market access, and policy support to enhance smallholder agriculture.
IFC, as a member of the World Bank Group, plays a crucial role in promoting private sector development in emerging economies. It achieves this by investing in companies, mobilizing capital from investors, and providing advisory services to businesses and governments. Through GAEA, IFC aims to leverage the private sector’s potential to support smallholder farmers and improve their livelihoods.
The GAEA initiative is also supported by the Government of Japan, which has provided financial backing to help implement its programs effectively. Over the next ten years, the Global Agri-Entrepreneurship Academy aims to make a meaningful impact on rural economies by developing a strong network of agri-entrepreneurs. By equipping them with the necessary skills, market connections, and financial knowledge, the initiative hopes to create lasting improvements in agricultural productivity and economic opportunities for smallholder farmers.
As the Global Agri-Entrepreneurship Academy expands its reach, it will continue to adapt its strategies based on regional needs and emerging challenges. The success of the initiative will depend not only on its training programs but also on strong collaborations between governments, private enterprises, and rural communities. With sustained efforts, GAEA has the potential to significantly strengthen agricultural ecosystems and support millions of farmers worldwide.
