In the agribusiness sector, working with agricultural cooperatives through contract farming and enhancing seed quality through research partnerships are critical strategies for companies looking to stabilize supply chains, improve crop quality, and ensure sustainable growth. By combining contract farming with collaboration with public or private agricultural research institutes, agribusiness firms can effectively address challenges in sourcing, quality control, and crop resilience.

In recent years, fraudulent schemes targeting fresh fruit exporters have intensified, particularly those using Payment Against Documents (PAD) with air cargo shipments. Understanding these schemes and implementing preventative strategies can help protect your business from significant losses.

The booming demand for dried cassava chips in China, driven by the country’s growing needs for bio-ethanol production, food products, and animal feed, presents a golden opportunity for African cassava producers. Each manufacturer in China is willing to order between 50,000 to 100,000 metric tons (MT) of dried cassava chips per month, with contracts stretching between 3 to 5 years. However, several critical challenges have hindered African exporters from fully capitalizing on this opportunity.

Cambodia currently ranks 10th among the world's largest rice producers, both for domestic consumption and export, according to the Cambodia Rice Federation. Much of this success can be attributed to the visionary leadership of former Prime Minister Samdech Hun Sen, whose strategic policies have transformed the country's rice sector. As African nations grapple with the challenge of achieving rice self-sufficiency and reducing dependency on imports, there are valuable lessons to be gleaned from Cambodia's success.

In recent years, shea butter has emerged as a golden opportunity for small producers and agricultural cooperatives in West Africa. As global demand for this natural treasure continues to soar, local communities have a unique chance to thrive in the international market. This article outlines key strategies and recommendations for West African shea butter producers to capitalize on this growing trend while promoting sustainable development, illustrated with real-world success stories.

White sesame seeds have become a highly sought-after commodity in the international market, particularly in South Korea, China, Japan, and India. This growing demand presents a significant opportunity for West African farmers. However, many small-scale producers in the region remain unaware of this export potential and often rely on local middlemen for the sale of their sesame seeds, thus missing out on the benefits of direct market access.

The Sahel, a semi-arid region bordering the Sahara Desert, spans across countries such as Mauritania, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Chad. Despite challenging environmental realities—desertification, drought, and poverty—the Sahel holds untapped wealth: its agricultural potential. This potential lies not only in ensuring local food security but also in cultivating a diverse range of crops for export.

Success is not final; failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” This famous quote by Winston Churchill applies to many fields, especially agribusiness. Agribusiness is a complex and dynamic sector involving many actors, processes, and risks. Small farmers and agribusinesses often face challenges such as climate change, market volatility, competition, and regulation. However, they also have opportunities to improve their livelihoods, food security, and environmental sustainability.

In the dynamic world of agribusiness, securing funding for new projects or scaling operations is a critical step towards success. This guide is designed to assist emerging agripreneurs, flourishing agribusinesses and agricultural exporters in understanding and navigating the complex funding landscape. It provides practical steps for applying for project proposals and scaling operations, supplemented with a case study to illustrate these processes in action.

By joining forces, smallholder farmers unlock a treasure chest of benefits that empower them and transform their agricultural practices. Let's delve deeper and see how cooperatives are creating success stories across Africa.

In the dynamic landscape of agriculture, young agripreneurs and young cooperatives face multifaceted challenges on their journey toward success. However, delving into Sun Tzu's timeless masterpiece, "The Art of War," unveils strategic insights that can guide these ventures to navigate the complex terrain of starting and sustaining agricultural enterprises or cooperatives with resilience and foresight.

Sorghum, one of the world’s most drought-resistant crops, holds untapped potential for farmers' cooperatives and agribusiness firms in developing countries. With its resilience in the face of climate change and its wide range of applications across various industries, sorghum is increasingly becoming a valuable export commodity. This crop, particularly white and red sorghum grains, is finding its way into global markets, from the food and beverage sectors to the rapidly growing cosmetic industry.

West Africa is a region with a deep-rooted agricultural tradition, yet its contribution to the global coffee market remains relatively small. However, this doesn't reflect the region's potential. By turning its focus to coffee cultivation, particularly in areas suited for both Robusta and Arabica varieties, West African farmers and agricultural cooperatives can tap into lucrative export markets, enhance their economic resilience, and uplift entire communities. The global demand for coffee is growing, and West Africa could rise as a key player in this industry.