1. SACOMA Global Foods Innovation and Training LTD
Perez Ochieng
SACOMA Global Foods Innovation and Training LTD

2. THE FUTURE OF AGRICULTURE IN AFRICA
PEI Spotlight Seminar/conference
15th March 2017
@ The Library, Royal Society of Chemistry,
Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1J 0BA

3. ‘Foreword’
The continent of Africa has enormous potential, not only to feed itself, eliminate hunger and food insecurity, but also to be a major player in global food market. This potential lies in its land , water, men, women, knowledge and huge markets. Recognizing this opportunity, the African Union chose 10 years ago to make agriculture one of the pillars of the New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD).

4. About SACOMA GLOBAL LTD
SACOMA GLOBAL FOODS INNOVATION has taken advantage of the market opportunities through various interventions including 1) Food Innovation and Food Products Design technologies and packaging. Provides and facilitates training on EU Food Standards and Knowledge Transfer Partnerships for building technical capabilities to add value, process, brand, package and niche- market the premium sweet potato products’ access to European/Global markets, targeting health-conscious consumers for packaged food that is tasty, healthy and convenient to prepare based on palatability and preference 2) Modern warehousing to extend shelf life of fresh sweet potato roots and assure sustainable supply. 3) Mobilizing farmers into producer groups (or cooperatives), Training them on harvesting methods, good agriculture practices and food heath standards to ensure famers are integrated in the supply chain, guaranteed fair price and increased incomes and welfare.

5. How can Africa capitalize on the opportunities?
The continent is bursting with potential
At 200 million hectares, sub-Saharan Africa is home to nearly half of the world’s uncultivated land that can be brought into agricultural production.
Africa uses only 2% of its renewable water resources compared to 5% globally.
Together with abundant resources, including a resourceful, enterprising youth population, strategic investments in agriculture can unleash virtuous growth cycles

6. The needs:
African farmers need new technology—higher-yielding, more resilient food crops that deliver bountiful harvests. New techniques are beginning to boost yields in rice and cocoa, among other crops.
African farmers need more electricity, more irrigation, and better infrastructure that links them to lucrative regional food markets.
Africa need sound policies that do not discriminate against the farm sector.  Women produce the bulk of food in Africa, and yet they are largely locked out of land ownership, access to credit, and productive farm inputs such as fertilizers, pesticides, and farming tools. Further, they are often bypassed by extension services, limiting their productivity.

7. CAADP
The Comprehensive African Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP) seeks to drive our continental agricultural revolution, by increasing investment in agriculture, fostering entrepreneurship and investment in agribusinesses and agri-food value chains, improving national and regional agricultural markets, fostering Africa’s collective food security and improving the management of natural resources.

8. Harnessing the power of sweet potatoes (from Kenya)
COUNTY SWEET POTATO PRODUCTION PROJECTION FROM 2016 TO 2020
YEAR
TARGET HA
EXPECTED PRDUCTION (TONS)
2016
766
8,426
2017
775
8,680
2018
800
9,200
2019
825
9,900
2020
850
10,200
COUNTY SWEET POTATO PRODUCTION TRENDS FROM 2010 TO 2015
YEAR
ACHIEVED HA
PRDUCTION IN TONS
INCOME GENERATED KSH
2010
332
3,984
23,541,800
2011
381
4,150
26,409,000
2012
326
3,446
25,061,800
2013
431
4,525
32,909,000
2014
734
7,927
61,254,000
2015
750
8,175
66,886,300
2700 Farmers

9. Partnerships and stakeholder relationship
Public sector and governments & Policymakers
Private sector, Processors, Packers
Distribution and Logistics and Branding
Researchers and continues R&D
KTP with universities (UK/EU)
Regional institutions and technical institutions
Fair prices, economic wellbeing, training/building capacity and integrating farmers in the supply chain.
Good Agriculture Practises (Global GAP), HACCP
Warehouse systems, SPS, food standards, H$S

10. Challenges
SPS (Sanitary and phytosanitary )measures ; WTO trade agreement on  food safety and animal and plant health (and budgets)
Commercial Farming and Investor relations
Commercial Farming v. small-holder farming.
Skills and technology to manage Agriculture Programmes (old University Courses)
International Donors (impact on entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation)
Limited supply of Energy/electricity for large scale competitive manufacturing including a focus on climate-smart agriculture for accelerated agricultural transformation

11. shared prosperity
Improved goods transport infrastructure: SGR (standard Gauge Railway (Kenya through Uganda Rwanda, Southern Sudan)
Boosting intra-Africa trade and investments, rapid industrialization and economic diversification, sustainable resource and environmental management, creating jobs, human security and shared prosperity. Effort to boost investments and productivity, intra-African trade and regional agri-food value chains, ECOWAS, SADC, ECCAS and EAC have put in place regional agricultural policies
Global trade negotiations, EPAs with the EU, focus on the African priorities

12. Develop sustainable business model and proof of concept
The adoption of innovation required to increase productivity cannot be simply decreed.
Innovation meets the needs of producers
Family farming is best placed to optimise labour use and to enable greater land use
Harnessing the Entrepreneurial potential: the public authorities have become accustomed to seeking external assistance at the expense of making more significant national budget contributions to finance capabilities the agricultural sector.

13. PR strategy Media and inspiration
Niche marketing, branding, Geographical Indication (GI), Gluten Free, high profile endorsements
Emphasis to farming as a business, a profitable venture, raise the profile of the farming profession;
Promote change and transformation in agriculture (catalyst for change)
Mobilisation of resources, including HR, and development of farmer groups/cooperatives and productive units that have the greatest development potential.

14. Influencing governments for resource allocation on post-harvest Technologies
Sweet potato is a widely grown root crop in Kenya and other parts of Sub-Saharan Africa as a source of energy, anti- oxidant and Vitamins. In spite of its increasing importance as food and commercial crop, sweet potato faces high post- harvest losses during transportation and storage, poor harvesting methods, handling, and packaging. There is no warehousing technologies to improve shelf life of harvested roots and increase opportunities for Bulk Trading. Limited skills, Knowledge and innovative food technologies for food products design to expand utilization of sweet potatoes into premium food products.

15. Engaging other stakeholders

16. Consumer acceptability & Market Research

17. Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP) Product Development

18. Innovative Food Products Branding, Entrepreneurship, Investors
Outcome
The business case outcomes are as per below:
Estimated company valuation (worst case) - £3.5 million
Expected annual return – 18%
Required investment - £125k (5 to 10% equity)
Potential exit value in Year 5 - £286k
Potential exit multiple in Year 5 – 2.29x
Total return in Year 5 – 129%

19. Sweet Potato Premium Products
Product shortlisted for WORLD FOOD INNOVATION AWARD (Marhc2017 UK
WOMEN SUPER ACHIEVER AWARD by world HRD Congress
Shortlisted for EXPORT PREPARATION PLAN (DTI)
Perez Ochieng was selected as Top Most Talented Entrepreneur in Africa selected by HRH The Duke of York KG initiative, in their African Entrepreneurship Programme (AEP) designed to develop the African private sector and stimulate innovation and technology throughout the continent.

20. Thank you
The next big food ideas will come from Creativity and Innovation,Technical knowledge and skills, backed by committed Entrepreneurs who want to create value-added products that global Market place wants and demands.
Contacts:
Perez Ochieng
Mob: +44 (0)