THREE MANDATORY [NON-BUDGETARY] STEPS TO PROMOTE AGRO-INDUSTRY IN EMERGING ECONOMIES

BY DR.NIMROD

I often wonder, “Can emerging economies have long-lasting economic success without considering (ignoring) their agro-sector?”

Nigeria has a lot of oil and tried to build its economy based on its commercialization. Does this work for Nigeria?

For agrarian economies, is relaying their economic success on selling “Natural Resources” is the best way out for the millions living in poverty?

Sub-Saharan African countries are still agrarian-based economies – 98% of the farmers are smallholders, many of which live in extreme poverty. Similar challenges are experienced by major Asian and LATAM countries.

Those countries’ economies’ future success or failure is interlocked with the agro-sector and vice versa.

BURDEN OR ASSET

When it comes to the agro-sector, what options do emerging economies face?

If you are a decision-maker in an emerging economy, ask yourself:

* How do we consider the agro-sector today? Is it a burden or an asset?

* How would we like to look at it in five years from now, a burden or an asset?

Unfortunately, the agro sector is often perceived as a burden more than an asset.

When I meet decision-makers in such countries, it always seems like they have no clue what to do with those “problems” called agriculture and smallholders.

When you don’t know what to do, you either do nothing or do something, anything, so you would be able to say, “We are doing a lot for you.”

In both cases, the underlying message to over 50% of the population is– “You are a problem, which we have no clue how to solve and a heavy economic burden.”

Farmers are not fools, and the message is heard and received. This is not very empowering or contributing to creating a better future.

Yet, another option is to turn those smallholders and the entire agro sector into “A National Asset!”

By turning a “problem” into a “solution,” we resolve the entire nation’s most oppressive and painful human and economic challenge.

Do you think it is impossible?

DO YOU BELIEVE IN YOURSELF?

Nelson Mandela said, “It always seems impossible until it’s done.”

Look around you; it is all a result of people’s dreams and actions, including the smartphone or computer, which you use to read these lines.

Jean-Jacques Dessalines was born in 1758 in Haiti as an enslaved person. Forty-eight years later (1806), he died as the first emperor of the free and independent Haiti.

Over 200 years later, the smartphone was invented by a person who, as a baby, was unwanted and rejected by his biological parents. Today, we all know his name, Steve Jobs.

“It always seems impossible until it’s done.”

What others think and say about you becomes valid only if you believe it. First, believe in yourself and your ability to self-transform and then change the reality of others.

And yes, life is not fair. This did not prevent the greatness of the rejected and unwanted from appearing whenever they believed in themselves. Believe in yourself.

FIRST STEP

DO YOU BELIEVE IN YOUR COUNTRY?

Countries are no different than people. It is powerful when a nation believes in its ability and capability to design, lead, and create its desired future.

In contrast, it is hopeless and demoralizing when the people of a country don’t believe their country, meaning their leadership. In such a case, everything becomes “impossible.”

Countries, like individuals, rise to what they think of themselves and believe they can achieve.

If the country’s leadership doesn’t believe in its agro-sector and sees it as a burden, why should others see it in a different light?

So the first step in turning around your national economy is to believe in yourself. Then, believe in your country and its agro-sector potential to positively impact your country’s future economy.

As a leader, you should start by supporting and showing genuine appreciation to those involved and related to the agro sector. In emerging economies, that is over 50% of the population.

Bonus note.

David Ben-Gurion was Israel’s first Prime Minister. Once retired from political life, he joined a Kibbutz (a community of farmers), worked in agriculture, and spoke about its importance to Israel’s security and future. Today Israel is an agro-industry world leader.

Leading through self-example is a great way to convince people to follow you and that your words are not an empty shell.