In Trans-Nzoia East Sub-County, Kenya, small-scale farming is the heartbeat of the local economy. Yet in recent years, one powerful idea has started to reshape these farms—and it goes beyond just growing crops. It’s about growing agripreneurs.
But what exactly does that mean?
Agripreneurship is the fusion of agriculture and entrepreneurship. It’s when a farmer becomes more than a producer—they become a strategic thinker, an innovator, and a business-minded change-maker. And according to a recent study, two key factors are driving this transformation: farmer training and personal characteristics.
From Farmer to Farm Business Manager
A recent study “Role of farmer training and personal characteristics on agripreneurship among small scale farmers in Trans-Nzoia east sub-county, Kenya” showed that training makes a real difference. Farmers who received support in areas like crop management, entrepreneurship, budgeting, financial literacy, marketing, and technology use reported major improvements in how they run their farms.
For instance:
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65% of trained farmers followed cropping calendars.
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60% became more creative in production and marketing.
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Over half became better farm managers and adapted easily to new technologies.
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Many began to diversify, using their land for multiple income-generating activities.
Training helped farmers look beyond subsistence—it gave them the tools to plan, manage, and grow their agricultural enterprises.
Beyond skills, personal traits played a huge role. The study found that successful agripreneurs shared key qualities such as creativity in marketing and production, problem-solving skills, adaptability to new practices and technologies, self-motivation, and even a knack for using ICT to access market information.
In other words, the best agripreneurs aren’t just well-trained—they’re curious, resilient, and proactive. They don’t wait for opportunity; they plant it themselves.
Most smallholder farmers in the study had just 1–2 acres of land—but that didn’t stop them. With the right training and mindset, they began to view their farms not just as a means of survival, but as businesses full of potential.
As one participant noted, “When you understand how to manage money, crops, and time, farming becomes a job you’re proud of—not something you’re stuck with.”
The Takeaway
Agripreneurship isn’t just a trendy word. It’s a real pathway to rural prosperity, especially in East Africa. With proper support—from training programs (such as UPSCALE has with Push-Pull technology) to extension services—and by nurturing the entrepreneurial spirit of farmers, small-scale agriculture can thrive in new and exciting ways. Let’s keep investing in the people behind the farms—because when farmers grow, so does everything else.
Read more in the scientific paper here.
