AgroBootCamp: the keys to success in green entrepreneurship

The second edition of AgroBootCamp For Development (ABC4D) took place from October 4 to 10 in Benin at Tori-Bossito. During 7 days, participants had access to practical training in agro-ecology and green entrepreneurship. A look back at these 7 days which were a real success!

Delivery of participation certificates

What exactly is AgroBootCamp?

AgroBootCamp is a 7-day, hands-on training camp in agro-ecology and green entrepreneurship. The objective is to provide participants with the tools and methodologies to maximize their chances of success in environmentally related activities.

AgroBootCamp was born from the initiative of a group of organizations led by the Gardens of Hope and DJOUMAN. The organizers wanted to tackle the endemic problems that weaken African countries: unemployment and lack of prospects for young people, agriculture that has become a source of inequality and destroys the environment, food insecurity…

The 1st edition of AgroBootCamp was held from 14 to 21 March 2018 in Tori-Bossito and mobilized 38 participants. For the 2nd edition, there were 78 participants who walked the ground of the farm of the gardens of hope that hosted the camp. They came from 5 countries: Benin,Togo, Niger but also metropolitan France and Guadeloupe.

An overview of the training

AgroBootCamp is a way to make accessible the multiple opportunities offered by green entrepreneurship. Participants learn about income-generating activities that respect the environment. They also learn to live and work as a team, in perfect harmony with the natural environment.

There were many training workshops. Let’s start with the “hands in the soil” workshops during which participants were able to learn or perfect the practice of agro-ecology. Among the topics covered: pest management, composting, ecological fish farming, irrigation systems, biogas production…

Then, there were workshops of artisanal manufacture in particular of vegetable oils, soaps or mustard.

The boot campers also participated in business-oriented training sessions. They worked on marketing and brand creation, visual identity, the use of social networks to communicate effectively. They also had a session on the realization of business plan and financing for green projects.

The participants were also made aware of the issues of the world in which we live (climate change, “modern” agriculture…) through documentaries and debates.

Cultivating the collaborative spirit

But AgroBootCamp is not limited to training. The camp is punctuated by experience sharing with testimonies of entrepreneurs who have succeeded in agro-ecology in Benin.

AgroBootCamp is also an opportunity to create social links through collaborative games that are an integral part of the training. The camp takes place in a friendly and collaborative atmosphere.

The participants were delighted with the 7 days of camp and left confident that they could put into practice what they had learned and, above all, that they could count on a solid group, a community for their current or future activities.

AgroBootCamp 2nd edition ends on a positive note thanks to the support of our partners in particular Kawfê and the African Agency for Sustainable Development (AGADD). This is the occasion to thank them warmly as well as all the members of the organizing committee.

The year 2019 is looking bright with new sessions in Benin and in the sub-region. Stay informed by following AgroBootCamp on social networks (Facebook, Twitter). Subscribe to the Youtube channel to discover the highlights of the camp and interviews with participants.