EXTENSION AS SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Transcription

1 EXTENSION AS SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP Presented by Dr Merida Roets At the PIM Workshop on Research on Agricultural Extension Systems on the 15 th and 16 th October 2013

2 Defining Social Entrepreneurship Social entrepreneurship is the process of pursuing suitable solutions to social problems. More specifically, social entrepreneurs adopt a mission to create and sustain social value. They pursue opportunities to serve this mission, while continuously adapting and learning. They draw upon appropriate thinking in both the business and non-profit worlds and operate in all kinds of organizations: large and small; new and old; religious and secular; non-profit, for-profit, and hybrid. Whereas business entrepreneurs typically measure performance in profit and return, social entrepreneurs also take into account a positive return to society. Social entrepreneurship typically furthers broad social, cultural, and environmental goals and profit can at times also be a consideration for certain companies or other enterprises.

3 Defining Agricultural Extension Agricultural extension is a general term meaning the application of scientific research and new knowledge to agricultural practices through farmer education. The field of 'extension' now encompasses a wider range of communication and learning activities organized for rural people by educators from different disciplines, including agriculture, agricultural marketing, health, and business studies.

4 Defining Scientific Roets Scientific Roets (PTY) LTD is a private company serving Rural Development through: Agricultural and Rural Enterprise Project Management through our Project Management Unit (business plans, implementation, market linkages, branding) Training (Fully Accredited Training Service Provider and Institute of Sectoral and Occupational Excellence of AgriSETA) through our Learning Division (agriculture plant, animal, poultry, entrepreneurship, Early Childhood Development, Adult Basic Education and Training, Nutrition) Agricultural research (contract research and ad hoc research regarding indigenous resources, nutrition and agricultural economics) through AgriSPACE (IP, Impact Assessments) and Development of innovative new products and services through our Research and Development Division (E-learning).

5 Sources of funding Contracts with various government departments such as: Department of Tourism Department of Economic Development Department of Environmental Affairs Department of Rural Development and Land Reform Contracts with government sanctioned institutions, such as: AgriSETA (Sector Education and Training Authority) ServicesSETA Agri-Business Development Agency (KZN) SEDA (Small Enterprise Development Agency) Private companies (PANNAR Seed, CBL (Crookes Brothers Limited Sugar Cane Producers) District or Local Municipalities FET Colleges (Further Education and Training Authorities) Philanthropists and Corporate Social Investment Segal Family Foundation BBBEE compliance (Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment)

6 Clients Primary Co-operatives (i.e. Production co-operatives) Secondary Co-operatives (i.e. Value-adding co-operatives) Un-employed learners (youth and women) seeking further education or skills sets CBO s (Community Based Organisations seeking employment or entrepreneurship opportunities for their communities) Entrepreneurs (either as individuals or as groups) Interns (seeking to complete their practical experiential training to obtain their diplomas, or looking for first time work experience) Municipalities directly (For example: seeking business plans or feasibility studies for the purposes of rural employment creation) Employees (of large companies requiring specialised training of their staff)

7 Criteria for Successful Social Entrepreneurship in Agricultural Extension Knowledge of context of client (language, culture, circumstance) Legal Compliance (company registration, shareholding, tax, bank accounts, financial statements, audits etc.) Data base or roster registrations (to be able to do work for government institutions) Technically skilled and accredited (Professional bodies, networks, journals, ascribe to QMS, standards and norms of industry) Realistic pricing Skilled in fund-raising (through tenders and proposals - proposal writing skills (not lobbying or tenderpreneurship!) Keep up-to-date with (and constantly adapt to) legislation (Legislative changes are opportunities!) Have the resolve to say No when required i.e. when it s not feasible, relevant, realistic, technically sound, safe nor honest. Be excellent! People will want to use you and recommend you again and again.

8 Thank you! Questions and Discussion