Michael Iyanro: Enhancing Farm Profitability and Sustainability
Ladderworks is a publishing platform of diverse picture books and online curriculum with the mission to empower over a million kids to become social entrepreneurs. Our current series features interviews by our interplanetary journalist Spiffy with inspiring Social Entrepreneurs, Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Builders, and Changemakers who are advancing the UN SDGs.
Spiffy here with the scoop on the entrepreneurial leaders of Planet Earth. I’m thrilled to present this galactic exclusive with Michael Iyanro, the founder and CEO of Agpreneur. Let’s learn what’s happening at Agpreneur and how Michael is making a positive impact in the world.
Spiffy: Thanks for joining me, Michael! Tell me, what challenge are you addressing through Agpreneur?
Michael: Thanks for having me, Spiffy! Agpreneur tackles the challenge of post-harvest losses, limited market access, and financial constraints facing smallholder farmers. We provide integrated tech solutions such as storage, market linkage, and credit services, enhancing farm profitability, and sustainability.
Spiffy: What motivates you to do it?
Michael: Driven by a passion to uplift smallholder farmers and address food security, we're motivated by the transformative impact our solutions have on farmers' livelihoods, enabling them to thrive, not just survive, in an increasingly challenging agricultural landscape.
Spiffy: What is the impact of your work?
Michael: Our work significantly impacts smallholder farmers by reducing post-harvest losses, increasing access to markets, and providing flexible financing. This boosts their income, enhances food security, and promotes sustainable agricultural practices, benefiting communities at large.
Spiffy: Tell me about a recent organization milestone or initiative. What impact does it make on your community?
Michael: Recently, we launched our third solar-powered micro-warehouse, directly benefiting over 2,500 farmers by providing secure storage, reducing spoilage, and increasing profits by over 20%. This marks a significant step towards sustainable farming and greater economic stability for rural communities.
Spiffy: Is there anything else you would love to tell our audience?
Michael: Our pivot from Birdpreneur to Agpreneur reflects our adaptive approach and commitment to meeting farmers' needs. It's a testament to our journey of continuous learning and evolution, always aiming to create the most impactful solutions for smallholder farmers across Africa.
Spiffy: Thanks for speaking with me today, Michael—it’s been an honor!
Michael Iyanro is the visionary founder and CEO of Agpreneur, an innovative agritech platform. With over a decade of experience in agritech and sustainability, he's dedicated to empowering smallholder farmers through technology-driven solutions, significantly enhancing their productivity and livelihoods, while promoting sustainable agricultural practices. (First published on the Ladderworks website on March 27, 2024.)
The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect those of Ladderworks LLC.
© 2023 Ladderworks LLC. Edited by Shikha Tandon. Spiffy’s illustration by Shreyas Navare. For the Ladderworks digital curriculum to help K-3 kids advance the UN SDGs, visit Spiffy's Launchpad: Creative Entrepreneurship Workshops for K-3 Kids and their caregivers here.