30/04/2018
An overview of The Jiajiri Business Dialogue, by Essau Obed Lukumay
Held At the Sokoine University of Agriculture (Mazimbu Campus)
21st April 2018.
This is a recap of the JIAJIRI BUSINESS DIALOGUE on Mindset change, Agribusiness and Entrepreneurship. A summary of the presentations made at the Dialogue and my personal thoughts and overview of the Dialogue.
Grand opening by the Board Chair and Founder of SUGECO, Dr. Anna Temu. After brief introduction of SUGECO, she talked about how the Israelites had conquered the agricultural field with modern and sophisticated technology and practices, also briefed on the SADAKA network on how brilliant it is, the network could crowd fund projects, crowd sourcing all over the world just with the use of the network, and of course Israelis did it again.
But all these were by the Israelites, why not us? Why? We too have brains. What was happening to them and not us?? Stirring up the discussion, some questions were posed for digestion,
1. Why don’t Horticulturist’s own Modern Intensive Farms, Greenhouses for modern horticulture?
2. Why don’t Food Scientists add value to agricultural produce, but rather wait to be employed?
3. Why don’t Animal scientists own Ranches??
Why??
All these Questioned, See I would ask myself same questions over and over again, I guess it’s all in our hands, to do all the remarkable things the world could offer, we shouldn’t settle for less nor mediocre.
“Think more than what you are learning in class” –Dr. Anna Temu
Paradigm shift- act and think entrepreneurially, was the topic on the table by Mr. Masimba Joseph.
The big question was, do you have your philosophy of life? Do you? 20+ year old, University student with no life philosophy, then you aren’t close to where you want to go or probably you’re lost.
So we better shift our paradigms, because at one time University degree students or holders are outsmarted by diploma and Technical graduates, in terms of performance and deliverance and it’s true.
So what are we doing about that? Still not being proactive, not taking initiative to grasp the skills and know how, then we are to be blamed of our own failures.
Mr Masimba pointed out, why the “Jiajiri” and Entrepreneurial notion is on the spotlight lately, it was due to the fact that, Annually the number of University graduates is around 30,000 graduates, and the job market can hardly absorb 15 to 20% at max, by providing employment, what about the 80%?! Now, are you among the 20% or among the 80%, are you equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge, let alone your high GPA and colorful certificate, but can you deliver?
Here comes the principle “Every Man for himself”. The Roman Empire wasn’t built by the rest of the world but by only few Romans said Masimba, you’re the master of your own life, then you’re the few romans then build your Roman Empire.
“Good of the world is, it will bring a plate full of everything, and the choice comes into play. But do you have the science and skills to make the right choice?” Questioned Mr Masimba.
“Life is all about choices- NM”, I was once told, but Knowledge and experience would make you in a better position to make a right choice and equip you to face the reality.
“Youth Mindset towards self-employment: What is missing?” Asked Dr. Daniel Ndyetabula.
I was impressed by not only his presentation but also how he dressed, An intellectual indeed, — Dressing can truly say something about yourself
Mindset is a very powerful incentive within one’s self. Brain and talents are just starting points on mindset growth, and this creates the love for learning and resilience. “But how can we develop a growth mindset which is the ultimate incentive within ourselves?” Ndyetabula Questioned,
Developing an effective entrepreneurial mindset.
1. Understand what motivates you
2. Know what you love
3. Challenge yourself
4. Reversal thinking
5. Change your habits
All these could lead into development of an entrepreneurial mindset. The choice is yours...
Now, what is missing?
Ndyetabula propounded that, the missing gap in youth minds, was Entrepreneurial Tenacity, Tenacity is about working hard and working smart for a long time.
See about us Youth we’re the instant coffee type, on pressing the expresso Machine, coffee was rushing into the cup. But that is not the case in the real world, it’s a process, “Patience can cook a stone” an African proverb, well said I could not agree more and that’s a lesson to us all.
Several testimonials were presented by different speakers, from Avith Kilawe, MD Freshdells Co Ltd a third year student at MUCCOBS, who briefed on his college life and entrepreneurship, on top of that being a Managing Director at a young age.
Also, a daring start by Eliah Kinshaga, MD Kinshaga Food Products. Probably you must have heard about the “Pineapple biscuits and dried pineapples”
And the reknown, Benjamin Fernandes was on stage with 10 amazing core pillars of life, after his journey at the Stanford School of Business and working with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
1. God First, We all need direction, sense of purpose, clarity in this uncertain world.
2. Family, The sacrifices our parents, siblings and guardians are nurturing.
3. People -don’t light off your fellow’s candle, because it doesn’t make yours brighter. Meaningful connections with people add up to our lives.
4. Manage your time, he stresses how We Tanzanians are bad at time keeping.
5. Always Love those around you, trust your circle
6. Question every day, curiousness why this and who are you? It would give you a deeper understanding of one self and matters at hand.
7. Take time to think, space is vital, take time to think about yourself, about life and you’re relationship, about your call.
8. Know your purpose and those who surround you
9. Learn to Say No, it is okay to say no if you can’t make it for that day or to that event or probably a sickening relationship, or going out for dinner
10. Network, go to events, attend conferences, network push for new acquaintances, who knows you might knock that million dollar door, or maybe find your soul mate or probably find treasure... who knows, Just try
It was a brilliant dialogue, eye opening indeed, from the opportunities in Agribusiness and Agriculture; it made me realize the world at hand from a different perspective now, as a graduate. The experience showed light at the tunnel end, that black child it’s possible, you too can own a Ranch, A modern Farm, Fashion store undertake A billion dollar project, and it just needs that daring start, entrepreneurial tenacity, hard decision making, necessary skills, knowledge and skills to make the right choice.
I believe that, the sky is too big for us all to shine. Happy Daring Start!
ESSAU OBED LUKUMAY
Founder and CEO of "KILIMO PESA COMPANY"
