Meet Dr. Akite Irine
Journey with us in this series as we introduce more Rootical Founders-in-Residence. Meet Dr. Akite Irine, an expert in regenerative agriculture and a passionate entrepreneur. Learn more about her entrepreneurial experience and her quest to transform Uganda’s food system.
Introduction
In a global move towards regenerative agriculture, Dr. Akite Irine is eager to facilitate this transition. She is a dedicated entrepreneur and expert in regenerative agriculture. Driven by her humble upbringing from a farming family in Northern Uganda, her goal is to improve the lives of smallholder farmers nationwide.
With a Bachelor's Degree in Agriculture, MSc. in Agri-Enterprises Development and PhD in Agricultural and Applied Biosciences from Gulu University, her professional journey into the agricultural sector began in academia. She also teaches agribusiness at Gulu University.
Team ‘agrobulking’ Hannington Wako (left), Jimmy Ouni, Dr. Akite Irine and Orisa Raphael
“As the firstborn of six siblings, my roots are deeply intertwined with agriculture. Raised in a farming background, I witnessed firsthand the struggles faced by my parents as farmers, both on the supply and demand fronts,” says Dr. Irine.
Entrepreneurial Journey
Dr. Irine’s entrepreneurial spirit was ignited during her university years, where she engaged in various business ventures and consistently turned profits. However, it was her unwavering passion for agriculture and the desire to address the challenges faced by farmers that led her to establish her own business. Thus, after joining Rootical, team AgroBulking was born, with a mission to transform the agricultural landscape by bridging the gap between farmers and off-takers.
Under Irine’s lead, team agrobulking is developing an agri-business that empowers smallholder farmers with crop advance payments to facilitate their production management (inputs, labour, etc), and then links them to off-takers, especially processors. The latter consistently face sourcing issues, both in terms of quality and quantity, and as a result produce only at a fraction of their processing capacity.
“We defined success by our ability to tackle the systemic issues affecting the agricultural sector, such as low market access, low yields for farmers, poor quality and inorganic farming practices, and underpriced farmer’s produce,” Irine adds.
Co-founding with Rootical
Co-founding with Rootical has been a game changing experience for Dr. Irine. She gained access to invaluable resources, mentorship, and networks. Through the stages of Rootical’s venture building process, Irine created great connections with experts who have been key in facilitating the development of her business. The leadership skills she acquired from Rootical’s boot camp, have enabled her to later get selected by her team members as the CEO of the team.
“I have the privilege of leading a team dedicated to driving positive change in the agricultural sector. Reflecting on my journey as an entrepreneur, I've come to realise that success is a journey. Every challenge is an opportunity for growth, and every setback is a lesson in resilience,” Irine affirms.
“Team AgroBulking” at the Rootical 2023 pitch day.
What the future looks like.
Looking ahead to 2030, Dr. Irine and her co-founders Hannington Wako and Jimmy Ouni, aspire to build the business into a trusted brand, expand their network of farmers and innovators, and serve as a model for accelerating the adoption of regenerative agriculture across Uganda.
“ I want to inspire the women and youth of Uganda that they can break free from stereotypes and thrive in traditionally male-dominated industries. Moreover, I hope to champion the cause of agroecology, supporting smallholder farmers and fostering meaningful connections within the agricultural value chain,” Irine emphasises.
Dr. Irine further envisions a future where farmers are empowered, off-takers embrace quality produce, and consumers enjoy healthy food choices.
“Our impact extends beyond economic gains; it encompasses social uplifting and environmental regeneration,” Irine mentions.
Navigating through the inevitable hurdles of entrepreneurship
Dr. Irine continues to thrive as an entrepreneur, amidst challenges of balancing family responsibilities as a mother and business commitments while navigating the complexities of financing the operations. Through perseverance, strategic planning, and the unwavering support from the Rootical team, She continues to overcome these obstacles.
“Entrepreneurship is a continuous learning process. Passion, dedication, and a willingness to adapt can make anyone a successful entrepreneur. “ Irine concludes.
