Agroecology Entrepreneurship for Sustainable Rural Economy: Obstacles and Strategic Interventions

Globally, agroecology entrepreneurial undertakings are crucial in mitigating environmental susceptibility to climate change and fostering economic resilience, particularly in vulnerable regions. In Africa, however, entrepreneurs in this sector face numerous barriers, including complex land tenure systems dominated by traditional authorities, access to funding, inconsistent consumer demand, and technological constraints. Through a qualitative participatory action research approach, this case study examined the lived experiences of agroecology entrepreneurs operating in South Africa, offering comprehensive insights for stakeholders, including entrepreneurs, green investors, and policymakers. The key findings isolated multi-stakeholder collaboration and public-private partnerships as essential in mitigating the identified challenges. These measures could target consumer awareness campaigns to bridge the “green gap” and align purchasing behaviours with sustainability goals. Subsidising green technologies for sustainable agroecology ventures is also necessary for overcoming technological limitations. The study offers a comprehensive approach to facilitating sustainable agroecology entrepreneurship in rural areas. Keywords: Agroecology, Environmental Resilience, Green Entrepreneurship, Sustainable Rural Economy