Jan Greyling joins AgVentures
Jan Greyling is joining AgVentures as analyst in January 2021.
Jan holds a PhD in Agricultural Economics from Stellenbosch University and has published several academic papers and book chapters in agricultural development, policy, and technology. Jan worked as lecturer at Stellenbosch University for five years where he also led the Stellenbosch AgroInformatics initiative, a project with the focus of enabling data intensive research and innovation partnerships in agriculture.
Prior to joining the University, Jan worked as researcher at the Bureau of Food and Agricultural Policy (BFAP). Jan has an active interest in agrifood tech and the application thereof to improve agricultural productivity, ensure environmental sustainability and improving rural livelihoods throughout the African continent. Jan comes from a farming background and is still closely involved with his family farm as well as the farming community at large. His interest in agrifood technology has also led him to write as freelance journalist and columnist for Landbouweekblad on agrifood tech trends for several years.
“We are very excited to welcome Jan as part of the AgVentures family. Jan’s credentials speak for itself and we have no doubt that his passion for agrifood tech and the African continent will strengthen AgVentures’ cause.” says Gerhard Visagie, CEO of AgVentures.
Agrifood technology innovation remains crucial to meet the challenges posed by strong population growth, rapid urbanisation and changing consumer preferences. It is projected that the African population will increase from 1.3 billion in 2020 to 2.5 billion by 2050, with the urban population expected to increase from 400 million to 1.2 billion during this period. The challenge is even greater given that our continent is currently not food self-sufficient with an average of US$ 45 billion in food products being imported each year. Africa has the human capital and natural resource capacity to meet these challenges in a sustainable and environmentally responsible way if agrifood tech innovation and entrepreneurship are enabled.