A New Chapter in My Journey: Bridging the Gap between Big Corporations and Small-Scale Agriculture

I have spent my entire career in the food and beverage industry. I started my education as a food and agronomy engineer, working with large multinational companies for over 40 years. I recently decided to embark on a new adventure: developing AS Food internationally alongside Victor Nono.

What struck me most throughout my career was the vast gap between the classic industrial setup of large corporations and the real needs of small-scale agriculture. This realization convinced me that AS Food has a unique and essential role to play in bridging this gap by empowering small farmers to transform their produce and capture a greater share of the value added in the food value chain.

At this stage with AS Food being a startup, we are blessed with a small dedicated team committed to making a big impact in the near future. Here, leadership means listening, supporting, guiding, and sometimes nudging different stakeholders, while also managing day-to-day activities that will one day be delegated to a larger structure. In this dynamic environment, I am inspired daily by Victor’s dedication as our President. His attention to detail, care for our team, and unwavering focus on the bigger picture make working with him an absolute pleasure. His enthusiasm is truly infectious!

Looking at the global trends in the agriculture sector, we see the same challenges everywhere:

Climate change is making agricultural yields more volatile .
Urbanization in developing countries is driving demand for marketable agricultural products, with fewer farmers and more urban consumers.
The need for convenience is increasing demand for shelf-stable, ready-to-use food products.
Empowering rural populations through sustainable, self-financed activities that generate cash income is the way forward — not donations or short-term programs.
AS Food offers a compelling solution to address these evolving agricultural needs where it matters most. With our customizable solutions adaptable to various crops and environments, I am confident that we will make a significant impact in this field.

Here’s to making a difference where it counts!