After six years of close involvement with Agri-ProFocus, Treasurer of the Board Bram Huijsman (Wageningen UR) is about to resign. His new occupations include a water mill and research of rural history in France. He will also continue to be involved in the Africa Agribusiness Academy, a new initiative focusing on entrepreneurship of small- and medium-scale enterprises in the agrifood sector. But before that: what is his advice to Agri-ProFocus for the future?

How did you experience your time in the Board?
It has been an exciting and inspiring time. When Agri-ProFocus had just started in 2005, agriculture in developing countries was very low on the priority list of the Dutch government. In 2008, however, the World Bank’s World Development Report and the food crisis brought the topic back on the agenda. I believe that Agri-ProFocus has given it a good impulse and that the network contributes to the way we look at agriculture in development today.

The importance of food security and the relevance of Agri-ProFocus continue to exist; especially now, as agricultural prices are rising again. They already are at the level of prices of July 2008: the peak of the last food crisis.

Has Agri-ProFocus changed from when you first started as Board member?
Its focus has extended. Agri-ProFocus has always been about farmers, but from supporting producer organisations we went to promoting entrepreneurship and supporting value chain development. This has been a good achievement. Also, today the network’s energy is directed much more towards the South, towards the Agri-Hubs and local ownership.

I think it is important that Agri-ProFocus keeps its farmer’s focus. It should not try to encompass all that is agriculture & development-oriented, or else it will lose its relevance and impact.

What has, in your opinion, been your most important contribution?
The entrepreneurship perspective, I would say. I am the son of a Westland horticulturalist (greenhouse area in the Netherlands, red.) and was brought up in an entrepreneurial environment, where sharing of knowledge and a “can-do” mentality were important attributes.

Also, I have always tried to remain critical in terms of the added value of the Agri-ProFocus initiative.

What is your advice to Agri-ProFocus for the future?
Agri-ProFocus should continue as it does: promoting farmer entrepreneurship by facilitating its members and networks to work together. It should work like an ‘organising principle’ for organisations and professionals who share the same vision and/or interests. In addition, when the networks and initiatives started by Agri-ProFocus can function on their own strength, Agri-ProFocus should withdraw and try to define – if opportune – a new role in cooperation with the networks it helped to establish.

We will take your advice to heart. Thank you very much for being such an active and involved member of the Board and the partnership for all those years! We wish you all the best with your new life and activities in France.