On the vast lands of Africa (see this map to realize how big Africa actually is) there is tremendous potential for agricultural businesses. The East-African plateau, for example, in Kenia and Tanzania consist of fertile areas that are already used by the Dutch who are in horticulture.
Jelmer
First name:
Jelmer
Last name:
van de Mortel
Biography:
An enthusiastic and energetic, little baby was born on May18 close to the Efteling. Quickly, this fairy-tale beauty made his first steps to discover his surroundings. Burning with curiosity he explored the various possibilities given and the challenges he could take up. He spent his early youth in Uden, a picturesque village in Brabant, and it became clear that the challenges he took up were dominated by sports. He played field hockey on sunny Saturday mornings, went on his bicycle all the way to Paris, Berlin and Copenhagen, played chess, climbed the Kilimanjaro and the heaviest challenge: being an oarsman. In the course of time, however, he realized that he had to devote himself to study. Interested by the dynamics of the business world he decided to study International Business and set off South to settle in Maastricht. During his bachelor he concentrated on Finance and Organizations, but realized that the party-spirit ran in his blood. Once again he took up the challenge and organized the INKOM 2009 in order to give new students in Maastricht an alluring and dazzling warm welcome. At the moment he is almost finished with his studies, ready for take off and still in search of many adventures…
History
- Member for
- 2 years 10 months
Latest blog items
Big Deal cont'd
30 December 2010
Jelmer
Last blog I informed you about the deal taking place between the farmer organisation Kibaigwa SACCOS and the World Food Programme about the delivery of 1,553 metric tons of maize. The biggest problem they faced at that time was the access to credit. Farmers are normally used to sell to traders on the spot for at a low price. Since, they need the money for the school fees of their children or new seeds or fertilizers for the new season. Therefore, they are often not willing to wait for their money.
Big Deal
01 November 2010
Jelmer
“Big Deal” is a representative of a local supplier to WFP under the P4P project and has many lessons for life in general and Africa in specific. Whether I knew that 95% of the African secretaries slept with their boss and thus all decisions in Africa are actually made by the secretaries and not by their boss.
In Africa you have to struggle!
29 September 2010
Jelmer
Above story was one of the plenty enriching experiences I had in Zambia last week. I went to Lusaka to attend the workshop “Rural Finance”. This year’s theme was “Exploring rural finance best practices along value chains - Cases from East and Southern Africa”. In short, rural financing encompasses financial services that focuses on households and smallholder farmers in rural areas. Access to adequate and timely financial services is a key element to empower the economically poor.
A journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step
20 September 2010
Jelmer
My motivation to apply was threefold. First of all, my affinity for Africa and emerging markets in general, which became existent during my studies abroad in Stellenbosch, South Africa, made me willing to apply. Additionally, my global focus, social responsibility and cultural awareness led to the believe that I have to contribute something to the globe.
