Pages: (165-176 )
Abstract
Entrepreneurship has increasingly been recognized as a critical driver of agricultural modernization and food systems transformation, particularly in developing economies where structural constraints limit productivity and competitiveness. Nigeria’s agriculture and food systems face persistent challenges, including low value addition, post-harvest losses, weak market integration, food insecurity, and vulnerability to climate and economic shocks. This study examines the effect of entrepreneurship on agriculture and food systems transformation in Nigeria, with specific emphasis on opportunity-driven, innovation-oriented, and market-oriented entrepreneurship. Using a survey research design, primary data were collected through structured questionnaires administered to 271 employees of agro-processing and food-related manufacturing firms in Nigeria. Descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis were employed to analyze the data. The findings reveal that entrepreneurship significantly influences food systems transformation, with innovation-oriented entrepreneurship exerting the strongest effect, followed by opportunity-driven and market-oriented entrepreneurship. The study concludes that entrepreneurship constitutes a critical mechanism for transforming Nigeria’s agriculture and food systems toward sustainability, efficiency, and inclusiveness. Policy implications and recommendations for strengthening agribusiness entrepreneurship are discussed.
Keywords: Agricultural entrepreneurship, food systems transformation, agribusiness, innovation, Nigeria,