Ali Farzpourmachiani , Simin Naghibi Masouleh , Saeed Najafi, Adel Safaei, Mohammadali Rajabi Torbehbar , Mehdi Farzpourmachiani

Animal Farming and Entrepreneurship Ventures

Introduction

Animal farming and entrepreneurship ventures. Transforming animal farming into market-driven ventures? This review offers tools & insights on business models, digital tech, finance, gender, and sustainability for entrepreneurs.

Abstract

Animal farming is transforming from subsistence-oriented conventional practices to wards market-driven entrepreneurial enterprises. The current review integrates peer-reviewed studies and experiential knowledge on economic factors, business models, uptake of digital technology, finance, gender, sustainability, and policy impacts encapsulating livestock entrepreneurship in various income contexts. Based on global and national data, it offers practical tools such as business model charts, unit economics charts, technology solutions, finance options, and risk management techniques available to entrepreneurs, cooperatives, investors, and policymakers. Some of the most important findings are: (i) profitability depends on feed quality, animal productivity, market access, and business skills; (ii) the application of digital technologies accelerates herd management and disease surveillance; (iii) there are still financing gaps despite value-chain financial products under development; (iv) gender participation and benefits are shaped by inclusive business operations; and (v) considerations for sustainability increasingly connect climate change, animal welfare, antimicrobial resistance, and market advantage. A forward agenda is outlined for developing "enterprise-ready" animal agriculture that combines technical efficiency, entrepreneurial capability, risk finance, and open sustainability.

Review

The review titled 'Animal Farming and Entrepreneurship Ventures' presents a timely and highly relevant examination of the evolving landscape within animal agriculture. It effectively captures the significant paradigm shift from traditional, subsistence-oriented practices towards dynamic, market-driven entrepreneurial enterprises. By integrating both peer-reviewed studies and valuable experiential knowledge, the paper sets an ambitious and comprehensive scope, analyzing the multifaceted elements underpinning this transformation across diverse income contexts globally. A significant strength of this review lies in its structured approach to addressing critical dimensions of livestock entrepreneurship. It systematically explores economic factors, diverse business models, the increasing uptake of digital technology, financing mechanisms, gender dynamics, sustainability imperatives, and policy impacts. The paper distinguishes itself by offering tangible, practical tools such as business model charts, unit economics charts, technology solutions, finance options, and risk management techniques, directly applicable to entrepreneurs, cooperatives, investors, and policymakers. The key findings are particularly insightful, underscoring how profitability is intricately linked to feed quality, animal productivity, market access, and business acumen. It also highlights the transformative potential of digital technologies for herd management and disease surveillance, while candidly acknowledging persistent financing gaps despite emerging value-chain products. Furthermore, the review appropriately emphasizes the role of inclusive business operations in shaping gender participation and benefits, and critically connects sustainability considerations—encompassing climate change, animal welfare, and antimicrobial resistance—to market advantage. Overall, this review makes a valuable contribution to understanding the complexities and opportunities within modern animal farming entrepreneurship. Its forward agenda, aiming to foster "enterprise-ready" animal agriculture through a combination of technical efficiency, entrepreneurial capability, risk finance, and open sustainability, provides a robust framework for future development and policy formulation. While commendably broad in its scope, future research building upon this foundation could delve deeper into specific regional or sub-sectoral nuances, providing more granular insights into the implementation challenges and successes of these entrepreneurial ventures. Nonetheless, for anyone seeking a holistic overview and practical guidance on navigating the transition of animal farming into a sophisticated entrepreneurial sector, this paper serves as an excellent and highly recommended resource.

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