Fresh habanero peppers can spoil before they reach consumers, creating losses for growers. Kentucky State University research associate Richard Ojo explored one potential solution through an agribusiness concept that transforms fresh peppers into a shelf-stable product.
Richworth Dried Habanero Flakes earned Ojo third place and a $2,000 award in the Tournament of Ideas pitch competition. The competition concluded the second cohort of the 16-week Agribusiness Entrepreneurial Academy, offered through the Agriculture Business Innovation Center at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University.
The program provided a firm foundation for Ojo to develop key elements of the concept, including its target market, production strategy, marketing approach, and financial considerations.
“The academy helped me look at agriculture beyond production,” Ojo said. “It challenged me to think about how we can add value to agricultural products and develop solutions that meet both producer and consumer needs.”
Kentucky State is a partner in the Agriculture Business Innovation Center, alongside Alabama A&M University and West Virginia State University. Based at North Carolina A&T, the center supports agricultural entrepreneurs through education, technical assistance, business consulting, and workforce development.
Source : kysu.edu