When it comes to agriculture in Benin, the numbers tell a big story. Over 70% of Benin’s population relies on agriculture for their livelihood (World Bank, 2022). But even with farming everywhere, youth unemployment remains high at around 14% (ILO, 2023). This is where Othniel Josué Lokonon is making his mark.
At just 24, he’s the founder of Hochea Agro Services, a company changing lives by empowering smallholder farmers in his community. Through his company, Othneil is tackling one of the biggest challenges in his region: youth unemployment. He’s using agriculture not just to grow crops, but to create jobs. We caught up with Othniel to hear about his journey, his impact, and what keeps him going.
Q: Othniel, what sparked your entrepreneurial fire and what drives you today?
“What excites me most is creating jobs through Hochea Agro Services. I don’t just want to win awards; I want to make a real impact. I’m putting all my energy into building a company that creates as many jobs as possible.”
Q: Why is job creation so central to your mission?
“In Benin, especially rural areas, unemployment is a huge issue. Most young people leave agriculture because they don’t see opportunity in it. I want to change that narrative. My business isn’t just about growing produce – it’s about building pathways to stable jobs and hope for youth who might otherwise have no options.”
Q: How exactly are you creating these jobs through Hochea Agro Services?
“My goal is for Hochea to recruit up to 100 young people each year if possible. We started with just five people and now we’re at 30 employees. We also bring in temporary workers for lab work, weeding, harvesting, processing – all sorts of tasks. Strong young people for the heavy lifting, and women for processing and flexible tasks. Every activity we launch is an opportunity to recruit and empower someone.”
Q: That’s impressive growth. How are you managing it strategically?
“It’s about starting small and scaling smart. Expanding our orange tree plantations naturally creates more demand for workers. We’re intentional about recruitment. We use clear job descriptions to find the right people and run internships that often lead to permanent employment. It’s a win-win: the business grows, young people gain real experience, and the community thrives.”
Q: What’s the biggest roadblock you’ve faced so far?
“Low production. If I don’t produce enough, I can’t hire enough. Increasing production depends on having sufficient working capital. I dream of building a larger processing unit for soybeans and palm trees, but without funding, it’s difficult. That’s where I’m focusing my efforts right now.”
Q: What golden lessons have you learned on this journey?
“The first thing is that a business must solve a real problem in your community. Ask yourself: What does your community actually need? Water? Food? Jobs? Start there.
Second, you need to know how to manage your money. You can’t just focus on your mission; you need to understand sales, turnover, and profit. That’s what keeps your business alive and your impact growing.”
Q: Any advice for young entrepreneurs looking to build their own ventures?
- Solve real problems. Look around and ask: what’s broken? What’s missing? Build your business to fix it.
- Think big but start smart. I started with five employees. Now, I aim for 100 per year. Big dreams happen step by step.
- Gather resources creatively. Funding challenges will come. Start small if you must, build in stages, and think early about attracting investors, applying for grants, or creating partnerships.
- Learn finances. Money management isn’t boring – it keeps your mission alive. Know your sales, revenue, and profit.
- Keep going. There will be tough seasons, funding gaps, and setbacks. But if your mission is clear and your community needs you, keep moving. Perseverance beats all.
Othniel Josué Lokonon proves that you don’t need to build an app or move to a city to create real change. His orange trees are growing fruit, hope, jobs, and futures. So go on – build something that matters. Your business could be someone else’s lifeline. Start planting today.
👉🏾 Follow The Journey Season 3 to keep up with Hochea Agro Services and Othniel’s incredible story of creating jobs through agriculture in Benin.
