In Senegal, a country where agriculture has long been viewed as a pursuit for the elderly and less educated, Thierno Agne is leading a transformation. Once a law student anticipating a traditional career, Agne has now planted himself as one of the country’s leading strawberry farmers. At age 36, his success defies the conventional wisdom, persuading others that farming might be as desirable a career as any legal profession.
Agne's academic shift from law to agriculture came during a moment of realization. He recognized the saturation of law graduates and the shrinking opportunities for meaningful employment in that field. Opting for the path less traveled, he ventured into farming, bewildering his family and friends. Nevertheless, he has managed to not just cultivate strawberries but also engineer a shift in the perception of agricultural work, attracting admiration and interest from the younger generation.
On a recent visit to his farm near Dakar, Agne tended to his lush strawberry plants under the morning sun. His hard work has produced not only a thriving business but also a new narrative about agricultural careers in Senegal—one that emphasizes innovation, education, and respect. As he checks on his oh-so-delicate crops, Thierno Agne stands as a testament that farming can indeed be a modern and lucrative profession, encouraging young individuals to reconsider their career aspirations.
