Meet John Okello
As we conclude our “Meet the Founders” series, take a deep dive into John Okello’s quest to bringing the heat on the toxic chemical; mancozeb. Learn more about John’s entrepreneurial story and why he co-founded an Agroecological Enterprise with Rootical.
Introduction
“Entrepreneurship is living a few years of your life like most people won't, so that you can spend the rest of your life like most people can’t,” Anonymous. Meet John Okello, a visionary entrepreneur and Bio-technologist hailing from Lira who’s ready to make a meaningful impact in the Ugandan food system.
John Okello's pursuit of a Bachelor's Degree in Biotechnology and a Master's in Conservation Natural Resource Management from Kyambogo University ignited his enthusiasm for both innovation and conservation.
Embarking on the entrepreneurial journey
For Okello, the entrepreneurial spirit has always been an intricate part of his identity. He sees entrepreneurship not merely as a means to financial success but as a vehicle for creating tangible, positive change in the world.
"We are in a world where we should ask ourselves what we can do as individuals, to make a difference" reflects John.
The genesis of Guarding Fresh, a regenerative agri-food business
Motivated by a shared vision of catalyzing change through regenerative agriculture, Okello found his calling in Rootical—a platform that resonated deeply with his values and aspirations. Rootical's commitment to fostering an environment that embraces regenerative agriculture and agroecology provided the perfect opportunity for John's entrepreneurial endeavors.
“I co-founded Guarding fresh alongside Annet Dianah Nannono and Roselyn llemuyat to create a working solution for challenges like food waste and the toxic chemical mancozeb that’s wrongfully used on the Ugandan market to extend the shelf life of fruits and vegetables,” John re-affirms.
The Guarding Fresh team; Annet Dianah Nannono (at the extreme left), Roselyn llemuyat and John Okello
Guarding Fresh is an agri-food business dedicated to extending the shelf life of fruits and vegetables using organic solutions. Guarding Fresh aims to replace a toxic agrochemical, mancozeb, which is wrongly used on the Ugandan market, despite being banned in Europe due to its health hazards.
"Rootical supports what you believe in, we received mentorship, training and worked with like minded individuals which made work at Guarding Fresh easier" affirms Okello.
What success looks like
For Okello, success is about making a meaningful impact on people's lives and the environment, where people have access to healthier fruits and vegetables. Guarding Fresh's business model uplifts smallholder farmers to yield high produce, off takers to sell fruits and vegetables in bulk with low wastage and consumers to have healthier meals.
"Success is about impacting communities, preserving the environment, and creating economic value simultaneously, My goal is to create a fair and just food system," John asserts.
Envisioning a Brighter Future
Looking ahead to the horizon of 2030, John envisions Guarding Fresh as a trailblazer in post-harvest loss management, spearheading transformative change in reduced waste across Uganda and beyond. His aspirations extend beyond business success; he aims to leave a lasting legacy of positive change, empowering communities and fostering regenerative agriculture across Uganda.
Hannes Van den Eeckhout; The Founder and Rootical Director with the Guarding Fresh team
Navigating Challenges, Embracing Lessons
John has faced challenges like logistical hurdles and unforeseen setbacks. However, he emphasizes the importance of adaptability and continuous learning in overcoming these obstacles.
"Learning is a continuous process, there’s always more to learn. A good entrepreneur is one who’s always willing to learn," John reaffirms.
John through Guarding Fresh envisions leaving a legacy that’s a testament to the transformative power of entrepreneurship. He further projects that Guarding Fresh will scale up to other countries of East Africa like Kenya and Tanzania.
