Determinants of Agri-food Investment from Fund Managers' Viewpoint

Abstract

A more welcoming investment environment for the agri-food sector is envisioned as a result of the 2020 Venture Investment Promotion Act and the subsequently revised Act on Creation and Operation of Agricultural, Fisheries, and Food Investment Funds in South Korea. This study seeks to identify strategies to encourage venture investment for agri-food entrepreneurs by relying on these new legal environments. This study uses the Analytic Hierarchy Process to assess factors that facilitate investing based on a survey of fund managers and investment analysts who have invested in agri-food products. The findings indicate that the readiness of agri-food enterprises to adopt corporate-like management practices and their willingness to pursue commercialization are the primary determinants of investment facilitation. Deregulated investment environments and enhanced investor incentive systems rank as the second and third most significant determinants. The results offer insights into strategic policy initiatives aimed at increasing investment for startups, young entrepreneurs and venture farmers.