Zambia - Startup under 3 years old

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Digital flash agro limited was founded in 2022, formerly incorporated on 16th june 2023,is dedicated to revolutionarise agriculture. Our mission is to infuse excitement and profitability into the agriculture sector through innovation, training and market

01.01 Describe your startup in more detail

Digital flash agro innovation limited was established in 2022, incorporated on 16th june 2023, is dedicated to revolutionarise agriculture. Our mission is to infuse excitement and profitability into the agriculture sector. Captivating the young generation while serving as a valuable resource for seasoned farmers. We are specialised in establishing quality market linkages, delivering comprehensive trainings both skills trainings and capacity building trainings for sustainable agriculture and climate friendly farming methods, fostering strategic partnerships and offering expert consultation services. As your trusted farm development, research, we are committed in shaping a dynamic and prosperous future of agriculture.

01.02 What is the main problem you are trying to solve?

The major source of employment in Zambia is the agriculture sector both commercial and Smallholder farming. Zambian has more than 2 million Smallholder Farmers.with the change in the rainfall patterns, high temperatures, and lack of agriculture finance, About 60% of the Smallholder Farmers are facing low income and hunger due to low yields. This is because they lack knowledge about crop rotation, irrigation and sustainable agriculture in this changing world. Due to this challenge, we have experienced high school drop outs, health challenges due to poor died and gender issues in our society.

01.03 Tell us the major benefits and/or advantages of using the product/service that your startup provides (at least 3).

Digital flash agro innovation limited is the farmers market place. Our aim is agriculture innovation through

01.04 Please describe who exactly your startup’s product/service is aimed at serving. Who are the targeted beneficiaries?

Digital flash agro innovation aims at improving the lives of Smallholder Farmers in Zambia by providing a growth platform that has seen a number of farmers become financially independent. Between 2022 and June 2024, we have over 3000 farmers within our community and about 500 subscribers. Our chili outgrower scheme for the 2023 farming season was successful with 70% harvest through irrigation which we trained our farmers in. We have a pig and poultry outgrower scheme running.these number are mostly around lusaka, central province and southern. We have a few Chili farmers in the copperbelt, our aim is to grow national wide and impact every farmer in Zambia

01.05 When was your company established?

2022-03-09

01.06 Are you already selling your product/service?

Yes

01.07 How many other owners are there within your startup?

3

01.08 Among the other owners, how many are female?

2

01.09 Please describe the profile of the other owners within your startup (skills, experience, etc.)

Faith Chakufyali holds a degree in environmental education from the University of Zambia. She is an environmental safety officer and trainer in sustainable agriculture. She has 5 years of experience as an environmental education trainer. Njavwa Musondela holder of a degree in development studies from the University of Zambia, masters in business Administration from university of lusaka. He has 10 years of experience

01.10 If you have a website, a social media page (Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin…), or app, please provide the link(s) here:

01.11 Which industry best describes your project?

b) Materials (agriculture, fishing, chemical products, construction materials, containers and packaging, metals and mining, paper and forest products)

02.01.01 My startup contributes to the No poverty goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification for my startup

By providing a space for knowledge, market and network, most farmers are improving their standard of living and eradicate poverty

02.02.01 My startup contributes to the Zero hunger goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification for my startup

More families are able to afford 3 meals a day through our partnerships and trainings.

02.03.01 My startup contributes to the Good health and well-being goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification for my startup

Digital flash agro innovation limited has allowed farmers to afford food that add to their nutrition because we encourage animal husbandry such as potatoes and poultry production to allow manure as organic fertilizer. We also provide health talks so that our farmers are informed on the importance of living health.

02.04.01 My startup contributes to the Quality education goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification for my startup

Dfm is a center of agriculture innovation, knowledge, consultantation and partnership. This has allowed all the benefiting people to obtain agriculture growth plans and also take their family to quality schools for education.

02.05.01 My startup contributes to the Gender equality goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification for my startup

Digital flash agro innovation limited has partnered with other organizations such as she rebuilds the world has provided opportunities to our female farmers to be trained in leadership and agribusiness. We are also educating woman to actively participate in agriculture.

02.06.01 My startup contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

5

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification for my startup

We have partnership with other organizations which allows hosting farmers and educating them on health living and keeping our environment clean such as water.

02.07.01 My startup contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

4

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification for my startup

Due to the current shortage in the hydro electric power outage, digital flash agro innovation farmers are being trained to use solar energy to power their business. Solar energy in the cleanest source of energy.

02.08.01 My startup contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

7 - Strongly Agree

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification for my startup

With the rise of trained farmers and quality production, farming is becoming beautiful and attractive and more people are joining the sector mainly for self employment.

02.09.01 My startup contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

7 - Strongly Agree

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification for my startup

Digital flash agro innovation limited provides knowledge of technology in agriculture, such as environmentally controlled poultry houses which do not need charcoal for heating but can be heated using electricity. We are also developing an app that will provide easy selling and outgrower profile.

02.10.01 My startup contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification for my startup

We are educating woman and people from underserved communities on the benefits of owning land and investment in agriculture. This has boosted the confidence and many of our farmers are women

02.11.01 My startup contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

4

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification for my startup

We believe in sustainable agriculture, solar energy recycling and organic fertilizer to serve our planet

02.12.01 My startup contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification for my startup

We believe in value additional knowledge and education to allow us to keep products that may be flooded on the market today so that they can not be wasted

02.13.01 My startup contributes to the Climate action goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification for my startup

Dfm trainings are more focused on Sustainable agriculture, minimum tillage, cover crops, crop rotation and mixed farming. Animal husbandry is another important component

02.14.01 My startup contributes to the Life below water goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification for my startup

We educate farmers on the dangers of water pollution and wrong fishing methods.

02.15.01 My startup contributes to the Life on land goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification for my startup

We are advocates for sustainable agriculture and climate friendly farming methods. We value every animal and all that lives on land.

02.16.01 My startup contributes to the Peace Justice and Strong Institutions goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.16.02 Peace Justice and Strong Institutions- Justification for my startup

We are a community that believe in working today and living together in harmony and also educating each other

02.17.01 My startup contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification for my startup

Dfm has partnered with Many other organizations such as hermaton agro service's,she rebuilds the world and krypia to see that our farmers receive the best services.

06.01 There are a large number of customers who already use a product/service very similar to the product/service we envision creating.

7 - Strongly Agree

06.02 The product/service represents an entirely new type of product/service.

7 - Strongly Agree

06.03 The product/service could be described as a new technology.

7 - Strongly Agree

06.04 The product/service is an improvement on an existing product or service.

3

06.05 The product/service could be described as an extension of a range of products or services.

7 - Strongly Agree

06.06 The product/service responds to a demand or need that has not been satisfied by other products/services.

7 - Strongly Agree

06.07 The product/service is a new version of an old product/service.

2

06.08 Justification for my startup

The product is a new version of maano agriculture app. We also know of zespri based in new Zealand that have controled the selling of kiwi in that country through outgrower scheme.dfm is here for change and communism among Smallholder Farmers in Zambia.

06.09 Competitive Analysis

Our competotors currently include, havst, maano and paches. These companies try to connect farmers with buyers across Zambia. Our major advantage is that we have a relationship with the farmers and looking at this drought that heat Zambia only dfm has an alternative through our trainings, and capacity building with the farmers.we have networks all over the country of our farmers and we are able to communicate to them through our call center. We believe every farmer matters and dfm is here to serve all.agriculture can be very lonely to walk alone due to challenges such as droughts and prices. We are here to provide connections and partnerships for the farmers to allow them to gain opportunity to access imputs and others agriculture services that provide growth.

11.05 Are you initiating actions within your community to promote the role of female entrepreneurs?

Dfm agro innovation limited had 60% female farmers and 40% male. This is through our partnership with organizations such as she rebuilds the world which has helped us gather allot of female farmers across Zambia. We believe woman are the ones who mostly take care of families due to the connection they have with the children. When we empower them with the skills and abilities they are able to do better.