Zambia - Startup under 3 years old

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Our socially inclusive business offers Zambian farmers quality planting material and technical support to boost sweet potato yield. We then process harvested sweet potatoes into flour, providing bakeries with cost-effective alternatives to wheat flour.

01.01 Describe your startup in more detail

Our business is registered as Nguvu Sweet Potato Farms, we revolutionize the sweet potato industry in Kabwe by supporting farmers and creating value-added products from their harvest. We provide top-quality planting materials and technical guidance to optimize and improve crop yields. By empowering farmers as our outgrower partners we boost productivity and contribute to regional food security. We go a step further, post-harvest we aggregate the produce, grade and sort then process the sweet potatoes into flour. With the increasing demand for gluten-free and alternative flours, our business provides bakeries with a cost-effective and nutritious substitute to traditional wheat flour. This not only helps bakeries diversify their product offering but also caters to consumers with dietary restrictions or preferences. Our holistic approach, from farming support to product development, promises to make a significant impact on food security, economic growth, and environmental sustainability.

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

1. Low Productivity in Sweet Potato Farming: Our micro business addresses this by providing top-quality planting materials and technical guidance to farmers. By doing so we boost and increase crop yields through training and outgrower support services. 2. Limited Market Opportunities for Farmers: The business aggregates farmer produce, grades, sorts, and processes sweet potatoes into flour. This adds value to the farmers' harvests, creating new market opportunities beyond traditional local sales. 3. Demand for Gluten-Free and Alternative Flours: With the rising demand for gluten-free products, as a business we offer sweet potato flour as a nutritious and cost-effective substitute to expensive wheat flour. This meets the needs of bakeries looking to diversify their product offerings. 4. Food Security and Sustainability: By empowering farmers as outgrower partners and promoting sustainable farming practices, the business contributes to regional food security and sustainable farming.

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

1. Nutritional value: Our sweet potato flour is rich in vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber, offering a healthier alternative to traditional wheat flour. It supports balanced diets and caters to consumers with gluten intolerance or dietary preferences. 2. Versatility in baking: Bakeries can diversify their product range by incorporating sweet potato flour into various baked goods like bread, cakes, and pastries. It enhances texture, flavor, and nutritional profile, appealing to health-conscious consumers. 3. Sustainable and local sourcing: By sourcing sweet potatoes locally and supporting farmers with training and innovative resources, we promote sustainable agriculture and boost the local economy. This strengthens food security and reduces environmental impact compared to imported alternatives.

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

1. Bakeries and food manufacturers: The primary targeted beneficiaries are bakeries and food manufacturers seeking affordable and nutritious alternatives to traditional wheat flour. By offering sweet potato flour and puree, Nguvu Sweet Potato Farms provides these businesses with versatile ingredients for product innovation and diversification. This allows them to cater to a broader range of consumer preferences, including those with dietary restrictions or preferences for gluten-free options. Additionally, by incorporating sweet potato products into their offerings, bakeries and food manufacturers can differentiate themselves in the market and potentially attract new customers. 2. Consumers with Dietary Restrictions or Preferences: Another key beneficiary group includes consumers with dietary restrictions or preferences, such as gluten intolerance or those seeking healthier alternatives to traditional wheat-based products.

01.05 When was your company established?

2024-02-02

01.06 Are you already selling your product/service?

Yes

01.07 How many other owners are there within your startup?

1

01.08 Among the other owners, how many are female?

1

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

The other partner and lady co-founder possesses the following skills, attributes and expertise: 1. Marketing and branding expertise 2. Sales and business development skills 3. Strong networking abilities 4. Industry knowledge and passion 5. Effective communication and presentation skills 6. Creativity and innovation in promoting the business.

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

https://www.facebook.com/nguvufarms?mibextid=ZbWKwL

01.11 Which industry best describes your project?

l) Farming

02.01.01 My startup contributes to the No poverty goal

6

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification for my startup

1. Income generation for farmers: By providing farmers with high-quality planting materials and technical support, Nguvu Sweet Potato Farms helps increase agricultural productivity and yields. This enables farmers to generate higher incomes from their sweet potato crops, lifting them out of poverty and improving their standard of living. 2. Employment opportunities: The startup creates employment opportunities within the agricultural sector, particularly for rural communities where sweet potatoes are grown. 3. Market access and value addition: Nguvu Sweet Potato Farms adds value to raw sweet potato produce by processing it into flour and puree. This value addition not only increases the market value of sweet potatoes but also creates opportunities for farmers to access higher-value markets, thereby increasing their incomes and reducing the risk of poverty.

02.02.01 My startup contributes to the Zero hunger goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification for my startup

1. Increasing food production: By providing farmers with high-quality planting materials and technical support, we help increase agricultural productivity and yields. This contributes to a more abundant food supply, helping to alleviate hunger and food insecurity in communities where sweet potatoes are grown. 2. Diversifying food options: Sweet potatoes offer a nutritious and versatile food source, rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber. By promoting the use of sweet potato flour and puree as alternatives to traditional wheat flour, Nguvu Sweet Potato Farms helps diversify food options, providing consumers with healthier and more sustainable choices. 3. Supporting small-scale farmers: Nguvu Sweet Potato Farms prioritizes working with small-scale farmers, providing them with access to resources, knowledge, and markets. By empowering these farmers to grow sweet potatoes more effectively and profitably, the startup helps strengthen local food systems and livelihoods.

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

6

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

Nguvu Sweet Potato Farms plays a vital role in advancing SDG 3 by promoting access to nutritious food, offering allergen-friendly options, diversifying diets, supporting sustainable agriculture, and providing educational initiatives that contribute to improved health and well-being outcomes for communities.

02.04.01 My startup contributes to the Quality education goal

4

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification for my startup

1. Technical support and training: The startup provides technical support and training programs to farmers, equipping them with the knowledge and skills necessary to optimize sweet potato cultivation. These training sessions cover a wide range of topics, including planting techniques, pest and disease management, soil health, and best agricultural practices. By imparting practical knowledge and skills, Nguvu Sweet Potato Farms enhances the quality of agricultural education among farmers, improving their productivity and livelihoods. 2. Promotion of sustainable farming practices: Nguvu Sweet Potato Farms promotes sustainable farming practices that prioritize environmental conservation and long-term viability. 3. Community engagement and knowledge sharing: Nguvu Sweet Potato Farms actively engages with local communities to foster knowledge sharing and collaboration. Through farmer cooperatives, field demonstrations, and community workshops, the startup facilitates peer learning.

02.05.01 My startup contributes to the Gender equality goal

6

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification for my startup

Nguvu Sweet Potato Farms promotes gender equality through various initiatives: 1. Equal employment opportunities: The startup provides employment opportunities to both men and women in agricultural production and processing roles, ensuring fair access to jobs. 2. Empowerment of women farmers: As a rural based business we actively engage and support female farmers as outgrower partners, providing them with training, resources, and fair compensation, thereby enhancing economic empowerment. 3. Inclusive decision-making: The startup promotes gender-inclusive decision-making processes, ensuring that both men and women have a voice in operational and strategic decisions. 4. Education and awareness: Nguvu Sweet Potato Farms invests in gender-sensitive training programs, educating women farmers on advanced agricultural techniques and leadership skills, fostering their development.

02.06.01 My startup contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

4

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification for my startup

1. Water management practices: our startup promotes efficient water management practices among farmers, encouraging techniques that minimize water usage while maximizing crop yield. This indirectly supports sustainable water use in agriculture. 2. Sanitation in processing: Nguvu Sweet Potato Farms ensures proper sanitation standards in their processing facilities where sweet potatoes are sorted, graded, and processed into flour. This helps maintain hygiene and sanitation throughout the production process. 3. Community awareness: we engage with local communities to raise awareness about water conservation and sanitation practices, promoting responsible water use and hygiene behaviors among farmers and stakeholders.

02.07.01 My startup contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

3

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification for my startup

1. Energy efficiency: Our startup implements some energy-efficient practices such as use of solar powered equipment in our processing operations, aiming to reduce energy consumption during sweet potato processing.

02.08.01 My startup contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

6

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification for my startup

1. Employment creation: The startup provides employment opportunities directly through various roles in agriculture, processing, and administration. This contributes to reducing unemployment and underemployment in the local community. 2. Support for farmers: By engaging farmers as outgrower partners and providing them with training, resources, and fair compensation, Nguvu Sweet Potato Farms enhances agricultural productivity and income stability. This supports sustainable livelihoods and economic growth among farming communities. 3. Value addition: The processing of sweet potatoes into flour adds value to the agricultural produce, creating new market opportunities and increasing income potential for farmers and stakeholders along the supply chain. 4. Local economic development: By sourcing locally and promoting value-added products, the startup contributes to local businesses.

02.09.01 My startup contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

5

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification for my startup

1. Value-Added products: The startup innovates by processing sweet potatoes into flour, providing bakeries and consumers with a nutritious alternative to traditional wheat flour. This innovation meets the growing demand for gluten-free and alternative flours in the market. 2. Infrastructure development: Nguvu Sweet Potato Farms invests in processing facilities and infrastructure for sorting, grading, and processing sweet potatoes into high-quality products. This enhances efficiency in production and distribution, contributing to improved infrastructure within the agricultural sector. 3. Technological adoption: there is potential for the startup to further innovate through the adoption of advanced agricultural technologies and practices. This includes precision farming techniques and digital AI tools to optimize crop yields. 4. Market expansion: new products like sweet potato flour stimulates market growth and diversification, fostering economic opportunities for local farmers.

02.10.01 My startup contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

6

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification for my startup

Nguvu Sweet Potato Farms contributes significantly to reducing inequalities by fostering economic empowerment, improving market access, promoting skill development, and enhancing social inclusion among farmers and stakeholders in their supply chain and community.

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

1. Rural development: The startup's activities in promoting sustainable agriculture and economic growth in rural areas indirectly contribute to sustainable development in nearby communities. By enhancing agricultural productivity and income opportunities for farmers, they help mitigate rural-urban migration pressures. 2. Environmental sustainability: Nguvu Sweet Potato Farms promotes sustainable farming practices among their outgrower partners, such as water conservation and soil management techniques. This contributes to environmental sustainability by reducing agricultural impacts on local ecosystems. 3. Community engagement: The startup engages with local communities through awareness programs on sustainable farming and environmental stewardship. This fosters community participation in sustainable development initiatives and encourages responsible resource management.

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

Nguvu Sweet Potato Farms actively promotes responsible consumption and production through efficient resource management, waste reduction, sustainable product offerings, environmental stewardship, and community education initiatives.

02.13.01 My startup contributes to the Climate action goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification for my startup

1. Sustainable agriculture practices: The startup promotes and implements sustainable agricultural practices among farmers, such as conservation tillage, crop rotation, and integrated pest management. These practices help sequester carbon, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and enhance soil health. 2. Efficient resource use: Nguvu Sweet Potato Farms encourages efficient use of resources like water and fertilizers, which reduces the carbon footprint associated with agricultural activities and supports climate resilience. 3. Carbon sequestration: Through the cultivation of sweet potatoes and adoption of sustainable farming techniques, the startup contributes to carbon sequestration in soils. This helps mitigate climate change impacts by storing carbon dioxide underground. 4. Reduced deforestation: By promoting sweet potato cultivation as an alternative crop, Nguvu Sweet Potato Farms indirectly reduces pressure on forests and natural ecosystems.

02.14.01 My startup contributes to the Life below water goal

2

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification for my startup

The business startup in this regard only promotes the reduced use of agrochemicals, such as pesticides and synthetic fertilizers, which can have negative impacts on soil organisms and biodiversity. This supports healthier soil ecosystems and reduces pollution risks to below-ground life.

02.15.01 My startup contributes to the Life on land goal

5

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification for my startup

Through sustainable agricultural practices like soil conservation and biodiversity preservation, our startup ensures the health and productivity of agricultural lands. We promote ecosystem conservation and engage local communities in responsible land management, fostering awareness and stewardship. Additionally, our efforts in training farmers on sustainable practices contribute to enhancing soil fertility and reducing erosion, supporting resilient ecosystems and sustainable land use.

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

3

02.16.02 Peace Justice and Strong Institutions- Justification for my startup

As a business we promote economic stability through agricultural productivity, provide fair trade opportunities, and engage in community education to enhance legal awareness. However, further efforts in transparency, accountability, and fostering community dialogue can enhance our impact on promoting justice and strengthening institutional frameworks within our operations and partnerships.

02.17.01 My startup contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

6

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification for my startup

Nguvu Sweet Potato Farms actively contributes to partnerships for sustainable development through collaborative efforts with farmers, industry stakeholders, communities, and knowledge-sharing platforms. These partnerships strengthen our ability to achieve mutual goals of economic growth, environmental sustainability, and social progress.

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.

6

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

5

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

7 - Strongly Agree

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

6

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.

6

06.08 Justification for my startup

Nguvu Sweet Potato Farms stands out due to its integrated approach to transforming the sweet potato industry in Kabwe. Unlike traditional farming models, our business not only supports local farmers with high-quality planting materials and technical guidance but also goes further by aggregating, processing, and adding value to sweet potatoes post-harvest. Our production of sweet potato flour caters directly to the growing demand for gluten-free and alternative flours, thus diversifying product offerings for bakeries and meeting dietary preferences. This holistic approach—from farm support to product development—positions us uniquely at the intersection of agricultural innovation, food security enhancement, and sustainable economic growth within the region. By empowering farmers, optimizing yields, and creating value-added products, we contribute significantly to local food security while promoting environmental sustainability through efficient resource use and minimal waste.

06.09 Competitive Analysis

Our main competitors are farms that that supply planting material, however Nguvu Sweet Potato Farms excels through comprehensive vertical integration, managing the entire value chain from superior planting materials to sweet potato flour production. This ensures quality, consistency, and traceability, meeting high market standards. Our innovative sweet potato flour addresses the growing demand for gluten-free alternatives with superior nutrition. Committed to sustainability, we employ eco-friendly farming practices and empower local farmers. Through targeted marketing emphasizing health, sustainability, and community impact, we differentiate our brand, fostering trust and leadership in the specialty food sector. Collaborating with experts drives ongoing innovation, ensuring market relevance and competitive advantage.

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

Yes, as co-ounder of Nguvu Sweet Potato Farms, I am committed to promoting the role of female entrepreneurs within our community. Some actions we are initiating include: 1. Training and empowerment programs: Implementing training sessions and workshops specifically tailored for women interested in agriculture and agribusiness. These programs cover topics such as crop management, financial literacy, and leadership skills. 2. Access to resources: Facilitating access to resources such as land, capital, and technology for female entrepreneurs. This includes partnering with local organizations and financial institutions to provide funding opportunities and equipment. 3. Networking and Mentorship: Establishing networks and mentorship programs where experienced female entrepreneurs and leaders in agriculture can mentor and support aspiring women in the field. 4. Recognition and visibility: Promoting the achievements and success stories of female entrepreneurs through our social media.