Kenya - Startup under 3 years old

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Situated in Kenol, Murang’a County, Seta Farm is your go-to destination for all things mushrooms. Our diverse range of services includes: Quality mushroom production, farmer training and sale of grow kits.

01.01 Describe your startup in more detail

Our wide array of services includes: a) Superior mushroom production: We specialize in cultivating high-quality white and brown button mushrooms with exceptional care and expertise. Our mushrooms are supplied to restaurants and grocery stores in Nairobi and Mombasa, thanks to our advanced grow rooms that ensure year-round production. b) Empowering farmers: Our comprehensive training program "From Hay to Harvest" equips farmers with the necessary knowledge and skills to successfully produce and harvest both brown and white mushrooms. To date, we have supported over five hundred farmers in button mushroom production and created over two hundred indirect jobs. c) Innovative grow kits: Our colonized mushroom grow kits offer a simple and efficient solution for farmers to grow mushrooms. With optimal temperature maintenance, our kits guarantee a plentiful harvest. Furthermore, we provide valuable market connections for the mushrooms grown.

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

1. Unemployment: The lack of job opportunities has forced many women and young individuals to turn to destructive community vices like prostitution and drug abuse. 2. Lack of Adequate Information: There is a widespread lack of knowledge about where to begin in the mushroom value chain and where to sell the produce. 3. Unmet Demand for Mushrooms in the County: Due to limited resources, many mushroom farmers can only produce three crops per year, failing to meet the growing demand and forcing Kenya to rely on imported mushrooms. 4. Agricultural Pollution: Farm waste and improper disposal methods are leading to water source contamination and the release of harmful greenhouse gases, such as methane, posing a threat to the environment. 5. High Perishability of Mushrooms: We also offer dried mushrooms in our markets and supply mushroom powder to Uji Power producers and traditional medicine practitioners.

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

Convenience: With our kits, farmers can save time and effort on composting, leading to the potential for up to six crops per year, compared to the traditional three. Additionally, we reduce the risk associated with composting. Experience: We take pride in providing hands-on practical training due to our consistent production throughout the year. Quality: Our high-quality mushrooms are meticulously hand-harvested under stringent hygiene standards. Values: we are committed to environmental sustainability, as we package our mushrooms in biodegradable sugarcane bagasse. Efficiency: we've optimized our processes to ensure prompt delivery of our grow kits. Cost savings: we offer reasonably priced training packages and provide discounts for group training, which can be particularly beneficial for those with limited budgets. Health and wellness: we offer a healthy alternative to animal protein. Mushrooms are rich in Vitamins, antioxidants, minerals like phosphorus, and low in cholesterol.

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

a) Button mushrooms: We are committed to expanding our presence in restaurants and grocery markets. Currently, we supply four restaurants and two grocery stores. In addition, we are exploring partnerships with online food delivery apps like Glovo and Bolt Food to further broaden our reach. b) Mushroom training: We plan to closely collaborate with women and youth groups in our community, such as the Gikeno women's group. By organizing community events, we aim to establish hubs and collection centers nationwide to educate and empower more farmers. c) Grow kits: Our strategy involves providing our substrate to previously trained farmers across the country. Through a mentorship program, we will facilitate hands-on learning and the transfer of skills by pairing experienced farmers with young apprentices.

01.05 When was your company established?

2023-12-05

01.06 Are you already selling your product/service?

Yes

01.07 How many other owners are there within your startup?

0

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.)

I am the sole owner.

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

https://setafarm.co.ke

01.11 Which industry best describes your project?

k) Property (real estate)

02.01.01 My startup contributes to the No poverty goal

5

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification for my startup

Our unwavering commitment is to eradicate poverty by tackling unemployment and fostering social inclusion. This has been made possible by providing employment opportunities at the farm level, with a current workforce of 3 full-time and 4 part-time employees. Furthermore, our workshops have empowered up to five hundred farmers to create further employment opportunities for their friends and family.

02.02.01 My startup contributes to the Zero hunger goal

5

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification for my startup

In 2022, 148 million children experienced stunted growth, and 45 million children under 5 suffered from wasting. Our community is taking action by empowering local farmers in button mushroom composting to offer a sustainable and nutritious alternative to animal protein. Mushrooms are packed with essential vitamins, proteins, antioxidants, and selenium, boasting anti-cancer properties. Furthermore, we are tackling waste by encouraging farmers to dry their mushrooms, which are then ground and sold as a nourishing food supplement.

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

4

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

02.04.01 My startup contributes to the Quality education goal

5

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification for my startup

Through our impactful training workshops, we have successfully empowered women and youth with valuable education. Our comprehensive training covers compost preparation, crop management, and innovative construction techniques using locally available materials to ensure affordability. Moreover, we actively educate the community about the numerous health benefits of mushrooms, encouraging them to embrace sustainable living and overcome mycophobia. Our hands-on approach equips farmers with practical skills in mushroom farming. With our program, we aim to ensure equal access to affordable vocational training, bridge gender and wealth gaps, and foster gender equality.

02.05.01 My startup contributes to the Gender equality goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification for my startup

At Seta Farm, we are dedicated to providing equal opportunities and empowering women in the workplace. We actively support gender equality and cultivate supportive and respectful work environments. Through our involvement in career fairs, we aim to eliminate unconscious biases and implicit barriers to create a fair and inclusive opportunities for all.

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

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

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

Young people aged 15-24 are facing significant challenges in accessing decent employment. Shockingly, in 2022, a staggering 289 million youths worldwide were not in education, employment, or training. Our training programs have played a pivotal role in creating more employment opportunities and ensuring safe and secure working environments. Through our training initiatives, we are empowering young people and women, providing them with the skills needed to succeed in the labor market. Not only do we ensure gender equality, but we also level the playing field for all aspiring youth, regardless of gender, income, or socioeconomic background. By offering decent work, we are not only providing equal opportunities but also ensuring fair income, workplace security, social protection, and personal development for all. Our strict adherence to health and safety measures in the workplace guarantees the well-being of our workers.

02.09.01 My startup contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

4

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification for my startup

02.10.01 My startup contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification for my startup

A staggering one in six people worldwide has faced discrimination, with women and people with disabilities bearing the brunt of it. Through our innovative training, we are igniting a social revolution using mushroom production as a catalyst for change. By eradicating discriminatory practices, we are empowering women and youth groups to make a greater impact and take on increased collective responsibility. Our specially designed grow kits make it possible for time-strapped farmers, individuals with disabilities, and those with limited space to still grow mushrooms.

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

02.12.01 My startup contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

6

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification for my startup

We have revolutionized our composting methods with the zero-energy poly tunnel technique which utilizes high-density pipes with strategically placed holes. This cutting-edge approach has resulted in faster crop cycles, improved substrate quality, and higher yields while reducing the need for harmful pesticides. Our commitment to sustainability is evident in our use of packaging punnets made from sugarcane bagasse and sourcing raw materials locally, significantly reducing our carbon footprint. Despite 931 million tons of food being wasted annually, we have taken action by repurposing dried mushrooms into high-quality mushroom flour, effectively minimizing food waste. By embracing a circular economy, we have transformed farm waste like wheat straw into nutrient-rich substrates, effectively turning waste into food and contributing to resource conservation.

02.13.01 My startup contributes to the Climate action goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification for my startup

By transforming agricultural waste like wheat straw into compost, we are committed to reducing environmental pollution and fostering a more sustainable food system. The conversion of waste into compost not only improves system resilience and efficiency but also promotes healthier and more sustainable diets through the cultivation of nutrient-rich mushrooms. Embracing sustainable local sourcing of raw materials will effectively reduce our carbon dioxide footprint. Additionally, by reusing wastewater from the mushroom production process, such as prewet and goody water, we are actively working to minimize our overall water footprint. This approach not only conserves water resources but also helps in preventing pollution caused by untreated wastewater discharge. Studies have shown that reusing water in this manner can reduce wastewater by up to 56 percent.

02.14.01 My startup contributes to the Life below water goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification for my startup

02.15.01 My startup contributes to the Life on land goal

6

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification for my startup

Between 2015 and 2019, a staggering 100 million hectares of thriving land were degraded annually, affecting the lives of 1.3 billion people. Our work contributes to restoring these ecosystems through the provision of nutrient-rich manure. The spent substrate serves as organic fertilizer for farms, effectively aiding in soil conservation. Our mushroom compost, rich in active microflora and free from contaminants found in animal compost, safeguards plants from diseases. Furthermore, soil enriched with our compost retains up to 2.5 times more water than traditional soil. Our manure has been embraced by organic farmers and tree nursery establishments, showcasing its effectiveness in sustainable land management.

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

02.17.01 My startup contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

6

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification for my startup

In our pursuit of success, we have effectively mobilized a combination of existing and additional resources. Through strategic partnerships with non-governmental organizations such as Hand in Hand East Africa, we have empowered women and youth through targeted training initiatives. Furthermore, our collaboration with the local government has delivered impactful capacity-building programs to the Gikeno women's group as part of the National Agricultural and Rural Inclusive Growth Program.

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

5

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

4

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.

6

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.

6

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

5

06.08 Justification for my startup

The mushroom community often relies on the sale of grow kits, but only large farms have the resources to modernize their operations with pasteurization chambers and temperature control units. By adopting the short method of composting, we aim to enhance the quality of our substrate, resulting in increased productivity and superior mushroom quality. This will see increased incomes for our farmers. Our decision to produce purely organic compost using this method represents a significant improvement from the grow kits we currently offer. The increasing popularity of grow kits among farmers reflects a larger trend of prioritizing cultivation over the complexities of composting. We plan to elevate our product by enriching its flavor with spices such as garlic and pepper, allowing us to introduce a ready-to-use mushroom soup powder to the market. This innovation will serve as a superior alternative to the dried mushroom powder we currently sell, tapping into the growing demand in restaurants

06.09 Competitive Analysis

Competitors: - Kigali Farms - Makuno Organics - Majestic Mushrooms - Dimjim Mushroom Farm Our competitive edge lies in: - 3 years of mushroom production expertise - Established customer base - Infrastructure for year-round production - Proximity to the market - Media recognition as a leading entrepreneur - Organic mushroom production - Backward integration for cost-efficient raw materials - Continuous and reliable agricultural waste supply

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