Kenya - Startup under 3 years old

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Our mission is dedicated to fostering food security and sustainable agricultural practices by empowering the youth.

01.01 Describe your startup in more detail

Our approach is rooted in the belief that empowering young individuals to actively engage in agriculture is essential for fostering food security and sustainable practices. We are committed to supporting a diverse range of youth-led initiatives and interventions that drive positive change in the agricultural sector. Through our public townhalls, we experts, agricultural leaders, policymakers, and inspiring youth guests to share their knowledge and insights, generating meaningful conversations that promote collaboration and inspire action.

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

We are trying to soleve the problem of food security by amplyfing simple agriculture strategies to youths with an aim of boosting communities towards sustainable agricultural practices and achieving food security.

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

By providing young individuals with the knowledge and skills needed for modern agriculture, Zero Hunger empowers them to become leaders in the agricultural sector. This education helps youth develop innovative solutions to food security challenges for instance by helping them learn the best seedlings to cultivate according to seasons, it helps them boost there produce.

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

Teenegers and youths across Kenya in communities who practice agriculture.

01.05 When was your company established?

2022-10-15

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.)

Sophia Kawira is an Economist by practice who has vasr interest in social impact initiatives, achieving sustainable development goals with a focus on food security. She holds a bachelors and masters in Economics from the University of Naiorbi.

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

https://zerohunger.or.ke/index.php

01.11 Which industry best describes your project?

l) Farming

02.01.01 My startup contributes to the No poverty goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification for my startup

02.02.01 My startup contributes to the Zero hunger goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification for my startup

One of the core components of our mission is to equip young individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary for modern agriculture. We believe that empowering the youth is essential for creating a sustainable agricultural sector that can meet the growing global food demand.

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

Our initiatives at Zero Hunger Initiative ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. Our initiatives specifically target the intersection of food security, nutrition, and overall health. Here’s how we contribute to this goal with evidence from our activities: We partnered with a local agricultural institution in Meru to introduce and promote the cultivation of biofortified crops, where we discussed Vitamin A-enriched sweet potatoes and iron-rich beans. With the support of the Kenya Agriculture Reforms & Innovations (KARI) we provided seeds and technical support to young farmers. Biofortified crops are specifically bred to address micronutrient deficiencies. Our initiative ensures that communities have access to essential vitamins and minerals through their diet, reducing the prevalence of conditions like anemia and vitamin A deficiency.

02.04.01 My startup contributes to the Quality education goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification for my startup

For quality of education at Zero Hunger Initiative we ensure to provide inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. Here’s how our initiatives align with this goal, with specific evidence from our activities: We have developed and implemented agricultural education programs in schools and community centers. These programs include interactive workshops, practical training sessions, and the establishment of school gardens. By integrating agricultural education into school curricula, we provide students with practical skills and knowledge about sustainable farming practices. This hands-on learning approach enhances their understanding of food production and environmental stewardship. 3 schools have adopted our agricultural education programs, benefiting more than 500 students and improving their engagement with science and environmental studies.

02.05.01 My startup contributes to the Gender equality goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification for my startup

At Zero Hunger Initiative we address the specific barriers faced by women and girls in agriculture. Through empowering women farmers, supporting women-led enterprises, promoting women in leadership, delivering gender-sensitive education, advocating for gender equality, ensuring gender inclusivity in projects, conducting research, and forming strategic partnerships, we make significant strides toward achieving gender equality. These efforts ensure that women and girls have equal opportunities to thrive and lead in the agricultural sector and beyond.

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

N/A

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

N/A

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

At Zero Hunger Initiative we collaborate with projects that create employment opportunities in the agricultural sector, such as community gardens, agribusiness ventures, and food processing units. Creating jobs in agriculture provides stable employment for individuals in rural and underserved areas. Our partnering projects have created over 1000 jobs, offering decent work and improving livelihoods. These jobs range from farming and harvesting to processing and marketing agricultural products. This approach has therefore promoted decent work and economic growth empowering women and youth, fostering value addition, advocating sustainable practices, building partnerships, and ensuring continuous improvement through monitoring and evaluation. These efforts collectively contribute to sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, providing decent work opportunities

02.09.01 My startup contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

3

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification for my startup

N/A

02.10.01 My startup contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification for my startup

We offer agricultural training programs that are accessible to all, including women, youth, and marginalized communities. These programs provide skills and knowledge in sustainable farming, agribusiness, and technology. y ensuring that our training programs are inclusive, we promote equal opportunities for all individuals to improve their livelihoods. Our programs have trained over 2500 youths from different communities in Kenya, empowering them to participate in the agricultural economy and reducing income disparities.

02.11.01 My startup contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

3

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification for my startup

N/A

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 train farmers in sustainable farming practices such as crop rotation, organic farming, water conservation, and integrated pest management. Sustainable farming practices reduce the environmental impact of agriculture and ensure long-term productivity. Our programs have trained over 150 farmers in sustainable techniques, leading to improved soil health, reduced chemical usage, and enhanced biodiversity on farms.

02.13.01 My startup contributes to the Climate action goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification for my startup

We train farmers in sustainable agricultural practices such as agroforestry, conservation tillage, organic farming, and integrated pest management. At Zero Hunger Initiative we also support the development and use of climate-resilient crops that are more tolerant to drought, heat, and pests. Sustainable agricultural practices reduce the carbon footprint of farming and enhance carbon sequestration. Our training programs have resulted to the adoption of practices that improve soil health, increase biodiversity, and reduce reliance on synthetic inputs. These practices help reduce carbon footprint and mitigate the effects of climate change.

02.14.01 My startup contributes to the Life below water goal

3

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification for my startup

N/A

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 promote reforestation and afforestation projects to restore degraded lands and increase forest cover. This includes planting native tree species and establishing community-managed forests. We also train farmers in sustainable land management practices such as agroforestry, conservation agriculture, and integrated soil fertility management. Reforestation and afforestation improve ecosystem services, sequester carbon, and enhance biodiversity. By supporting reforestation and afforestation, conserving biodiversity, combating desertification, promoting agroforestry, restoring degraded lands, encouraging sustainable agricultural practices, involving communities in conservation, raising awareness on ecosystem services, and implementing rigorous monitoring and evaluation, we ultimately contribute to the protection, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, ensuring a healthier planet and more resilient agricultural systems.

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

N/A

02.17.01 My startup contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

3

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification for my startup

N/A

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

4

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.

4

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.

4

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.

3

06.08 Justification for my startup

At Zero Hunger we innovate by addressing unmet needs and improving existing services. We provide agricultural training and support to youth, empowering them to tackle food insecurity sustainably. This approach responds to a demand for youth involvement in agriculture, a sector often overlooked. Our model enhances traditional agricultural practices, making them more appealing and viable for young people, thus improving on existing methods. By bridging this gap, Zero Hunger creates a new, impactful solution to food security while advancing youth empowerment and sustainable agriculture.

06.09 Competitive Analysis

Currently at Zero Hunger Initiative our main potential competitors include traditional NGOs, government agricultural programs, and other youth-focused agricultural initiatives. What sets us apart is our holistic approach, combining agricultural training with youth empowerment. Unlike traditional NGOs, we prioritize sustainable practices and long-term community engagement over short-term aid. Compared to government programs, we offer more tailored support and flexibility, catering specifically to youth and their needs. Additionally, our focus on innovation and technology sets us apart, ensuring that we stay relevant and impactful in a rapidly changing agricultural landscape.

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

actively promoting the role of female entrepreneurs in our community. We provide targeted support and training to women interested in agriculture and agribusiness, empowering them to start and grow their businesses. Additionally, we collaborate with local women's groups and organizations to create networking opportunities and access to resources for female entrepreneurs. By highlighting the success stories of female entrepreneurs and providing them with the necessary tools and support, we aim to inspire more women to pursue entrepreneurship and become leaders in the agricultural sector.