Kenya - Startup under 3 years old

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Cassava Kenya is an agribusiness company cultivating and processing high quality Cassava. We operate under a contract farming model in collaboration with small holder farmers. We do everything from cultivation to end market distribution of products.

01.01 Describe your startup in more detail

Cassava Kenya identifies and distributes free seeds to farmers willing to cultivate Cassava. We established the Cassava Kenya Farmer Group where we support these farmers by providing training sessions and guidance on commercial cassava farming through the 9 month cultivation period. We also guarantee a market for all farmers in our group. We harvest the farms and then either take the fresh Cassava to market or we process it into different bi products i,e flour, dried chips, crisps, preserved Cassava. We aim to be a large scale processor of Cassava in Kenya, as none currently exist. We focus on innovation towards value addition towards end products and on the farm too. We have developed preserved Cassava which can stay fresh for up to 30 days, (revolutionary) and we are currently doing product trials for Cassava biscuits and Cassava bread. We also setting up our Cassava propagation facility where we will be able to output high quality certified cuttings for distribution to farmers.

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

Cassava has a shelf life of 2 days, leading to high levels of losses and wastage through the supply chain. (limited market access) Combined with high yields, the low product value leaves small holder farmers with low incomes and inconsistent harvests. Cassava farmers have nowhere to take their produce as there is no established large scale processor/innovator of Cassava products within Kenya - and the local markets are only so many. With over 10 million tonnes of Cassava cultivated in Kenya each year, most goes towards wastage and local consumption of the crop, despite having multiple value addition possibilities upon processing. i.e flour, starch, crisps, pastries, breads, base for local foods, etc. (Leading to market diversification which is required as Kenya is over reliant on Maize farming) Introduction of commercial cassava farming can assist farmers mitigate yields and farm according to the market needs. There is currently a lack of education and training on this matter.

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

Creation of a new export market for Cassava in Kenya: We have developed a way to preserve Cassava from its natural 2 day shelf life, to up to 30 days, A 1500% increase. We are the first company in Kenya to introduce this and it will open up a new export market for Cassava in Kenya, which currently does not exist. Market reach: Due to limited shelf life, the product market reach has always been restrictive. Our preserved Cassava will increase market diversification as processors, horeca's and Cassava vendors will have more time to either sell, utilise or process the crop. Business model: With our progressive contract farming model, small holder farmers can be sure to receive guaranteed markets for their produce along with free seed distribution and training session. Farmers are incentivised with funding for cultivation. This leads to farmer empowerment and in turn, strengthens our farmer group. We currently have 50+ experienced Cassava farmers in our group as out growers.

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

Fresh Cassava: Local open air markets, flour mills, cereal markets, vegetable stores, supermarkets and Horeca's As a secondary staple food, Cassava is consumed among the general public as an alternate to maize due to its low price and ease of preparation. Along with millet and sorghum, Cassava is widely consumed in Kenya. Preserved Cassava: Food and beverage export market, starch processors, local processors and vendors. With a shelf life of 30 days, we will be able to export our Cassava to industries such as textile manufacturers and starch processors. Local and international vendors/clients are enabled to process Cassava on a large scale which was previously limited. Dried chips bi product: Introduction of the Flour Blending Initiative launched by the government and relevant stakeholders to diversify away from Maize flour in Kenya, and to other secondary staple flours. Due to this the Cassava dried chips and flour market is expected to rise significantly.

01.05 When was your company established?

2023-04-20

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.)

(I am the only owner/founder of my company Cassava Kenya Limited)

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

https://www.linkedin.com/in/shreykotecha/

01.11 Which industry best describes your project?

l) Farming

02.01.01 My startup contributes to the No poverty goal

4

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification for my startup

By providing some farmers in our group with monthly wages under certain guidelines to cultivate the crop on their own farm, acts as a great incentive and is empowering to the farmer. This secures decent work and wages for the farmers and their families. Through the work that we provide, workers have the chance to earn consistent wages for at least a year or more. As our farmer group has grown, some of our farmers don't use their incomes to buy expensive flours. They instead source their home food from the Cassava farm which is high yielding. Allowing them to use their funds elsewhere, or to simply save.

02.02.01 My startup contributes to the Zero hunger goal

6

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification for my startup

Cassava is a secondary staple crop in Kenya with the potential to curb food insecurity amongst rural populations. With high yields per acre, farmers require at least 1/4 acre of land to produce sufficient food for the average family for a 4-5 month period. Additionally, Cassava cuttings are very easy to propagate which can lead to large scale distribution of cuttings towards small holder farmers/communities. i.e 1 acre of ready to harvest Cassava can generate enough cuttings to plant at least 10 acres, Being drought tolerant also supports the crop to survive harsh conditions and is usually grown organically. The environmental benefits include improved soil structures for better food growing capacities and carbon sequestration. Its rich nutrients and high level of carbohydrates can serve as full meals to rural communities. The high calorie count in Cassava vs in other staple crops makes it a fundamental crop when fighting towards Zero Hunger.

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

2

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

02.04.01 My startup contributes to the Quality education goal

3

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification for my startup

Our start up is within agriculture and we do not focus on education directly. We do however focus on agricultural education towards small holder farmers. We provide training session to small holder farmers - such as propagating techniques, land preparation, weeding processes, disease identification, etc. Education is as important for small holder farmers as it is for the national youth.

02.05.01 My startup contributes to the Gender equality goal

2

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification for my startup

We have formed partnerships with 3 female farmer groups to cultivate and process Cassava into bi products. Through this, we have impacted and empowered over 35 female farmer since inception by cuttings distribution and market guarantees for their Cassava. At least half of the farmers in our farmers group are women farmers. We are currently in the process of developing a certain section of our sales force to womens only.

02.06.01 My startup contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification for my startup

02.07.01 My startup contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

2

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification for my startup

Lack of processing systems and markets for farmers, high levels of Cassava and Cassava bi products go to waste upon harvest. The Cassava itself, the Cassava peels and Cassava leaves can be used to generate valuable bio fuel for rural cooking stoves. (Also can be used for industries to as bio fuel where heating is required.) Though burning bio fuel may release harmful substances into the atmosphere. However, the high levels of waste are already responsible for the release of methane into the atmosphere regardless. Creation of bio fuel is sustainable as non renewables are nor burnt keeping overall emissions low. Not only is it sustainable, but due to high volumes that we process and currently forecast to process, will make the bio fuel very cheap and affordable for local distribution.

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

Cassava is a labour intensive crop, both when cultivating and conducting processing for value addition. 1 acre can generate at least 60 jobs. From seed propagation, land preparation and planting to harvesting and processing. We have provided over 800+ jobs since inception through our training programmes and farming operations. (allowing for the transfer of skills.) With a farmer earning 100,000 KSH per acre combined with job creation generated from that 1 acre, the economy of the rural community start to have an impact as purchasing power slightly increases across individuals positively affected. When done in scale, Cassava farming has the potential to contribute towards significant economic growth. In FY2023-2024 we successfully cultivated 40+ acres of Cassava through our farmer group. To educate local communities on the Cassava value chain, we have partnered up with local agronomists whom train farmers at their own time, and payment is made in regards to the number of farmers trained

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

We managed to increase the shelf life of Cassava from its natural 2 day life span to up to 30 days. A 1500% increase. Being the first company to introduce this, as a business we have first mover advantage, Its introduction can bring market diversification and lead to a new business industry, as the crop would be accessible to more people than ever before in Kenya. This leads to an increase in economic development and job creation. With longer shelf life, labs can experiment and innovate new bi-product based on the life cycle of the Cassava through its 30 day fermentation process. (the starch breaks down as the days go, allowing for new innovations/product capabilities when processing) Setting up key infrastructure to preserve Cassava of traditional farmers can drastically increase food security measures in East Africa as a whole.

02.10.01 My startup contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

2

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification for my startup

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

02.12.01 My startup contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

5

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification for my startup

We utilise the whole Cassava crop. The stems as cuttings, the leaves as animal feed, Cassava peels for bio fuel/animal feed, the Cassava for consumption. Traditional farming methods doesn't teach farmers to utilise the whole crop, and value addition needs to be taught for the potential of the crop to be realised. Upon doing so, farmers will understand commercial aspects of the crop and how to farm for profits. This can impact the quantity they farm, reducing waste levels directly. More so, when preserved Cassava is introduced to them. Through continuous value addition there a multitude of uses for Cassava in the local Kenyan market which are yet to be exploited. i.e Ugali, Crisps, Gluten free bread, etc. Through training farmers can understand what to grow and for what purpose. We avoid the use of chemical fertilisers through our cultivation process, allowing for safe and healthy planting sites.

02.13.01 My startup contributes to the Climate action goal

6

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification for my startup

From carbon sequestration to prevention of soil erosion growing Cassava in scale presents positive effects towards the environment. This helps support current food growing systems from degradation and allows for more diverse farming, as intercropping is also something we do. (nitrogen fixation) We utilise the whole Cassava plant through value addition upon harvest, saving on methane emissions from waste bi products. Cassava is a drought resistant crop and can thrive in harsh conditions and soil types. Better yet, it can grow organically and needs minimal water to grow. Working with Cassava as a food security crop is important as due to climate change, food systems need to be strengthened.

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

2

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification for my startup

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

2

02.16.02 Peace Justice and Strong Institutions- Justification for my startup

02.17.01 My startup contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

2

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification for my startup

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.

7 - Strongly Agree

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.

1 - Strongly Disagree

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

1 - Strongly Disagree

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.

7 - Strongly Agree

06.08 Justification for my startup

Preserved Cassava: Having first mover advantage on being able to take preserved Cassava to market, presents a wide range of opportunities. Having a 30 day shelf life as opposed to 2 days means, more local vendors, horecas, suparmakrets, and local distributors will be able to STOCK the product without the worry of spoilage and losses. Economically this will boost the economy due to the effects of market diversification of a secondary staple with a wider market reach. It also opens up export possibilities of Cassava in East Africa to first world countries, which has not been possible before in Kenya. This also leads to an increase in food security as more farmers will be more inclined to cultivate Cassava as opposed to Maize as storage would be a possibility for them through our company. This revolution can combat issues of food insecurity and the zero hunger agenda.

06.09 Competitive Analysis

We aim to be the first large scale processor of Cassava in Kenya. 80% of Cassava related products in Kenyan markets originate from Uganda, despite Kenya cultivating 10 million tonnes a year. Through education on commercial Cassava farming we can

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

Yes. My younger sister is a certified professional dancer in classical indian dance. She currently trains over 200 students to dance and she organises shows/concerts and events to showcase the dances across Kenya. With some initial interest/following to start online classes, we are currently developing an online platform to showcase her dances. A web app to serve as a booking platform, teacher training platform and a section to sell courses. With the inclusion of teacher training and the target audience being young women, this venture would serve to empower other young girls to venture out on their own and gain personal confidence through dance.