Kenya - Startup under 3 years old

Describe your project or startup in a few words

With 65% of Africa's cropland affected by severe degradation due to human exploitative activities, we have developed a closed-loop system of food production where resources are utilized effectively, waste decreased and environmental concerns are lessened.

01.01 Describe your startup in more detail

We have developed an economic model that seeks to reduce waste& pollution, increase resources efficiency and advance sustainability. We practice waste management to produce organic fertilizer that is a blend of crop, livestock and market waste, processed through vermicomposting and fermentation units, targeting smallholder farmers in Bungoma County struggling with low production per acreage due to poor quality soils & striga weed, at a pocket friendly price and sustainable cost. We practice regenerative farming methods & sustainable systems in production of assorted African Leafy Vegetables targeting local vendors and homesteads within Kanduyi Subcounty. This helps in cutting down costs of production enhancing circularity& sustainability, boosts biodiversity, improves soil health by increasing soil fertility, water retention and microbial activity thus increasing yields and strengthen climate resilience.

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

Land degradation- 65% of Africa's cropland is affected by land degradation which impacts food security and livelihoods particularly for smallholder farmers who rely on this land for their crops and income. Environmental sustainability- The current practices in the global agriculture involves overreliance on synthetic fertilizer, agrochemicals and machinery which has led to soil degradation resulting to very poor-quality soils. Soil health- As a result of continuous use of synthetic fertilizer, agrochemicals and machinery, this has led to the development and spread of striga weed which has degraded nitrogen off the soil resulting to low productivity per acreage affecting small holder farmers in the rural. Food security & Nutrition- Due to reduced productivity per acreage, this has led to low yields rendering households' food insecure and as a result, families cannot afford nutritious food per day resulting to malnutrition.

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

Our competitors are bigger companies with a wider distribution network targeting large scale farmers whereas our eco-friendly organic fertilizer and regenerative solutions targets smallholder farmers in Bungoma county struggling with striga weed and low production per acreage. Our organic liquid fertilizer has proven to enhance production per acreage (up to 38%) and support farmers in adopting responsible practices at a pocket friendly price. Unlike synthetic fertilizer that deposits excess nitrogen leading to poor quality soils, we provide solutions that enhance soil health by improving soil fertility, water retention, and soil microbial activity thus increasing yields, halts and reverses the adverse effects of soil degradation.

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

Smallholder farmers struggling with soil health, low production per acreage due to poor quality soils resulting from land degradation.

01.05 When was your company established?

2022-03-17

01.06 Are you already selling your product/service?

Yes

01.07 How many other owners are there within your startup?

2

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.)

Phelista Okeyo- A highly skilled Public Relations officer with over 10 years' experience in executing Public Relations strategies. As a marketing executive, Phelista is committed to provide the organization with positive interactions with our clients to maintain reputation, strengthen consumer loyalty, establish credibility fostering relationships and devising branding strategies.

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

https://ke.linkedin.com/in/tuuti-urban-farm-79a020228

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

Through involvement and participation of youth and women, our startup has created employment directly and indirectly within the community which enables them to earn a living and as a result, this improves their living standards. We are commited to build the resilience of the poor and those in vulnerable situations and reduce their exposure and vulnerability to climate-related extreme events and other economic, social and environmental shocks and disasters

02.02.01 My startup contributes to the Zero hunger goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification for my startup

Our mission is to create sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase food production for our ever-growing population without damaging the universe, help maintain ecosystems and strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change. We produce and use organic fertilizers which helps in cutting down costs of production by 35% and enhance production up to 38%, which helps increase food security at household level combating malnutrition. We supply nutritious African Leafy Vegetables to homesteads and local vendors to increase access to nutritious food within Bungoma.

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

Organic farming involves the use of natural resources and methods in food production minimizing the use of synthetic fertilizers and agrochemicals, whose residues are toxic to humans and the environment. Production and use of liquid organic fertilizer helps minimize over reliance on synthetic fertilizer which deposits excess nitrogen in the soil forming Nitrous oxide, which is a very harmful greenhouse gas. Our target is to substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals, air, water and soil pollution and contamination.

02.04.01 My startup contributes to the Quality education goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification for my startup

We offer guided farm tours, capacity building, training attachment, internship and apprenticeship opportunities to train smallholder farmers and food security champions on the benefits of regenerative agriculture and clean food production with an intention to substantially increase the number of youth and women with relevant skills for sustainable food production and financial success.

02.05.01 My startup contributes to the Gender equality goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification for my startup

Our startup has created employment opportunities for women directly and indirectly, working at different departments in the farm, enhancing the use of enabling technology, to promote the empowerment of women and end all forms of discrimination against all women.

02.06.01 My startup contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification for my startup

We harvest rainwater through roof catchment and store in a reservoir for farm and domestic use during the dry seasons of the year with a goal to substantially increase availability and efficient use in both farming and domestic needs to ensure sustainable supply of freshwater and reduce the intensity of suffering from water scarcity.

02.07.01 My startup contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification for my startup

Our systems- irrigation, lighting and egg incubation entirely depend on solar energy that we harness using solar panels and store in batteries with an aim to substantially increase the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency, increase reliability and cut down costs of production enhancing sustainability.

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

We have created equal opportunities for both genders to work in different departments of the farm to promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all with a goal to achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation, reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education or training, sustain per capita economic growth in accordance with national circumstances and make sure that everybody gets the benefits of entrepreneurship and innovation.

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 have created a functioning and resilient systems using innovative sustainable technologies in mechanization of farm equipment, automation of systems and intertwining Internet of Things to harmonize our processes of production. We make use of locally available materials in construction of our farm structures e.g constructed our growhouse and goat house using bamboo. We practice crop and livestock integration where the waste from animal unit is used as an important raw material in the crop unit and from the crop unit, products that cannot meet market standards are fed to the animals. Our goal is to support domestic technology, home-based solutions and industrial diversification, build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation. This will bring prosperity, create jobs and make sure that we build stable and prosperous societies across the globe.

02.10.01 My startup contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification for my startup

Our startup has created employment and training opportunities among the youth regardless of gender, race, religious beliefs or economic status to ensure equality and prosperity for everyone to improve self-sufficiency and reduce inequalities of outcome, eliminating discriminatory practices in farming and promoting and action in food security.

02.11.01 My startup contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification for my startup

We practice waste management to produce organic fertilizer which is a blend of waste from crops, livestock and market/municipal waste through vermicomposting and fermentation of organic matter to reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities by paying special attention to air quality.

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 practice vermicomposting of market and kitchen waste to produce organic fertilizer that aids in cutting down cost of production, decent disposal of organic waste, reduce food waste and protect the quality of air. We practice crop and livestock integration ensuring the products from crop unit that do not meet market standards are fed to animals and waste from the animal unit is used as an important raw material in crop production, enhancing complete circularity.

02.13.01 My startup contributes to the Climate action goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification for my startup

With a mission to strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards, we have integrated the following climate change measures: We harvest and store rainwater for use during the dry season reducing overreliance on rainfed agriculture since rainfall patterns have become unpredictable. We practice crop and livestock integration to manage waste, reducing carbon footprints and methane emissions from livestock waste. We practice integrated pest management to reduce excessive use of agrochemicals which increase greenhouse gas emissions. We produce and use organic fertilizers to conserve soil biodiversity, increase fertility and reduce excess nitrogen deposit in the soil which is a harmful greenhouse gas in form of Nitrous oxide. We hold capacity building forums to spread the awareness and measures to combat the adverse effects of climate change within our community.

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 practice, promote and encourage regenerative and sustainable agricultural practices, which include integrated pest management, crop and livestock integration and the use of organic fertilizer to reduce overreliance on agrochemicals and synthetic fertilizer which increase acidity to the soil and toxicity to aquatic ecosystem, with an aim to reduce marine pollution.

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 practice waste management to produce organic fertilizer, which is a blend of crop, livestock and market waste, processed through vermicomposting and fermentation, targeting smallholder farmers in Bungoma County struggling with low production per acreage due to poor quality soils & striga weed, at a pocket friendly price and sustainable cost. We practice regenerative farming methods & sustainable systems in production of assorted African Leafy Vegetables targeting local vendors and homesteads within Kanduyi Subcounty. This helps in cutting down costs of production enhancing sustainability, boosts biodiversity, improves soil fertility, water retention, reduces erosion, increases yields, improves food security at household level, enhancing supply of healthy and nutritious food and strengthens climate resilience, with an aim to reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss

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

7 - Strongly Agree

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification for my startup

65% of Africa's arable land has been affected by degradation and therefore this is a huge problem to be solved by individual efforts. We have partnered with smallholder farmers and other market players across Bungoma County to share the responsibility of applying solutions for addressing the problem of degradation, low production per acreage, water retention and protection of biodiversity. We have created partnership with local vegetable vendors and homesteads for supply of nutritious African Leafy Vegetables to promote food security and combat malnutrition at household levels. We promote and use sustainable technologies to promote the development, transfer, dissemination and diffusion of environmentally sound technologies in our daily operations on favorable terms, with a goal of minimizing waste, reduce greenhouse gas emissions

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.

7 - Strongly Agree

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.

7 - Strongly Agree

06.08 Justification for my startup

Unlike the old linear economy which has a "take-make-dispose" structure, our circular and regenerative model focuses on optimizing resource utilization, minimizing waste, and fostering sustainable food production with an aim to keep supply chain in a closed loop of maximizing product life. Our circular economy model reduces waste build up preventing pollution and preserves vital nutrients by recycling organic waste- crop residues, food scraps, livestock and market waste. This regenerative system helps to eliminate waste & pollution, higher resilience to climate change, increased biodiversity, improved soil health, increased food security for our ever-growing population and improved financial gains for smallholder farmers in Western Kenya.

06.09 Competitive Analysis

We mainly face competition from Yara EA Limited and Elgon Kenya Ltd who are bigger companies with a wide distribution network targeting large scale farmers whereas our eco-friendly organic fertilizer and regenerative systems targets smallholder farmers in Western Kenya struggling with striga weed and low production per acreage due to poor quality soils. Unlike synthetic fertilizer that deposits excess nitrogen leading to acidic soils and increased greenhouse gas emissions, we have developed a system that enhances circularity and sustainability, improved soil health, boosts biodiversity, and strengthens climate resilience. Our circular and regenerative system of production involves elimination of dependency on synthetic fertilizer and agrochemicals which increase costs of production hence digging into profits. Adoption of our systems and methods of production therefore increases profitability and general farmers' economy.

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

We offer free training, mentorship and apprenticeship opportunities to women interested in agriculture and climate action. We do this through sharing our own experiences to offer advice on specific challenges they are facing. We help them connect with their peers, through networking events, online platforms, collaborate a project so that they can learn from each other. For those in practice, we support them by buying and marketing their products, what we don't produce at our farm.