Kenya - Startup under 3 years old

Describe your project or startup in a few words

CIRCULAR ECONOMY MODEL FOR SUSTAINABLE LIVESTOCK FEEDING. RUCOKIP Company Limited operates by Implementing Circular Economy Model where we acquire, repackage, preserve Brewers Spent Grains and other byproducts as alternative affordable livestock feeds

01.01 Describe your startup in more detail

At RUCOKIP COMPANY LTD, We offer a range of Animal Feeds, Protein Concentrates and Supliments to Dairy Farmers, Pig Farmers and Poultry Keepers. Our focus in this Challenge is on the Animal Feeds Section, Specifically where we Apply the Circular Economy Model by acquiring Brewers Spent Grains, Brewers Wet and Dry Yeast from Brewing Companies In Kenya and Uganda. We then repackage and preserve using special storage bags because spent gains require to be kept in anaerobic conditions to extend their longer shelve life and to enhance further microbial metabolism to take place. Through the manner in which we store and Preserve the products, It is worth noting that, we further our Circular Economy Model since we get our special "Silver bags" from Nuts Importing Firms who also regard these bags as wastes. Participating in this Challenge, gives us a Noble opportunity to further leverage impactful idea to harness the endless potential of Circular Economy Model and to make a difference.

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

Our enterprise tries to solve the following problems; 1. Averting Food Insecurity and Malnutrition by availing cheaper yet Nutritive feeds by enhancing affordability and boost productivity of livestock thus more food for families. 2. Reduce Environmental Pollution/ degradation by recycling/ reusing storage bags to preserve these products. Most of these products are stored in anaerobic conditions for preservation hence our need to go for special storage bags for which in this case we reuse plastic bags which would have polluted the environment. 3. Unemployment and Poverty reduction, section of our customers are low income earners who rely on livestock keeping to support their livelihoods. Our novel initiative comes in handy for them since they can get spent grains for their animals/birds affordably. 4. Gender Equity: Most of Women and Youth who are practicing livestock keeping are faced with affordability Challenge since other commercial feeds are way too expensive for them.

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

1.Enhaced Animal Nutrition leading to increased Animal Productivity hence good returns for the farmer. 2. Reduced Cost of feeding greatly reduces cost of Production leading to a happier and motivated farmer. 3. Assured Source if livelihoods, livestock keepers get good returns thus sustain their livelihoods. 4.Reduced Animal Diseases since most of these products have Medicinal Value. I.e Wet yeast/ Chachu. 5. Cleaner Environment; Our best practice is to use locally available materials especialy plastic packaging bags and plastic containers/ jerricans, hence we significantly contribute to keeping a Cleaner Environment. 6.Creation of Employment. Our model requires human capital for us to operate effectively and Optimally, expanding this model will definitely create hundreds of create job opportunities both directly and indirectly.

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

Circular Economy Enterprise serves all men and women who are directly engaged in livestock farming. We serve farmers from all walks who are engaged either in small scale or large scale farming as an economic activity. Poor rural farming communities faces a great challenge of affording feeds, that leads to under productivity and less returns from farming which contribute to rising poverty and food insecurity. Our products benefits everybody in the society including children who get their educational needs through proceeds of livestock. With regards to nutrition, Younger children in the society benefits from our products by getting Animal sourced proteins such as Eggs, Milk, Meat and so forth.

01.05 When was your company established?

2023-05-10

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 owner of business is my lovely wife ;Lydia Jeptoo. She is equally passionate about the Business and the model with which we operate with and gives the whole of her support in day-to-day running of the Business. Her skills in maintaining an impeccable customer relations is unmatched. Her ideas compliments mine very well and I attribute most of our successes and growth to her unwavering support.

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/cornelius.kipkoech.2024?mibextid=ZbWKwL

01.11 Which industry best describes your project?

b) Materials (agriculture, fishing, chemical products, construction materials, containers and packaging, metals and mining, paper and forest products)

02.01.01 My startup contributes to the No poverty goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification for my startup

Since our system is regenerative in nature, we offer the products at a much affordable prices and by doing so, we are heavily contributing to reducing poverty by letting the farmers take the concept of circular economy into their own hands. We are alleviating poverty by eliminating single use of Spent Grains popularly known as Machicha and plastic bags giving families a cheaper alternative to get an income from livestock farming which in turn affords them an decent living. The dairy sector which plays a significant role in the growing our GDP and strengthening this sector to a greater extend contributes to reducing poverty in both rural and urban communities.

02.02.01 My startup contributes to the Zero hunger goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification for my startup

By reducing wastage and enhancing longevity of brewers spent grains, One of Our primary objective is end hunger which is properly in line with UN Sustainable Development Goal of Zero Hunger. Within our area of operation, Over 95 per cent of People practice Dairy Farming as their main economic activity where over 700,000litres of is produced everyday. This is an indication that we play a pivotal role in enhancing this productivity that would in turn be consumed as food or used to purchase food.

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

This enterprise is designed to enable farmers get a a cost effective alternative ways of feeding their livestock whose final products such as Milk, Eggs, Meat would be consumed to supplement their diets. Malnutrition is one of the causes of ill-heath within in our Community and the most effective remedy to Malnutrition is the availability of quality Animal-Sourced Proteins and other essential nutrients such us iron found in milk, eggs etc.

02.04.01 My startup contributes to the Quality education goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification for my startup

Besides helping tackle the problems of pollution, Circular Economy can play a critical role in solving other complex challenges such as unequal education system. The nexus being Circular Economy as enabler and promoter of access to Quality Education and continuous lifelong learning. For quality Education to be achieved, resources are involved, and these resources are found by an engaging in an activity that generates income, livestock keeping being of them, the pivotal role we play in enhancing quality education cannot be gain-said. For the past one year, This Enterprise has been enabling families pay School fees for their children, from the proceeds of livestock, to which we offer them feeds. It is also worth to note that, we are promoting circularity by encouraging farmers to eco-designs skills and on demand production, recycling of post industrial wastes such as brewers spent grains.

02.05.01 My startup contributes to the Gender equality goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification for my startup

Over 30 per cent of our customers are women who actively participate in livestock farming to earn livelihoods. For ages, female farmers have been greatly disadvantaged by high cost of animal feeds but with Circular Economy and specifically our enterprise addresses this gender gap by enabling women who are low income earners to join the stage of food producing individuals.

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

Generally, a cleaner environment free from industrial wastes elevates availability of clean water and sanitation to all. Our model greatly reduces dumping of brewers grains and plastic bags that would have contributed to water pollution. For instance, we get our brewers spent Grains and yeast from two brewing Companies based in Kisumu, Kenya and in Jinja, Uganda both of these factories are located near one of Africa's largest water bodies; The Lake Victoria which is a source of drinking water to tens of countries in the Horn of Africa. If these factories were to unilaterally dump their wastes, then over 500 Million people who rely on this important water facility would be affected both directly or indirectly.

02.07.01 My startup contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

5

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification for my startup

Most of the Dairy Farmers use Biogas from cow dung and other domestic wastes which reduces carbon emissions to the atmosphere. Statistics show that close to 1.6 million households including rural communities in Kenya use bio-digesters which translates to a consumption rate of 200- 450 L/ h of biogas. this demonstrates that there is unending opportunities for accelerated development through Circular Economy and being a key player in various livestock value chain, we are playing a significant role enhancing affordability of clean energy.

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 Strictly obligated to principles of decent work and seek to empower all our employees and partners to achieve economic growth. We do these by timely paying commensurate wages to all our staff and giving them Chrismass/ end year bonuses in order to motivate and appreciate the efforts they put into the business. By doing this we empower them not only economically but socially to achieve their desires. On the other hand, we strongly discourage uncouth practices such as child labor, forced labor and discrimination in any form by adhering to local laws and regulations as set out in the Kenyan Constitution.

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 work collectively with other partners on infrastructure development to support regional and national development. We also work collectively with other Companies such as East Africa Breweries Limited and Nile Breweries in Uganda to spur innovation or value addition where applicable.

02.10.01 My startup contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification for my startup

Most of the societies we live in is Male-dominated and specifically in the context of the society i operate from, we reduce these pervasive inequalities by offering special and differential treatment of vulnerable groups to get access to our products. Affirmative action groups such as Women, Youth and Pwds often get Price Cuts and Special Discounts in a bid to motivate them to practice livestock rearing and earn an income like Men who typically have a vantage position. This move adequately reduces income inequalities as well as promoting Universal Social and Economic inclusion. Moreover, Our current and future fiscal, social and employment policies are also geared towards addressing inequality gaps, and end discrimination.

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

In Realization of this Goal, we actively participate in promoting sustainable cities by adhering to local Government Rules and Regulations such as Garbage and Waste Management Guidelines, Town/Urban Planning Guidelines and observing Public Health Rules and Regulation as we as payment of all requisite Business Permits and Licenses. We also actively participate in local Public Participation Fora and contribute positively in taking informed Policy directions that help in reducing issues such as Insecurity, Early Pregnancies, Gender Based Violence, Sexual exploitation, Child labor that are rampant in both Rural and Urban Communities. we firther participate in social welfare activities such as fund raisers and advocacy forums to support needy situations such as Raising School fees for the needy learners and supporting Sick People and bereaved families.

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

This is the most important Goal for us as an enterprise operating under Circular Economy Model as it is the pillar with which we operate, by reducing waste through recycling and reuse. we actively promote universal understanding of sustainable lifestyles. Being conscious of what our packaging, We use eco-bags for packaging, reuse plastic containers to package our products and further encourage customers to bring them back the next time they come for more products.

02.13.01 My startup contributes to the Climate action goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification for my startup

We reuse paper bags to repackage reusable products. We also participate in tree planting campaigns to increase our National forest Cover.

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

To reduce Marine Pollution, we practice reusage and discourage wrong disposal of plastics that end up in the water bodies. We also participate in Garbage Collection exercises to reduce the negative impacts it has on Aqua life.

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

Promoting a sustainable use of ecosystems and preserving biodiversity is the key to our survival. In realization of this, we participate in cleaning of local parks and rivers and forests. We discourage use of pesticides to protect and sustain the quality of soil. Our Apiculture Section provides a lease of life to endangered bees who are facing an enormous threat occasioned by use chemicals while providing our farmers an alternative Source of income from bee keeping.

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

7 - Strongly Agree

02.16.02 Peace Justice and Strong Institutions- Justification for my startup

By taking part in Crucial Democratic Processes such as elections, Signing and participation in public petitions to push worthy and fundamental issues and speaking up and calling human rights violations whenever they happen. My enterprise is an active Member of the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry where we champion and advocate for an array of issues that promotes peaceful, just and ethical trading activities. We always endeavor to abide by all regulatory frameworks that we are legally obligated to, EG Payment of Taxes and compliance with set Quality and Health Standards.

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

By partnering with other entities in East Africa, we make real the dream of East African Community Integration through Commerce and Intercultural exchange Promoting export of products from developing Countries. Also through this Cross-Border trading, we are putting into practicality free trade policy across the region contributing to global Macroeconomic stability and Policy Coherence to enhance sustainable development.

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

1 - Strongly Disagree

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

5

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.

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.

7 - Strongly Agree

06.08 Justification for my startup

Owing to the perishability of our product, many customers had to avoid using spent grains for lack of knowledge on how to keep it fresh and consumable for a longer time. Even though, the product may not be new, it's usage and economic value had gone down until I introduced the new preservation method of using locally available and re-cycled/ reused bags that we source locally. I believe that the storage idea of storing brewers Spent Grains in anaerobic conditions is a new technology that elongates it's shelve life and adds value. As to whether the product responds to the demand in the market, I give it a resounding yes since the uptake of the product indicates an unending demand due it's Nutritional value and the cost.

06.09 Competitive Analysis

Most of my competitors who have tried doing this business have ended up leaving the Business since they could find a way of preserving the highly perishable product. As the saying goes, necessity is the mother of invention, I found out how highly the demand for this product was and I decided to devise means of satisfying this demand by introducing the new preservation method which worked out so well and have seen me become the most reliable seller of these product within my region. Secondly, we have maintained an impressive connection with my clients to the extent that we have won their loyalty which is actually priceless to us as an entrepreneurs. Therefore this simple innovation, coupled with an impeccable bussines ethic and connection to our clients have made me stand out from my competitors. We coined the slogan to be "Quality is Our Other Name", to underscore our commitment to offering quality products to our customers at all time.

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

I encourage female to take part in farming activities such as poultry keeping to generate income and enable them to do business by giving them all the necessary ideological support, mentorship and in some occasions granting them some financial support as well as giving them business linkages to potential suppliers and customers.