Uganda - Business creation project

Describe your project or startup in a few words

“GreenBriqs” Project focuses on developing a solar powered maize milling machine for local farmers which addresses challenges of limited access to grid power and frequent power outages which disrupt critical maize milling processes.

01.01 Describe your project in more detail

Since we are assured of at least 5 hours of sunlight per day, “GreenBriqs” Project focuses on developing a solar powered maize milling machine for local farmers which addresses challenges of limited access to grid power and frequent power outages hence disrupting critical maize milling processes important for local agriculture economies. By harnessing renewable solar energy, the milling machine ensures a reliable operation independent of grid power, reduction in operational costs associated with existing traditional milling practices and assurance to environmental sustainability since carbon emissions are lowered. The project is looking at a maize milling machine of 2 tones as it's milling capacity per day within the 8 working hours.

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

Lack of reliable access to electricity which hinders the productivity of maize milling, a very critical process in the chain of local agriculture economies leading to inefficiencies, increase in operational costs and environmental sustainability concerns associated with traditional milling practices. Developing a solar powered maize milling machine addresses this problem by providing a reliable and sustainable milling solution tailored to the needs of the local farmers.

01.03 Tell us the major benefits and/or advantages of using the product/service that your project intends to provide (at least 3).

Enhanced food security, environmental sustainability, holistic development, resilience to power outage, community capacity building and economic empowerment

01.04 Please describe who exactly your project is aimed at serving. Who are the targeted beneficiaries?

My primary target beneficiaries are the local farmers in rural areas with un reliable electricity access who rely on maize milling for food production and income generation. others are local entrepreneurs, community cooperatives, local authorities, development organizations, education institutions, environmental, energy organizations.

01.05 When did you start working on your project?

2024-03-01

01.06 How many other partners are associated with your business venture?

2

01.07 Among the other partners, how many are female?

1

01.08 Please describe the profile of each of the other partners (skills, experience, etc.)

Nakirijja Immaculate Director/ Secretary at Eimear Limited Marketing Officer at Bank of Baroda (U) Limited Economist by Profession Mulindwa Peter Director at Eimear Limited Computer Scientist by profession

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

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimbowa-tadius-8b3518142?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=android_app

01.10 Which industry best describes your project?

a) Energy (equipment, services, sustainable energy and fuel)

02.01.01 My project contributes to the No poverty goal

5

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification

By reducing maize milling costs and increase farmer income.

02.02.01 My project contributes to the Zero hunger goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification

Enhancing food security through reliable maize milling ensures a consistent food supply for the local communities.

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

5

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification

Access to fresh milled maize can improve nutrition and the overall health outcomes.

02.04.01 My project contributes to the Quality education goal

6

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification

by providing training on how to operate and maintain the milling machine can build local capacity and skills as well.

02.05.01 My project contributes to the Gender equality goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification

Empowering women farmers and entrepreneurs through access to technology and training which promotes gender equality.

02.06.01 My project contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

2

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification

02.07.01 My project contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification

Utilizing solar energy reduces reliance on fossil fuels hence providing clean, affordable power.

02.08.01 My project contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

6

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification

Creating jobs and boosting local economies through enhanced agriculture productivity and entrepreneurship.

02.09.01 My project contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

7 - Strongly Agree

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification

Introduction of a solar maize milling machine technology improves infrastructure and industrial capacity in rural areas.

02.10.01 My project contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

6

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification

By providing equitable access to technology and economic opportunities, this project helps reduce inequalities in rural communities.

02.11.01 My project contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

6

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification

By promoting sustainable agriculture practices contributes to the resilience and sustainability of rural communities.

02.12.01 My project contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification

By encouraging efficient use of resources and sustainable production processes.

02.13.01 My project contributes to the Climate action goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification

By reducing carbon emissions through solar power usage supports climate action initiative.

02.14.01 My project contributes to the Life below water goal

5

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification

By indirectly reducing reliance on diesel and petrol generators and decreasing pollution, the project can contribute to cleaner water sources hence benefitting aquatic life.

02.15.01 My project contributes to the Life on land goal

5

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification

Promoting sustainable agricultural practices helps to conserve terrestrial ecosystems.

02.16.01 My project contributes to the Peace justice and strong institutions goal

5

02.16.02 Peace justice and strong institutions - Justification

By fostering community collaboration and enhancing local government through cooperative management of the maize milling project, it contributes to stronger, more resilient institutions.

02.17.01 My project contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

5

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification

By emphasizing collaboration with local stake holders, NGOs, government agencies and international organizations fostering partnership to achieve this particular sustainable development goal.

05.01 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

05.02 The product/service we envision creating represents an entirely new type of product/service.

5

05.03 The product/service we envision creating could be described as a new technology.

5

05.04 The product/service we envision creating is an improvement on an existing product or service.

5

05.05 The product/service we envision creating could be described as an extension of a range of products or services.

3

05.06 The product/service we envision creating responds to a demand or need that has not been satisfied by other products/services.

7 - Strongly Agree

05.07 The product/service we envision creating is a new version of an old product/service.

4

05.08 Justification

GreenBriqs project focuses on developing a solar powered maize milling machine tailored for farmers in rural areas with unreliable electricity access. so since it uses solar energy, it addresses a persistent challenge oof persistent challenge oof frequent power outages that disrupt traditional milling operations. this ensures reliable processing, promotes economic empowerment by reducing operational costs associated with fossil fuels and grid power, emphasizes environmental sustainability by reducing on carbon emissions, incorporating technical innovation with the community collaboration, capacity building through training for local farmers and potential scalability to benefit other similar rural communities. So it supports long term sustainable development benefiting the economic and environmental well being of rural areas.

05.09 Who are your main potential competitors and what makes you stand out from them?

Diesel engine, Petrol engine and grid electricity powered maize milling machines. and what makes me stand out is that the maize milling machine is solar powered yet the other milling machines use fossil fuel and grid power which are unreliable. The outstanding characteristics of integrating economic empowerment, environmental sustainability and community collaboration.

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

Yes. I brought a female member on the board of directors in Eimear Limited. Eimear Limited is a registered private company limited by shares with three directors,1 female and 2 male.