Uganda - Business creation project

Describe your project or startup in a few words

FarmLife Discoveries harnesses technology to connect farmers, agro-tourists and students while providing valuable resources and opportunities for growth and learning within the agricultural sector.

01.01 Describe your project in more detail

FarmLife Discoveries is a Social Venture that bridges the knowledge gap in the agricultural sector by promoting farmer to farmer learning by connecting them through a digital platform where they can access information on various farms and book visits online. We also empower farmers by linking them to input providers and buyers for their products. In the education sector, we offer valuable field placements for students in the agricultural sector by allowing them to access farms with ease.

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

Knowledge on enterprise mix and sustainable farming practices is a key factor for the success of any farm. Normally, farmers prefer to learn from fellow farmers. However, they face a challenge in accessing information and scheduling farm visits for learning purposes. They lack access to timely and accurate information about the numerous agricultural farms across the country where they can learn from. Therefore, it is difficult for them to plan their visits effectively.

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

1. Broad Farm database with reliable information on their offerings 2. Access to up to date information on various farms and their offerings. 3. Quick, easy and cheaper booking services online 4. Farmer to Farmer learning of sustainable agricultural practices. 5. Special access packages for students 6. Direct linkage of farmers to input suppliers

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

Farmers who are willing to learn and apply sustainable agricultural practices from other successful farmers around the country. Students who would like to access better enterprises for their academic experiences and develop their careers.

01.05 When did you start working on your project?

2023-09-22

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

3

01.07 Among the other partners, how many are female?

2

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

One holds a certificate in Market research, and a bachelors in agriculture with 2 years of entrepreneurship experience. The other is an agricultural economist with an MsC in applied economics and an economics related PhD and over 15 years of experience. The other is a junior agricultural economist with a bachelor's in agriculture, a certificate in community service and in mental health. He has served as a prominent leader is his former institutions with certificates if recognition. He has a 6 years of business experience in agriculture related commodities. Finally, the fourth is a programmer with a bachelor's in computer science and has been in the field for over five years.

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

01.10 Which industry best describes your project?

l) Agriculture

02.01.01 My project contributes to the No poverty goal

6

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification

The startup will increase the income base for farmers through attracting more customers on their farms. After learning, farmers use the knowledge and skills to increase their farm productivity hence increase in the surplus for sale. It will also create employment opportunities for people both directly through employment, job recommendations and partnerships and indirectly through exposing farms enabling them to expand while creating more employment opportunities for people.

02.02.01 My project contributes to the Zero hunger goal

6

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification

The startup will build capacities to increase sustainable food production and general farm productivity through farmer to farmer learning, through market linkages to facilitate distribution of food to areas with food shortage, through recommending learning sessions for junior farmers from experienced farmers encouraging increase in production through exposure of farmers to more products and service customers.

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

4

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification

02.04.01 My project contributes to the Quality education goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification

The project enhances farmer to farmer learning of the best and sustainable agriculture practices.

02.05.01 My project contributes to the Gender equality goal

4

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification

02.06.01 My project contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification

02.07.01 My project contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

2

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification

02.08.01 My project contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

5

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification

It promotes sustainable and modern agriculture through farmer to farmer learning, proper students career development and increased farmer revenues

02.09.01 My project contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

4

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification

02.10.01 My project contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

3

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification

02.11.01 My project contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

4

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification

02.12.01 My project contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

4

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification

production is modern and sustainable because the organization teaches and encourages sustainability.

02.13.01 My project contributes to the Climate action goal

6

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification

The project is advocating for climate smart agriculture and environmentally friendly farms.

02.14.01 My project contributes to the Life below water goal

4

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification

02.15.01 My project contributes to the Life on land goal

4

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification

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

3

02.16.02 Peace justice and strong institutions - Justification

02.17.01 My project contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

3

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification

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

2

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

6

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

6

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

1 - Strongly Disagree

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

4

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

2

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

1 - Strongly Disagree

05.08 Justification

Much as farm visits exist, there is no platform for people to directly engage with farms before the actual visit. People travel long distances just to book a visit for study and other purposes. People still use traditional and rudimentary means to organize farm visits. However, Farmlife is a new one stop solution to all these because it has a well designed platform for people to schedule their meetings with farmers without having to travel first. The platform also connects people to many farms and so they choose from the best of the best.

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

Agro-tourism association of Uganda, Kenganda And Bris Agrotours. Farmlife harnesses technology to streamline its operations ensuring full time access to services and provides a wide range of farms to select from.

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

We have scheduled women and girl development projects in Agribusiness by providing the necessary expertise for knowledge and skills in different Agribusinesses