Senegal - Business creation project

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Fartobi is a digital marketplace solution that brings together senegalese farmers with buyers to facilitate the sale of their products and improve market access. We value farmers, promote sustainable practices, and support rural growth.

01.01 Describe your project in more detail

Our project, Fartobi, aims to create a digital marketplace that connects local Senegalese farmers with consumers, both nationally and sub-regionally. We provide a platform where farmers can list their non-perishable agricultural products, set their prices, and reach a wider audience. Fartobi addresses critical challenges faced by farmers, including market access, price transparency, and logistical support. We offer training to farmers on best practices and partner with local cooperatives to ensure a steady supply of high-quality products.

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

Local farmers face significant challenges, including selling and moving their products, accessing new customers, and lacking information on market prices. Agricultural cooperatives encounter similar difficulties, compounded by the lack of resources to export their products or access agricultural equipment offers. Agricultural equipment distributors struggle to reach a large number of producers to expand their offerings. Buyers, on the other hand, find it difficult to access agricultural product offers with confidence and security from producers. To address these challenges, how can we effectively and efficiently connect local farmers (sellers) and buyers (consumers) to facilitate sales on a national and sub-regional scale ?

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

Market Access: Fartobi will enable Senegalese farmers to sell their products directly to consumers, thus expanding their customer base and reducing post-harvest losses through efficient distribution channels. Transparency and Trust: The platform ensures transparent and secure transactions, strengthening trust between farmers and buyers through precise sales tracking. Sustainable Agricultural Practices: Fartobi encourages environmentally friendly agricultural practices, contributing to resource conservation and long-term food security. Economic Growth: By facilitating market access, product pricing, and valuing farmers' work, Fartobi contributes to the economic development of rural areas in Senegal.

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

Our project aims to serve the following beneficiaries: Farmers: Local farmers, including smallholders and agricultural cooperatives, benefit by accessing a larger market through the platform. They can sell their products directly to consumers and access information on prices and market trends. Consumers: Consumers benefit from access to fresh, local agricultural products. They can conveniently purchase products via the platform, supporting local farmers and promoting food security. Agricultural Equipment Distributors: Agricultural equipment distributors can reach a larger number of farmers through the platform, expanding their customer base and increasing their sales. Buyers: Buyers such as restaurants, hotels, and retailers benefit from access to a diverse range of local agricultural products. Local Communities: The project supports the economic development and food security of local communities.

01.05 When did you start working on your project?

2024-12-01

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

2

01.07 Among the other partners, how many are female?

0

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

Abdoulaye SOW is a passionate web developer and creative IT engineer who specializes in transforming ideas into captivating digital experiences. He possesses expertise in creating dynamic and responsive websites using modern technologies and frameworks such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, Angular, React, and Laravel. Abdoulaye has strong problem-solving skills, effective team collaboration abilities, and experience managing projects from conception to deployment. His professional background includes filmmaker and graphic designer.

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?

h) IT (digital services, equipment and software)

02.01.01 My project contributes to the No poverty goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification

Our Project can contributes to the "No Poverty" goal by providing farmers with a platform to sell their products directly to consumers. This direct access to markets can help increase farmers' incomes, reduce poverty, and improve livelihoods, especially in rural areas where access to markets may be limited. By enabling farmers to receive fair prices for their products and access to a larger customer base.

02.02.01 My project contributes to the Zero hunger goal

6

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification

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

6

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification

02.04.01 My project contributes to the Quality education goal

5

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification

Our project can contribute to the Quality Education goal by empowering local farmers with knowledge and skills. Through workshops, training sessions, and online resources, farmers learn sustainable practices, financial literacy, and digital skills. This educational support helps them improve productivity, manage their businesses more effectively, and access new markets. Additionally, the platform can provide educational content for consumers, raising awareness about sustainable agriculture and healthy eating habits. By fostering a community of informed producers and consumers, Our project can promote lifelong learning and enhances the overall educational landscape in rural areas.

02.05.01 My project contributes to the Gender equality goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification

Our project can contribute to the gender equality goal by ensuring equal access to opportunities and benefits for both male and female farmers. By providing a platform for farmers to sell their products directly to consumers, regardless of gender, our project can help empower female farmers who may face barriers in accessing traditional markets. Our project can promote gender equality by providing training and resources that are accessible to all farmers, regardless of gender, and by encouraging equal participation and representation in agricultural activities. By promoting gender equality in agriculture, our project can help create a more inclusive and equitable society.

02.06.01 My project contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

4

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification

02.07.01 My project contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

4

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification

02.08.01 My project contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

7 - Strongly Agree

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification

Our project can contribute to the decent work and wconomic growth goal by creating employment opportunities and fostering economic development in rural areas. By connecting local farmers to consumers through our marketplace, we can help farmers increase their income and improve their livelihoods. This can lead to the creation of new jobs in agriculture, transportation, and other related sectors. Additionally, by promoting local products and supporting small-scale farmers, our project can stimulate economic growth in rural communities. Overall, our project can help create a more sustainable and inclusive economy, providing decent work and economic opportunities for many people.

02.09.01 My project contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

7 - Strongly Agree

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification

02.10.01 My project contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification

By providing a platform for local farmers to sell their products directly to consumers, we can helping to reduce the economic disparities that exist in traditional agricultural supply chains. This direct access to markets can empower small-scale farmers and marginalized communities by providing them with a fair and transparent platform to sell their products. By promoting fair trade practices and supporting local producers, our project can help reduce inequalities within the agricultural sector and contribute to more equitable economic growth.

02.11.01 My project contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

5

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification

Our project can contribute to the sustainable cities and communities goal by promoting local economic development and strengthening the connections between urban and rural communities. By linking local farmers with consumers, our platform can reduce reliance on long and unsustainable supply chains, additional, our project can help create more resilient and self-sufficient communities in terms of food security. By promoting sustainable agricultural practices and raising consumer awareness of environmental issues, your project can also foster the development of more sustainable lifestyles within cities and 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 providing a digital marketplace for locally produced goods, our project can encourages consumers to purchase products that are grown sustainably and with lower environmental impact. Additionally, the project can implement measures to minimize food waste by facilitating better inventory management and matching supply with demand more accurately. Educational initiatives can inform both producers and consumers about the benefits of responsible consumption and sustainable production techniques. By fostering a direct connection between farmers and consumers, Our project supports a more sustainable and environmentally friendly food system.

02.13.01 My project contributes to the Climate action goal

4

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification

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

4

02.16.02 Peace justice and strong institutions - Justification

02.17.01 My project contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification

Our project can contribute to the partnerships for the goals by fostering collaboration and partnerships among various stakeholders in the agricultural sector. By providing a platform that connects farmers, cooperatives, distributors, and buyers, our project can facilitate the creation of networks and partnerships that promote sustainable agriculture and rural development.

05.01 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

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.

7 - Strongly Agree

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

3

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.

5

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

4

05.08 Justification

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

Our main competitor is MLOUMA, What distinguishes us from them is that only non-perishable products will be available on our marketplace to minimize risks.

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

no