South Africa - Startup under 3 years old

Describe your project or startup in a few words

EGGSTRAVAGANT GRAZERS is a project specializing in producing fresh poultry products by supplying consumers with chicken meat and eggs.

01.01 Describe your startup in more detail

The business operates from a farm in the rural North-West Province in South Africa. The business aims to provide customers with a good source of protein that is affordable and healthy by selling chicken meat and eggs. We raise Broiler chickens from 1 week old until they are 6 weeks old when they are grown enough to be sold for consumption, whilst Layer chickens are grown for the production of eggs. What is interesting to note is that the chicken waste will be mixed with recycled sunflower husks to create manure or compost for future use on the farm when we start planting.

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

A study in 2023 by Oxfam South Africa revealed that millions of people in South Africa are facing food insecurity, thus meaning a growing number of people are suffering from lack of food and hunger due to food being expensive and unavailable to many. As a way to be part of a system that tries to alleviate the social and economic burden of the country, Eggstravagant Grazers aims to supply fresh, affordable, and accessible sources of protein, which will result in our people receiving adequate nutrition on a daily through our products. Secondly, the business aims to equip the youth with basic knowledge of materials related to subsistence farming by allowing them to utilize land not used on the farm.

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

1. Supporting a business that aims to improve its community's living standards, education, and health. 2. Both our chicken meat and eggs provide lots of high-quality proteins. 3. The business does not intent on causing any damage to the environment as it strives to recycle all waste material on the farm by means of converting into manure.

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

The main target market of Eggstravagant Grazers is every household that consumes produce from commercial poultry farms, be it chicken or eggs. Additionally, the food industry is the second most targeted beneficiary of our product. Lastly, we have positioned our business to attract consumers of chickens not just in the North-West but other provinces as well.

01.05 When was your company established?

2024-06-07

01.06 Are you already selling your product/service?

No

01.07 How many other owners are there within your startup?

0

01.08 Among the other owners, how many are female?

0

01.09 Please describe the profile of the other owners within your startup (skills, experience, etc.)

N/A

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

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

As stated above, this startup, being focused on agricultural activities, aims to ensure adequate provision of affordable poultry products in rural areas and beyond. Additionally, as the production takes place on a farm, some part of the unused land will be availed to the youth to use for them to learn more about growing vegetables,

02.02.01 My startup contributes to the Zero hunger goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification for my startup

Teaching young people the basic techniques of subsistence farming strengthens their knowledge of providing for themselves and their families in the long run. Secondly, by employing more women on the farm, this strategy will ensure that knowledge is extended beyond the workplace as women can easily transfer knowledge to their communities through information sharing. In essence, the business aims to alleviate poverty and inequality, enhancing food production and minimizing food waste activities

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

6

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification for my startup

Because our product will be consumed by people of almost all ages, it is firstly important that we operate and ensures that our chickens are raised in an environment that is adequately managed by preventing dehydration, starvation, injury, and diseases. In return, this means our products prioritize good health and well-being by supplying fresh meat and nutritious eggs that strengthen muscles and support healthier bones, guaranteeing that purchased products originate from a farm that emphasizes animal care.

02.04.01 My startup contributes to the Quality education goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification for my startup

As previously mentioned, on several occasions, youth from the community will be taken to learn more about subsistence farming, where a portion of land will be given to practice as required. This training will not only be given to the youth as more women from the community will be empowered in agricultural activities. To a certain extent, the business will sometimes partner with the Department of Social Development on their projects, which aim at rehabilitating specific individuals from society when the opportunity arises.

02.05.01 My startup contributes to the Gender equality goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification for my startup

The Agricultural Sector in South Africa is dominated by males, and I, as the sole director of this business, decided to start this business and hire/work with more women so that they can excel in this industry, thus reducing the idea that women cannot dominate in this industry. Therefore, I firmly believe this opportunity will ensure that more women, primary school children (to some degree), and youth participating in this project will have equal access to opportunities.

02.06.01 My startup contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

5

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification for my startup

The farm is in a somewhat secluded area and has a bit of a challenge to attain clean municipal water through running taps. However, the farm does have a water supply through a borehole installed on the farm. The local municipality frequently delivers fresh water which is put in buckets on the farm, A Clean sanitation system is one of the technicalities that still needs to be installed on the farm as there is less access to a modernized system of sanitation

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

The farm is well equipped with electricity even though it operates from a rural area. Our coops are also powered with electricity, allowing the proper production and raising of these birds easily. This then entails that all those who operate on the farm have access to clean energy that is solely provided by ESKOM

02.08.01 My startup contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

6

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification for my startup

As the South African Labour Relations Act requires that all permanently employed be registered, the business will ensure that all permanent staff are registered for the Unemployment Insurance fund and in disability funds. Employees will regularly also be empowered by being taken to training to enhance their effectiveness, thus promoting the opportunity to be fully efficient, earn a decent salary, and contribute towards economic growth.

02.09.01 My startup contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

3

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification for my startup

The agricultural sector does not present the opportunity to access resources that allow inclusivity and innovation easily. The business will, therefore, have to gradually increase production, thus allowing it to grow economically to eventually use resources that present innovation. One thing, however, is that certain practices on the farm allow for workers to come up with ways that allow creativity and innovation in a way that works for them. This approach will thus allow everyone working on the farm to learn a lot from each other and will stimulate innovation.

02.10.01 My startup contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification for my startup

Employing more women on the farm, this strategy will ensure the alleviation of inequality within a sector that is mostly dominated by men. As the company grows and partnerships are made with other big companies, the business will be able to expand and thus create more professional positions that will aim at being occupied by most females. This will result in the business practicing Employment Equity standards. This approach will also be documented in the business's employment policy.

02.11.01 My startup contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification for my startup

N/A

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

One of the core principles of our business is ensuring that the business can adhere to the Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act of South Africa to ensure stainable production patterns. The plan is to ensure that all waste produced during production is easily recyclable. The packaging material used will be bought from suppliers that promote compostable packaging. Through the various training and education seminars the business plans to have, participants will also be taught to use eggshells as fertilizer when planting vegetables. By partnering with a local zoo, some excess chickens can be donated to such places to dispose of these chickens as a way to avoid dumping the meat whilst it could be used to feed other animals.

02.13.01 My startup contributes to the Climate action goal

3

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification for my startup

N/A

02.14.01 My startup contributes to the Life below water goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification for my startup

N/A

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

The business operates in a secluded area which is far from human life. Our operations do not affect any human life through its operation but rather ensure good nutrition. The waste from the animals produced will be safely used to enhance the soil later used for plantation, thus combating the destruction of the environment through proper disposal of chicken waste. To constantly ensure the proper use of the business's land, continuous research and engagement will be sought through environmental projects to avoid further destruction of the environment.

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

For the longest time, the agricultural industry in South Africa has always been an area of expertise for a certain group/race of people, which extends to matters related to land. Regardless of its size and capacity, this business can build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions that will enhance the livelihoods of community members of colour. As the South African constitution indicates that "everyone has the right of access to sufficient food and that every child has the right to basic nutrition", my business will through its operations add on to the set basic human rights thus promoting peace justice and strong institutions.

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

Due to the high impact potential to society that my business has, this business does contribute to the partnership for the goal. This can be seen when the local government offers grants and sustainability support to farmers, especially the youth, as well as the involvement of private companies in this kind of industry. This business has the potential to draw in the Department of Social Development's support by using it to collaborate on other matters that affect the community. The business also has the potential to partner with any other business or company that aims at improving the livelihoods and environment at large.

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.

1 - Strongly Disagree

06.03 The product/service could be described as a new technology.

1 - Strongly Disagree

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.

1 - Strongly Disagree

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.

1 - Strongly Disagree

06.08 Justification for my startup

N/A

06.09 Competitive Analysis

Big Retail Stores like Boxer, Shoprite, and Pick n Pay. What makes me stand out from my competitors is that my business allows customers to buy directly from the producer at affordable prices, thus allowing them to buy in bulk and have their products delivered to their preferred location. Secondly, our business can sell its products where most customers are based (townships). Through our competitive prices that don't involve the middle man, we can also supply to other local supermarkets where most customers buy their daily essential needs. Lastly, our business operates within a community whose socioeconomic standards are well understood by the business, and this gives us the advantage of being directly involved in community engagements on a deeper level thus enhancing our ability to become part of the economic sustainability of our customers.

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

Not at the moment, only once the business has fully started