Ghana - Startup under 3 years old

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Wobil Technologies offers an innovative, portable rice thresher that boosts productivity for smallholder farmers with superior winnowing efficiency, minimal maintenance, and low grain breakage, promoting sustainable agriculture and poverty reduction.

01.01 Describe your startup in more detail

We are dedicated to transforming rice farming in Africa through innovative agricultural machinery. Our flagship product is a portable, multi-stage rice thresher designed to meet the unique needs of smallholder farmers. This advanced thresher enhances productivity by being 30 times more efficient than manual threshing, significantly reducing labor time and effort. It features superior winnowing efficiency with a 97% separation rate, minimal grain breakage at less than 0.3%, and requires less than three maintenance sessions per season, ensuring maximum reliability and uptime. Additionally, its design allows for easy navigation in challenging terrains, including muddy farmlands. Our thresher has already threshed over 500 tons of rice, generating substantial revenue for farmers and contributing to poverty reduction. By improving the quality and quantity of rice production, Wobil Technologies supports sustainable agricultural practices and economic development in rural communities.

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

The main problem Wobil Technologies aims to solve is the inefficiency and labor intensity of traditional rice threshing methods used by smallholder farmers. Manual threshing is time-consuming, labor-intensive, and often results in significant grain loss and breakage. Additionally, many existing threshing machines are costly, difficult to maintain, and not easily portable, making them inaccessible to small-scale farmers. By providing an affordable, low-maintenance, and portable rice thresher, we address these challenges, enabling farmers to increase their productivity, reduce grain loss, and improve their overall income and livelihood.

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

1. Our rice threshers outperform traditional methods, boosting productivity by up to 30 times. This allows farmers to process more rice in less time, significantly enhancing their yield and income. 2. The threshers are designed for minimal maintenance, requiring fewer repairs and downtime compared to other machines. This ensures consistent performance and reliability, reducing the overall cost of ownership for farmers. 3. With a high winnowing efficiency of up to 97% and less than 0.3% grain breakage, our thresher ensures that the rice grains are of high quality, increasing their market value and profitability for farmers. 4. We offer timely and efficient threshing services, allowing farmers to process their rice quickly and reliably during peak harvest periods. This ensures that crops are threshed at the optimal time, reducing post-harvest losses and maximizing the quality and market value of the rice.

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

Our startup's product is aimed at serving smallholder rice farmers who are often constrained by limited access to efficient agricultural machinery. These farmers typically rely on labor-intensive and time-consuming manual threshing methods, which result in low productivity, high grain losses, and reduced profitability. By providing them with our portable, efficient rice thresher, we empower these farmers to significantly increase their productivity, reduce post-harvest losses, and improve the quality and market value of their rice. Additionally, our services benefit agricultural cooperatives and rural communities by promoting sustainable farming practices, enhancing food security, and contributing to local economic growth.

01.05 When was your company established?

2021-10-01

01.06 Are you already selling your product/service?

Yes

01.07 How many other owners are there within your startup?

4

01.08 Among the other owners, how many are female?

2

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

John Wobil, CEO, brings over 10 years of experience as a rice farmer and electrical engineer, with expertise in agricultural mechanization and intellectual property management. Abena Charity Azogmi, our R&D Officer, contributes 5 years of experience in agricultural mechanization and holds a deep understanding of technological innovations in farming. Solomon Akutinga, our HRM, brings 7 years of experience as an agricultural economist and agribusiness expert, focusing on human resource management within agricultural settings. Gabriel Wobil, Director of Technical Operations, leverages 15 years of experience as a rice farmer and agricultural machinery expert, overseeing our technical operations and ensuring efficient agricultural machinery deployment. Together, our team combines practical farming knowledge with technical expertise to drive innovation and enhance agricultural productivity.

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

https://wobiltechnologies.com/

01.11 Which industry best describes your project?

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

02.01.01 My startup contributes to the No poverty goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification for my startup

Wobil Technologies strongly contributes to the goal of No Poverty (SDG 1) by enhancing the productivity and economic stability of smallholder farmers. Our innovative rice thresher increases crop processing efficiency, reduces post-harvest losses, and minimizes grain breakage, thereby improving farmers' yields and income. By offering affordable and efficient agricultural machinery, we empower farmers to increase their output and profit margins, lifting them out of poverty and promoting sustainable economic development in rural communities. This directly aligns with SDG 1's objective of eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions.

02.02.01 My startup contributes to the Zero hunger goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification for my startup

Wobil Technologies strongly contributes to the goal of Zero Hunger (SDG 2) by improving food security and agricultural productivity among smallholder farmers. Our portable rice thresher enhances the efficiency of threshing and winnowing processes, reducing post-harvest losses and ensuring more grains are available for consumption and sale. By increasing yield and preserving grain quality, we support sustainable agriculture practices that contribute to food availability and access. This directly aligns with SDG 2's objective of ending hunger, achieving food security, improving nutrition, and promoting sustainable agriculture.

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

3

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

02.04.01 My startup contributes to the Quality education goal

5

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification for my startup

Wobil Technologies contributes to Quality Education (SDG 4) by fostering skills development and knowledge enhancement among agricultural communities. While our primary focus is on agricultural productivity through technology, we also provide training and technical support to farmers on operating and maintaining our rice threshers. This empowers them with practical skills that improve their efficiency and income. By promoting technological adoption and training in rural areas, we contribute to building sustainable agricultural practices and enhancing the livelihoods of farming communities. This aligns with SDG 4's goal of ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all.

02.05.01 My startup contributes to the Gender equality goal

5

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification for my startup

Wobil Technologies promotes Gender Equality (SDG 5) by addressing barriers that female farmers often face in accessing agricultural services. We offer discounted prices for transporting produce after threshing, which directly supports female farmers who may have limited access to transportation resources. This initiative not only reduces their operational costs but also enables them to participate more actively in the agricultural value chain. By leveling the playing field and supporting women in agriculture, we contribute to empowering them economically and enhancing their social status within their communities. This aligns with SDG 5's aim of achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls.

02.06.01 My startup contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

3

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification for my startup

02.07.01 My startup contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

4

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification for my startup

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

. By replacing manual labor with efficient machinery, we enhance productivity and income stability for smallholder farmers. This shift not only reduces physical strain but also creates local employment opportunities across our value chain. From manufacturing and distribution to ongoing maintenance and support services, our operations contribute directly to job creation and skills development in rural communities. By empowering farmers and supporting local economies, we foster sustainable economic growth and contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

02.09.01 My startup contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

6

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification for my startup

By introducing advanced threshing solutions, we enhance efficiency and productivity in the rice farming sector. Our innovative machines not only streamline the threshing process but also minimize grain wastage and improve overall yield quality. This technological advancement is crucial in modernizing agricultural practices, promoting sustainable farming, and reducing reliance on traditional, labor-intensive methods. Moreover, our commitment to continuous research and development ensures ongoing improvement and adaptation to meet evolving agricultural needs. By investing in infrastructure for manufacturing, distribution, and service support, we bolster local industry capabilities and contribute to building resilient agricultural ecosystems. Thus, our startup plays a pivotal role in fostering innovation, improving infrastructure, and driving economic growth within the agricultural sector and beyond.

02.10.01 My startup contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

3

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification for my startup

02.11.01 My startup contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

3

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification for my startup

02.12.01 My startup contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

3

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification for my startup

02.13.01 My startup contributes to the Climate action goal

4

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification for my startup

02.14.01 My startup contributes to the Life below water goal

2

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification for my startup

02.15.01 My startup contributes to the Life on land goal

3

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification for my startup

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

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.16.02 Peace Justice and Strong Institutions- Justification for my startup

02.17.01 My startup contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

5

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification for my startup

Our startup strongly believes in partnerships for achieving our goals, collaborating with various stakeholders such as government agencies, NGOs, and local communities. These partnerships are crucial for scaling our impact and reaching more smallholder farmers across Africa. By working together with organizations that share our vision of sustainable agriculture and rural development, we can leverage their expertise, resources, and networks to enhance our outreach and effectiveness. These collaborations also enable us to access funding opportunities, technical support, and market linkages that are essential for scaling our operations and driving meaningful change. Ultimately, through strategic partnerships, we aim to create a sustainable ecosystem where all stakeholders benefit, contributing collectively to the achievement of our shared goals of poverty reduction, food security, and environmental sustainability.

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

2

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

6

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

4

06.04 The product/service is an improvement on an existing product or service.

5

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.

3

06.08 Justification for my startup

06.09 Competitive Analysis

Our multi-stage rice thresher represents a significant advancement in agricultural technology, particularly tailored for efficient rice threshing. Unlike SAYeTECH's bulky multi-crop thresher, which struggles with rice threshing due to design limitations, our thresher excels across all rice varieties, including wet and long-stalked rice, with a capacity of 900kg to 1200kg per hour. It integrates anti-choking features and easy assembly for seamless transportation, overcoming challenges in muddy terrains and narrow farm roads. We prioritize accessibility by not selling machines, offering inclusive and efficient threshing services to farmers of all income levels. With engineers and rice farmers on our team, we ensure continuous innovation driven by practical insights, enhancing productivity and sustainability in rice farming.

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

Yes, as a female entrepreneur, I actively promote the role of female entrepreneurs within my community. Some of the actions I've initiated include mentoring aspiring female entrepreneurs, organizing workshops focused on women in business, participating in local women empowerment programs, and advocating for gender equality in entrepreneurship opportunities. These efforts aim to inspire and support more women to pursue entrepreneurial ventures and succeed in traditionally male-dominated industries.