Zimbabwe - Startup under 3 years old

Describe your project or startup in a few words

The SorghumGreen Project aims to empower rural communities through sustainable agriculture, focusing on sorghum cultivation and environmental resilience.

01.01 Describe your startup in more detail

The SorghumGreen Project focuses on sustainable agriculture in rural communities. We promote sorghum cultivation, emphasizing environmental resilience and economic empowerment. Our vision is to create self-sufficient farming systems that benefit both farmers and the planet

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

The main problem we aim to solve with the SorghumGreen Project is the lack of sustainable agricultural practices in rural communities. Specifically, we address: Limited access to nutritious crops. Drought prone areas due to climate change. Environmental degradation due to unsustainable farming methods. Economic challenges faced by small-scale farmers. By promoting sorghum cultivation and sustainable techniques, we seek to empower farmers, improve food security, and protect the environment

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

Nutritious Crops: Benefit: Sorghum cultivation provides a nutritious alternative to staple crops. Advantage: Farmers and their communities gain access to a diverse, protein-rich food source. Environmental Resilience: Benefit: Teaching farmers to use sorghum residue for sustainable briquettes reduces reliance on traditional fuels (like firewood or charcoal). Advantage: Reduced deforestation, lower carbon emissions, and enhanced environmental conservation. Economic Empowerment: Benefit: Sorghum farming generates income for small-scale farmers. Advantage: Economic stability, poverty reduction, and improved livelihoods.

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

The SorghumGreen Project primarily serves marginalized communities in Zimbabwe, particularly those in region 5. These beneficiaries face challenges related to drought, climate change, and limited access to nutritious food. By promoting sustainable sorghum cultivation and briquette production, we empower these communities economically and environmentally

01.05 When was your company established?

2022-09-22

01.06 Are you already selling your product/service?

Yes

01.07 How many other owners are there within your startup?

2

01.08 Among the other owners, how many are female?

1

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

Yvonne Mawanga (Public Relations Expert): Yvonne brings extensive experience in public relations, communication, and community engagement. Her skills include stakeholder management, storytelling, and fostering positive relationships. Ian Pikayi (Chartered Accountant): Ian’s financial expertise is invaluable for budgeting, financial planning, and grant management. His background ensures sound financial practices within the project.

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

6

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification for my startup

Economic Empowerment: By promoting sorghum cultivation and sustainable practices, we empower small-scale farmers economically. Increased income from sorghum sales reduces poverty and enhances livelihoods. Food Security: Sorghum provides a nutritious food source, especially in regions prone to drought. Improved food security contributes to poverty reduction. Environmental Resilience: Teaching farmers to use sorghum residue for sustainable briquettes reduces reliance on traditional fuels. This mitigates deforestation, conserves natural resources, and supports resilient communities. Overall, the SorghumGreen Project contributes to poverty alleviation, food security, and environmental sustainability.

02.02.01 My startup contributes to the Zero hunger goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification for my startup

Diverse Food Source: Benefit: Sorghum cultivation provides an alternative food source beyond traditional staples. Impact: Diversifying diets improves nutrition and reduces reliance on a single crop. Resilience to Climate Change: Benefit: Sorghum is drought-tolerant and adaptable to varying climates. Impact: In regions prone to drought (like Zimbabwe), sorghum ensures food security during challenging conditions. Local Food Production: Benefit: By empowering small-scale farmers, we promote local food production. Impact: Reduced dependence on food imports and increased self-sufficiency.

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

Nutritious Food Source: Benefit: Sorghum cultivation provides a nutritious alternative to staple crops. Impact: Improved health outcomes due to increased consumption of diverse, protein-rich food. Reducing Indoor Air Pollution: Benefit: Teaching farmers to use sorghum residue for sustainable briquettes reduces reliance on traditional fuels (like firewood or charcoal). Impact: Lower exposure to indoor air pollutants, leading to better respiratory health. Community Resilience: Benefit: By addressing food security and sustainable practices, we enhance overall well-being. Impact: Healthier communities, reduced vulnerability to climate-related health risks.

02.04.01 My startup contributes to the Quality education goal

5

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification for my startup

Educational Awareness: Benefit: By teaching sustainable agricultural practices, we raise awareness about environmental stewardship and food security. Impact: Educated farmers make informed decisions, leading to better crop management and resource utilization. Curriculum Integration: Benefit: Incorporating sorghum cultivation into school curricula introduces students to diverse crops and sustainable practices. Impact: Students gain practical knowledge and an appreciation for agriculture. Community Learning Centers: Benefit: Establishing community centers for workshops and training. Impact: Lifelong learning opportunities for farmers, parents, and students.

02.05.01 My startup contributes to the Gender equality goal

6

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification for my startup

Empowering Women Farmers: Benefit: Our project actively involves women in sorghum cultivation, teaching sustainable practices, and briquette production. Impact: By empowering women economically and providing them with knowledge, we promote gender equality. Inclusive Decision-Making: Benefit: Women participate in project planning, implementation, and community engagement. Impact: Their voices are heard, and they contribute to shaping sustainable solutions. Reducing Gender Disparities: Benefit: By addressing economic and environmental challenges, we reduce gender disparities in rural communities. Impact: Women gain equal access to resources, education, and decision-making opportunities.

02.06.01 My startup contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

4

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification for my startup

02.07.01 My startup contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

6

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification for my startup

Clean Energy Production: Benefit: Teaching farmers to produce sustainable briquettes from sorghum residue reduces reliance on traditional fuels (like firewood or charcoal). Impact: Lower carbon emissions, reduced indoor air pollution, and cleaner energy for cooking and heating. Economic Savings: Benefit: Sustainable energy solutions reduce household expenses. Impact: Farmers save money by using briquettes energy, contributing to affordability.

02.08.01 My startup contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

5

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification for my startup

Economic Empowerment: Benefit: By promoting sorghum cultivation, we create income-generating opportunities for small-scale farmers. Impact: Decent work, reduced poverty, and improved livelihoods. Skills Development: Benefit: Training farmers in sustainable practices enhances their skills. Impact: Increased employability and productivity within the agricultural sector. Local Entrepreneurship: Benefit: Encouraging briquette production fosters local businesses. Impact: Job creation, economic diversification, and community resilience.

02.09.01 My startup contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

4

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification for my startup

02.10.01 My startup contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

6

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification for my startup

Empowering Marginalized Communities: By focusing on Chivi District in Zimbabwe, you’re directly addressing inequalities in access to resources, education, and economic opportunities. Providing training, resources, and income-generating activities for women cultivators contributes to reducing disparities. Gender Equality: Your initiative involves women as key participants. Empowering them economically and socially helps bridge gender gaps. Women’s involvement in briquette production and sorghum cultivation promotes equality. Access to Clean Energy: Briquettes made from sorghum residues offer an alternative to firewood and charcoal. This reduces inequalities related to energy access, especially for households in marginalized communities. Local Economic Growth: Sorghum cultivation and briquette production create local jobs and income. Economic empowerment contributes to reducing disparities between different segments of society.

02.11.01 My startup contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

6

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification for my startup

Inclusive Communities: By empowering marginalized households in Chivi District, you’re promoting inclusivity. Sorghum cultivation involves women, contributing to gender equality and social inclusion. Safe and Resilient Settlements: Briquettes as clean energy alternatives enhance safety by reducing indoor air pollution. Sustainable energy practices make communities more resilient to environmental challenges. Economic Sustainability: Income generation through briquette sales supports economic stability. Local production centers contribute to community resilience. Reducing Inequalities: Focusing on marginalized areas addresses disparities in access to resources. Women’s involvement promotes equity. Environmental Impact: Reduced deforestation due to briquette use contributes to a sustainable environment. Lower carbon emissions align with climate action.

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

Circular Economy Approach: By utilizing sorghum residues to create biomass briquettes, you’re practicing circular economy principles. Circular economy minimizes waste, promotes reuse, and reduces resource extraction. Resource Efficiency: Sorghum cultivation and briquette production optimize resource use. We’re transforming agricultural by-products into valuable energy sources. Reducing Waste: Briquettes replace traditional fuels, reducing waste from deforestation and charcoal production. This contributes to responsible consumption patterns. Local Impact: Focusing on Chivi District ensures community-level impact. Responsible production benefits local livelihoods.

02.13.01 My startup contributes to the Climate action goal

6

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification for my startup

Climate-Smart Attributes of Sorghum: Adaptability: Sorghum is well-suited for arid and semi-arid regions, making it resilient to climate variability. Carbon Capture: As a C4 plant, sorghum efficiently captures carbon dioxide during photosynthesis. Reduced Water Usage: Sorghum requires less water compared to other cereal crops. Drought Tolerance: Its deep root system helps it withstand drought conditions. Low Input Requirements: Sorghum can thrive with minimal fertilizers and pesticides.

02.14.01 My startup contributes to the Life below water goal

3

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification for my startup

02.15.01 My startup contributes to the Life on land goal

6

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification for my startup

SorghumGreen, aligns with the Life on Land goal: Ecosystem Restoration: Sorghum cultivation can enhance soil health and prevent land degradation. By promoting sustainable land use, you contribute to ecosystem restoration. Biodiversity Conservation: Sorghum fields can serve as habitats for various species. Biodiversity is crucial for ecosystem resilience and balance. Desertification Mitigation: Sorghum’s drought resistance can combat desertification. Sustainable practices prevent soil erosion and desert encroachment.

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

4

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

Collaboration and Alliances: Local Partnerships: Engage with local NGOs, community leaders, and other stakeholders in Chivi District. Knowledge Sharing: Collaborate with experts in sustainable agriculture, clean energy, and gender empowerment. Resource Mobilization: Seek funding from international organizations like TotalEnergies, impact investors, and grants. Leverage partnerships to access resources for scaling up your initiatives. Capacity Building: Train women cultivators, briquette producers, and community members. Empower them to drive sustainable practices. Advocacy and Awareness: Advocate for sustainable land use, gender equality, and clean energy. Raise awareness about the impact of your work.

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

4

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

3

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.

5

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

6

06.07 The product/service is a new version of an old product/service.

6

06.08 Justification for my startup

The SorghumGreen project in Zimbabwe embodies several characteristics that align with product innovation and differentiation: Extension of a Range of Products: SorghumGreen extends beyond traditional agricultural practices. It introduces sorghum cultivation and briquette production as interconnected solutions. Addressing Unmet Needs: Prior to SorghumGreen, sustainable energy options were scarce in Chivi District. The project meets the need for clean, affordable fuel alternatives. New Version of an Old Product: While sorghum has been cultivated for centuries, its application as biomass briquettes is innovative. SorghumGreen transforms an age-old crop into a modern, eco-friendly solution.

06.09 Competitive Analysis

Holistic Approach: SorghumGreen integrates sorghum cultivation and briquette production. Competitors may focus solely on one aspect (e.g., energy or agriculture), but our holistic approach maximizes impact. Community-Centric: We actively engage with local communities, respecting their values and customs. Competitors may lack this community-driven perspective. Environmental Impact: SorghumGreen reduces deforestation, carbon emissions, and waste. Few competitors prioritize both environmental and social benefits. Innovation: Transforming sorghum into briquettes is innovative. Competitors may not offer such a unique solution. In summary, SorghumGreen's comprehensive, community-oriented, and eco-friendly approach stands out.

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

Training Workshops: Hosting workshops specifically for women on sorghum cultivation, briquette production, and business skills. Empowering them with knowledge and practical skills to run their own ventures. Women-Led Briquette Units: Establishing community-based briquette production centers managed by women. Providing leadership opportunities and income generation. Networking Events: Organizing networking sessions where female entrepreneurs can connect, share experiences, and collaborate. Fostering a supportive ecosystem. Visibility Campaigns: Highlighting successful female entrepreneurs within the project. Showcasing their achievements to inspire others.