Cameroon - Startup under 3 years old

Describe your project or startup in a few words

JK Agrofarms fueling the industrialization of Africa with a vertically integrated food processing business, including farming and processing, starting with the Cameroonian cassava value chain.

01.01 Describe your startup in more detail

JKA operates a vertically integrated business that spans cultivation, processing, and distribution of cassava-based products. On our expansive 750-acre farm, we employ mechanized, tech-enabled farming practices, using equipment like tractors and drones, as well as precision agriculture software. Beyond self-cultivation, we have established a cooperative and champion an out-grower model, integrating smallholders into the value chain, increasing their incomes by off-taking their cassava, and providing essential resources to ensure their productivity and prosperity. Our inaugural product , sold through our brand YAKÉVA since Dec 2023, is organic high-quality cassava flour (HQCF), offering a gluten-free alternative to wheat flour with a shelf life of 1-2 years.

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

Food insecurity – we believe Africa’s food crisis stems from a poor use of available resources (arable land, mechanization, improved seeds, new farming practices), leading to low yields and post-harvest losses up to 40%. This local unproductivity necessitates importing food, which fuels inflation and our trade deficit. Our process maximizes productivity by adapting global technology and know-how to local contexts, producing competitive, value-added goods. For instance, our cassava flour, a gluten-free wheat flour alternative, is sold in Cameroon for $0.60 per kg (the lowest price in the country), extending the crop's shelf-life from 72 hours to 18 months.

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

Price Competitiveness: YAKÉVA cassava flour is priced affordably at $0.60-$0.85 per kg, making it an economical choice for consumers. This competitive pricing ensures accessibility for families, especially those living on less than $5 a day, providing a cost-effective alternative to more expensive imported grains. Locally Produced: Our cassava flour is proudly grown and processed in Cameroon, harnessing local agricultural resources and contributing to the local economy. By purchasing YAKÉVA, customers support the sustainability of local farming communities and reduce economic impacts associated with importing goods. Versatile Use: It is extremely versatile in the kitchen. It is gluten-free (for gluten intolerant individuals) and can be used to make a variety of traditional and modern dishes, from bread and cakes to fufu and pancakes. This adaptability makes it an essential pantry item for both home cooks and professional chefs looking to explore gluten-free and innovative recipes.

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

At JKA, our target customer base spans across a diverse range. First, there are individual home users (primarily women), who utilize our flour for their cooking and baking needs. Our cassava flour offers an affordable staple for families living on less than $5 a day, providing a nutritious and cost-effective alternative to imported grains. Simultaneously, we are targeting small businesses and entrepreneurs that craft flour-based products for commercial sale. This segment, comprising a significant portion of the market, is approached through the more fragmented and logistically intricate general trade channels.

01.05 When was your company established?

2022-02-01

01.06 Are you already selling your product/service?

Yes

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:

https://jkagrofarms.com/, https://yakeva.com/, https://www.facebook.com/yakevafoods

01.11 Which industry best describes your project?

d) Primary commodities (food, drink, household and personal products)

02.01.01 My startup contributes to the No poverty goal

6

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification for my startup

Most of our labor (permanent and temporary) are individuals that have been living on less than $5 per day, and working at JK Agrofarms allows them to make additional income on top of what they already earn. So far we have hired 20+ full time workers and provided temporary jobs to 40 different people. Furthermore, by integrating smallholder farmers into our supply chain, we are directly increasing their incomes through fair prices, consistent demand, increased productivity through training, and ensuring they benefit economically from our operations.

02.02.01 My startup contributes to the Zero hunger goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification for my startup

YAKÉVA cassava flour actively contributes to the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal of Zero Hunger by offering an affordable and nutritious alternative to imported grains. With its competitive pricing, YAKÉVA is accessible to families living on less than $5 a day, enhancing food security and improving nutritional intake. By utilizing locally sourced cassava and emphasizing local manufacturing, JK Agrofarms not only supports rural economies but also reduces dependence on food imports, which helps combat food inflation and builds resilience against global market fluctuations. This approach strengthens local food systems and promotes sustainable agricultural development, directly impacting efforts to eradicate hunger.

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

4

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

02.04.01 My startup contributes to the Quality education goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification for my startup

02.05.01 My startup contributes to the Gender equality goal

5

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification for my startup

Women make up a significant portion of the agricultural workforce in Africa, yet they often have fewer opportunities and lower access to resources than men. JKA actively works to reduce this disparity by ensuring that women are represented equitably in all hiring and training opportunities. By empowering women through stable employment and professional growth, we contribute to enhancing their economic independence and decision-making capacity within their households and communities.

02.06.01 My startup contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

2

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification for my startup

02.07.01 My startup contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

2

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification for my startup

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

JK Agrofarms contributes to the UN's goal of promoting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, and decent work for all by leveraging local agricultural activities to boost the economy. By focusing on cassava, a key export, we enhance the balance of payments with increased exports, reducing dependency on imported goods. This strategy not only supports local farmers through fair employment and fair wages but also fostains a thriving community by re-investing in local capabilities and infrastructure. Our approach helps stabilize local markets, contributes to food security, and builds economic resilience, ensuring that growth is both inclusive and sustainable.

02.09.01 My startup contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

6

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification for my startup

JK Agrofarms is dedicated to building resilient infrastructure, with the mission of fueling industrialization within the agricultural sector. By developing a fully equipped processing facility for cassava flour, we ensure efficient production that meets global standards. Our investment in advanced agricultural technologies and practices enhances the resilience and capacity of local farming systems, promoting sustainable growth. Furthermore, JK Agrofarms encourages local innovation by implementing farming practices and seed varieties that aren’t commonly used in the country, aimed at improving crop yields. This holistic approach not only strengthens local infrastructure but also drives economic diversification and technological advancement, paving the way for a sustainable industrial future.

02.10.01 My startup contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

5

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification for my startup

JK Agrofarms actively contributes to reducing inequality within and among countries by creating economic opportunities in rural Cameroon, where limited access to profitable markets often hinders development. By integrating smallholder farmers into our supply chain and paying them fair, competitive prices for their cassava, we help elevate their income levels, directly reducing economic disparities. Additionally, we commit to offering fair and above-market salaries to our employees, further supporting economic equity.

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

02.12.01 My startup contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

4

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification for my startup

02.13.01 My startup contributes to the Climate action goal

5

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification for my startup

Aware of the stark realities of climate change, JKA is proactively countering its impact on weather patterns and agricultural yields. Our choice to focus on cassava is strategic; its resilience in harsh climates is well documented. Yet, we are not complacent. We are actively exploring innovative farming techniques, investing in new drought-resistant cassava varieties, and considering the implementation of irrigation systems to safeguard our yields.

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

02.15.01 My startup contributes to the Life on land goal

4

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

3

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification for my startup

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

6

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

2

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

2

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

4

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.

4

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

4

06.08 Justification for my startup

TJK Agrofarms introduces an innovation to the market with our industrially produced unfermented cassava flour. Traditionally, cassava flour in local markets is fermented, a process that gives it a distinct flavor and limits its culinary uses. Our unfermented flour, however, is made using advanced drying techniques that require rapid processing unavailable in typical local settings. This swift industrial drying preserves the natural qualities of cassava, resulting in a more neutral flavor and a versatile flour that can be used in a wider range of recipes, from baking bread and cakes to making sauces and coatings. This not only enhances its appeal to a broader audience but also opens up new opportunities for culinary creativity, making it a superior choice for both households and professional kitchens seeking gluten-free options.

06.09 Competitive Analysis

In the competitive cassava flour market, we distinguish ourselves from rivals like Cassvita, O’DEVI, HELOGAN, and Les Secrets de Ma’a through our vertical integration and end-to-end mechanization. This strategy not only provides us with price flexibility, appealing to a cost-conscious consumer base, but also underpins our competitive pricing model. By streamlining operations, JKA offers products at attractive prices while preserving substantial gross margins. Our bespoke product design, innovative packaging, and strategic marketing further enhance the value proposition to our customers.

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