Ghana - Business creation project

Describe your project or startup in a few words

EcoSnail Farms empowers marginalized communities through sustainable snail farming. Provides training for satellite farms, fostering entrepreneurship and economic growth. Our low-carbon model offers eco-friendly protein and snail mucus extraction.

01.01 Describe your project in more detail

EcoSnail Farms is into snail farming business by establishing a snail farm which will serve as the main model snail farming enterprise. This model snail farm will conduct training programs for other young people and women who will show interest so that they can also establish a satellite snail farm. The model farm will serve as the main buyer of snails from these satellite snail farms which will then further be sold for consumption and mucus extraction. The snail value chain is huge ranging from live snails, processed ones, shell, mucus extraction, etc. Our business focus here is mucus extraction for skin care and pharmaceutical companies. We have done our market research and currently at the business planning stage.

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

EcoSnail Farms addresses unemployment, underemployment, and sustainable agriculture through innovative snail farming. It empowers youth and women by training them to start satellite snail farms, fostering entrepreneurship and economic growth. Promoting snail farming aids sustainable agriculture as it's a low-carbon, resource-efficient alternative to traditional livestock. EcoSnail taps into cosmetics/pharma markets by extracting snail mucus, a lucrative natural ingredient meeting eco-friendly consumer demand. This value-added product enhances profitability. The multifaceted approach tackles socio-economic and environmental issues by creating economic opportunities, promoting sustainable practices, community development, and meeting the demand for natural, sustainable products.

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

Contribution to local and regional food security by providing a sustainable source of protein Utilization of agricultural waste or by-products as feed for snail farming, promoting circular economy principles Environmental sustainability and reduced ecological footprint: Snail farming is a low-carbon and resource-efficient alternative to traditional livestock farming.

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

EcoSnail Farms targets young people, women facing unemployment/underemployment by training them to start satellite snail farms for economic empowerment. It serves local communities with high joblessness by promoting snail farming as an income source, fostering development. The project exemplifies sustainable agriculture through low-carbon, resource-efficient snail farming for practitioners. EcoSnail caters to eco-conscious cosmetics/pharma consumers by extracting snail mucus, a natural, sustainable ingredient. Overall, it empowers marginalized groups, supports communities, promotes sustainable practices, and meets eco-friendly product demand across multiple sectors.

01.05 When did you start working on your project?

2024-05-01

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

5

01.07 Among the other partners, how many are female?

3

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

Daniel Anaba - nutrition, food science, business development and social innovation Eugene Kofi Tetteh - finance, marketing, partnership, sales Gifty Owusu - administrative skills, geography, business development market research Ella - Agriculture, women empowerment, social impact, livelihood development Adwoa Achiaa Abrokwah- agriculture, women emperment

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?

l) Agriculture

02.01.01 My project contributes to the No poverty goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification

By providing training and opportunities for young people and women to start their own satellite snail farms, EcoSnail Farms contributes to poverty alleviation and the promotion of sustainable livelihoods. The project aims to create income-generating opportunities, particularly in areas with high unemployment and underemployment rates, thereby addressing poverty and economic empowerment.

02.02.01 My project contributes to the Zero hunger goal

6

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification

Snail farming is a sustainable and resource-efficient method of producing protein. By promoting snail farming as an alternative to traditional livestock farming, EcoSnail Farms supports more sustainable food production systems that can contribute to increased food security and improved nutrition.

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

5

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification

EcoSnail Farms' business model also contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being, specifically through its focus on snail mucus extraction for the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries

02.04.01 My project contributes to the Quality education goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification

02.05.01 My project contributes to the Gender equality goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification

EcoSnail Farms specifically targets women, particularly those facing unemployment or underemployment, by providing them with training and opportunities to start their own satellite snail farms. This approach directly empowers women economically, enabling them to generate income and gain financial independence.

02.06.01 My project contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification

02.07.01 My project contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

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

EcoSnail Farms' focus on creating entrepreneurship opportunities and fostering skill development directly aligns with the goal of promoting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, as well as full and productive employment. The project supports job creation, particularly for youth and women, and encourages the growth of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises.

02.09.01 My project contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

6

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification

EcoSnail Farms' business model also contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure by: Promotion of innovative agricultural practices Development of value-added products: By focusing on snail mucus extraction for the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries, EcoSnail Farms engages in value-added processing and the development of new products derived from natural sources.

02.10.01 My project contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

5

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification

EcoSnail farms operations address SDG goal 13 by mainly empowering women who are mostly vulnerable to climate change impacts.

02.11.01 My project contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification

02.12.01 My project contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification

y promoting snail farming as a low-carbon and resource-efficient alternative to traditional livestock farming, EcoSnail Farms contributes to more sustainable consumption and production patterns. Snail farming requires minimal land, water, and feed resources, reducing the environmental impact associated with food production.

02.13.01 My project contributes to the Climate action goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification

The low-carbon footprint of snail farming, as promoted by EcoSnail Farms, supports efforts to combat climate change and its impacts. By offering a sustainable alternative to resource-intensive livestock farming, the project contributes to the mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions and the adoption of climate-resilient agricultural practices.

02.14.01 My project contributes to the Life below water goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification

02.15.01 My project contributes to the Life on land goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification

EcoSnail Farms' sustainable approach to agriculture and its promotion of snail farming can indirectly contribute to the protection, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems. By reducing the environmental impact of food production, the project supports sustainable land management practices and the conservation of biodiversity.

02.16.01 My project contributes to the Peace justice and strong institutions goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.16.02 Peace justice and strong institutions - Justification

02.17.01 My project contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

6

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification

Through its training programs and knowledge transfer activities, EcoSnail Farms contributes to capacity building and the sharing of expertise related to sustainable snail farming practices, entrepreneurship, and eco-friendly production methods. This aligns with the goal of enhancing international support for implementing effective and targeted capacity-building initiatives.

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

1 - Strongly Disagree

05.02 The product/service we envision creating represents an entirely new type of product/service.

3

05.03 The product/service we envision creating could be described as a new technology.

2

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

5

05.05 The product/service we envision creating could be described as an extension of a range of products or services.

5

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

6

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

3

05.08 Justification

According to recent studies, Ghana imports more than 20,000 tons of snails. This reveals the demand for the snails.

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

While established snail farms are our competitors and may focus on live snails or basic processing, EcoSnail Farms prioritizes high-value snail mucus extraction for the lucrative skincare & pharmaceutical industries. Our unique model empowers young people & women through satellite snail farms, fostering social impact & a wider, sustainable production network. This sets us apart by offering a premium product, creating community benefits, and promoting eco-friendly practices.

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

NO