Ghana - Business creation project

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Solar-powered irrigation truck for sustainable agriculture. This project involves designing and developing a mobile, solar-powered irrigation system integrated into a truck, providing efficient and sustainable water management for agricultural fields.

01.01 Describe your project in more detail

Our project, Kavok is a mobile, solar-powered irrigation system designed for sustainable agriculture. The truck features: - A 5,000-liter water tank - A 5 kW solar panel array - An energy-efficient pump and control system - Adjustable irrigation pipes and sprinklers - A real-time monitoring system for water levels, pump performance, and solar energy generation Kavok aims to: - Reduce carbon emissions and dependence on fossil fuels - Increase crop yields and water efficiency - Support small-scale farmers and marginalized communities - Promote eco-friendly farming practices and global food security The truck's compact design enables easy transportation and deployment, making it ideal for various agricultural applications. SIT's innovative solution addresses water management challenges, supporting a sustainable future for generations to come.

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

The main problem we're trying to solve is the inefficient and unsustainable use of water in agriculture, leading to: - Water scarcity and waste - High energy costs and carbon emissions from traditional irrigation methods - Limited access to irrigation for small-scale farmers and marginalized communities - Negative environmental impacts on ecosystems and biodiversity Kavok aims to address these issues by providing a sustainable, efficient, and accessible irrigation solution for agricultural water management.

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

Kavok offers these major benefits: 1. Sustainable Water Management: Reduces water waste and conserves this precious resource for future generations. 2. Cleaner Environment : Harnesses solar power, minimizing carbon emissions and dependence on fossil fuels, contributing to a cleaner environment. 3. Increased Crop Yields: Provides efficient and reliable irrigation, leading to improved crop health, increased yields, and enhanced food security. Additionally Kavok also reduces energy costs, increased access to irrigation for small-scale farmers, and a compact, mobile design for easy transportation and deployment.

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

Kavok aimed at serving small-scale farmers, agricultural communities, and marginalized groups, including: - Smallholder farmers with limited access to irrigation systems - Rural communities relying on rain-fed agriculture - Women-led farming initiatives and cooperatives - Farmers in areas with limited energy access or water scarcity.

01.05 When did you start working on your project?

2024-04-26

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

2

01.07 Among the other partners, how many are female?

1

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

Prof Francis Kemausuor PhD, MPhil, BSc Dean Faculty of Mechanical & Chemical Engineering College of Engineering Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology

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

1. Increased income: By providing a reliable and efficient irrigation system, Kavok helps small-scale farmers increase their crop yields and improve their agricultural productivity, leading to higher incomes and improved livelihoods. Reduced poverty traps: Kavok helps farmers break the cycle of poverty by reducing their dependence on rain-fed agriculture, which can lead to crop failure and financial losses. 3. Empowerment of marginalized groups: By targeting women-led farming initiatives and cooperatives, Kavok empowers marginalized groups and promotes gender equality, helping to reduce poverty and inequality. 4. Improved food security: Kavok enhances food availability and access, reducing the risk of hunger and malnutrition, which are often linked to poverty.

02.02.01 My project contributes to the Zero hunger goal

4

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification

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

5

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification

02.04.01 My project contributes to the Quality education goal

4

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification

02.05.01 My project contributes to the Gender equality goal

5

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification

02.06.01 My project contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification

1. Water Efficiency: Kavok promotes efficient water use in agriculture, reducing water waste and conserving this precious resource. 2. Access to Water: By providing a reliable and sustainable irrigation system, Kavok helps small-scale farmers access water for their crops, reducing the risk of water scarcity and drought. 3. Water Quality: Kavok’s solar-powered system reduces the risk of water contamination from fossil fuels, ensuring cleaner water for agricultural use. 4. Sanitation: By improving agricultural productivity and income, Kavok indirectly supports improved sanitation and hygiene practices among farming communities. 5. Reduced Water Pollution: By reducing the use of fossil fuels and promoting sustainable agriculture

02.07.01 My project contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification

1. Renewable Energy: Kavok uses solar power, a renewable energy source, to provide clean and sustainable energy for irrigation. 2. Energy Access: By providing energy for irrigation, SIT increases access to energy for small-scale farmers, who may have limited or no access to traditional energy sources. 3. Energy Efficiency: Kavok’s solar-powered system reduces energy waste and promotes efficient energy use in agriculture. 4. Reduced Energy Poverty: By providing affordable and clean energy, Kavok helps reduce energy poverty among farming communities, promoting economic development and social equity. 5. Decreased Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Kavok’s solar-powered system reduces dependence on fossil fuels, decreasing greenhouse gas emissions and contributing to climate change mitigation.

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

1. Job creation: Kavok creates jobs for small-scale farmers, technicians, and maintenance staff, promoting employment opportunities and decent work. 2. Economic Growth: Kavok supports economic growth by increasing agricultural productivity, improving farmers' income, and stimulating local economic development.

02.09.01 My project contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

4

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification

02.10.01 My project contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

4

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification

02.11.01 My project contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification

Sustainable Urban Agriculture: Kavok’s Solar Irrigation Truck promotes sustainable urban agriculture, supporting local food production and reducing reliance on industrial agriculture

02.12.01 My project contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

4

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification

02.13.01 My project contributes to the Climate action goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification

Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions: By using solar power, Kavok reduces dependence on fossil fuels, decreasing greenhouse gas emissions and contributing to climate change mitigation.

02.14.01 My project contributes to the Life below water goal

4

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification

02.15.01 My project contributes to the Life on land goal

3

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification

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

2

02.16.02 Peace justice and strong institutions - Justification

02.17.01 My project contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification

Strengthening means of implementation: Kavok enhances the capacity of local farmers and communities to implement sustainable agriculture practices, promoting self-sufficiency and empowerment.

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

2

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.

5

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

7 - Strongly Agree

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

4

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.

7 - Strongly Agree

05.08 Justification

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

Our main potential competitors are: 1. Traditional diesel-powered irrigation systems 2. Other solar-powered irrigation solutions 3. Rainwater harvesting systems What makes us stand out: 1. Mobility: Our Solar Irrigation Truck is a mobile solution, allowing farmers to irrigate multiple fields and areas. 2. Efficiency: Kavok’s solar-powered system reduces energy waste and provides efficient irrigation. 3. Affordability:Kavok is a cost-effective solution, reducing energy costs and increasing farmers' income.

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

As the Maiden Vice President of Young Agriprenuers Forum - KNUST. Last year We organized a submit, AgriTalk, which sensitized and features the role of female entrepreneurs among students and fresh graduates of KNUST