Tanzania - Startup under 3 years old

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Empowering smallholder farmers in Tanzania by providing post-harvest loans and safe storage solutions.

01.01 Describe your startup in more detail

A Social enterprise dedicated to empowering smallholder farmers in Tanzania by providing post-harvest loans and advanced storage solutions. By offering cash loans at harvest, secured against maize stored in Purdue Improved Crop Storage (PICS) bags and protected with Atelic Super chemicals, we enable farmers to meet immediate financial needs and delay crop sales until market prices rise. This approach helps reduce post-harvest losses, increase crop quality, and achieve up to 29% higher annual net revenues. With a model based on sustainability and scalability, we aim to enhance food security, reduce poverty, and promote financial stability among rural farming communities.

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

The income instability and financial insecurity of smallholder farmers in Tanzania, who are often forced to sell their crops immediately after harvest when prices are lowest, due to urgent cash needs. This premature selling leads to reduced potential income and heightened food insecurity. Additionally, the lack of proper storage solutions results in significant post-harvest losses due to pests and mold, further diminishing their earnings and food supply.

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

- Increased Income. By providing post-harvest loans, farmers can cover immediate expenses and delay selling their crops until market prices improve, leading to significantly higher sales revenue and a 29% increase in annual net income. - Reduced Post-Harvest Losses. With advanced storage solutions such as Purdue Improved Crop Storage (PICS) bags and Atelic Super chemicals, farmers can protect their crops from pests and mold, minimizing losses and ensuring higher quality produce for sale or consumption. Enhanced Financial Stability and Food Security: The combination of financial support and effective storage solutions allows farmers to better manage their resources, reduce financial stress, and improve household food security, contributing to more stable and resilient rural communities.

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

Products and services are aimed at serving smallholder farmers in Tanzania, specifically those cultivating staple crops like maize. The targeted beneficiaries are; Low-Income Farmers: Smallholder farmers living on less than $2 per day, who often struggle with immediate cash needs post-harvest, forcing them to sell crops at low prices. Women and Youth in Agriculture: Often marginalized in agricultural economies, women and young farmers can gain financial independence and stability through access to loans and improved storage technologies. By targeting these groups, Harvest Secure aims to uplift the most vulnerable populations within the agricultural sector, promoting economic resilience and sustainable development.

01.05 When was your company established?

2024-06-11

01.06 Are you already selling your product/service?

No

01.07 How many other owners are there within your startup?

1

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.)

Another owner, a partner, social protection expert with the experience in poverty programs, project management and development.

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?

g) Financial services

02.01.01 My startup contributes to the No poverty goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification for my startup

By addressing the financial and storage challenges faced by smallholder farmers, We directly contributes to alleviating poverty, enhancing food security, and promoting economic stability in rural communities. This aligns with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal 1: No Poverty, by creating opportunities for improved income and living conditions for some of the world's poorest populations

02.02.01 My startup contributes to the Zero hunger goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification for my startup

By addressing key challenges in food storage, financial access, and market timing, Harvest Secure directly contributes to the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal 2: Zero Hunger. Our interventions ensure that more food reaches those who need it, support sustainable agricultural practices, and enhance the overall food security and nutritional status of smallholder farming communities.

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

2

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification for my startup

02.05.01 My startup contributes to the Gender equality goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification for my startup

By specifically targeting and empowering women farmers, who are often marginalized in agricultural economies. By providing women with access to post-harvest loans and advanced storage solutions, we enable them to increase their income and financial independence. Additionally, our training programs on proper storage techniques and financial management are designed to be inclusive, ensuring that women have equal opportunities to participate and benefit. This empowerment not only improves their economic status but also enhances their decision-making power within households and communities, promoting greater gender equality and fostering a more inclusive and equitable agricultural sector.

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

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

7 - Strongly Agree

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification for my startup

- By fostering sustainable economic opportunities within rural agricultural communities. - By providing smallholder farmers with post-harvest loans and advanced storage solutions, we enable them to optimize their agricultural income and reduce financial vulnerability. This support enhances their economic resilience and promotes stable livelihoods, ensuring that farmers can engage in productive and meaningful work year-round. Moreover, our initiative stimulates local economies by encouraging investment in agricultural inputs and facilitating access to markets at optimal times, thereby contributing to overall economic growth. By empowering farmers with financial tools and technical assistance, We are not only going to improve their living standards but also promotes a more inclusive and prosperous agricultural sector, aligning directly with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal 8.

02.09.01 My startup contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

3

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification for my startup

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

4

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification for my startup

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

By promoting efficient and sustainable agricultural practices among smallholder farmers. Through the provision of Purdue Improved Crop Storage (PICS) bags and Atelic Super chemicals, we help farmers reduce post-harvest losses caused by pests and mold, thereby minimizing waste and maximizing the use of agricultural resources. By enabling farmers to store their crops safely and sell them at optimal market times, we encourage more responsible consumption patterns within local communities. This approach not only improves food security by ensuring more food reaches consumers but also supports environmental sustainability by reducing the need for excessive use of pesticides and preserving natural resources. We emphasis on efficient crop management and responsible market practices contributes directly to achieving the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal 12, fostering sustainable consumption and production patterns for long-term agricultural prosperity.

02.13.01 My startup contributes to the Climate action goal

3

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

3

02.16.02 Peace Justice and Strong Institutions- Justification for my startup

02.17.01 My startup contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification for my startup

We contribute to the Partnerships for the Goals by collaborating with microfinance institutions to enhance financial inclusion and support smallholder farmers in Tanzania. Through strategic partnerships with microfinance providers, we facilitate access to post-harvest loans for farmers, enabling them to cover their daily needs and invest in advanced storage solutions. These partnerships not only leverage the expertise and outreach of microfinance institutions but also ensure that our interventions are sustainable and scalable. By pooling resources and knowledge with our partners, we strengthen the resilience of rural communities, promote economic growth, and advance towards achieving the broader Sustainable Development Goals. Our commitment to fostering effective partnerships underscores our dedication to creating lasting social impact and driving positive change in agricultural practices and economic outcomes.

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

3

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.

3

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.

3

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.

4

06.08 Justification for my startup

Innovates by offering a dual solution of post-harvest loans and advanced storage technologies like Purdue Improved Crop Storage (PICS) bags and Atelic Super chemicals, addressing the pressing needs of smallholder farmers in Tanzania. This integrated approach bridges the gap between financial liquidity and agricultural efficiency, enabling farmers to delay crop sales for better market prices while reducing losses to pests and mold. Our community-centered approach fosters trust and ensures solutions are tailored to local realities, while rigorous impact assessment guides continuous improvement. With a focus on scalability and sustainability, aims to significantly enhance economic resilience and food security among rural farming communities.

06.09 Competitive Analysis

Organizations and initiatives focused on improving the financial and storage capabilities of smallholder farmers in Tanzania. These could range from traditional microfinance institutions offering loans to agricultural cooperatives providing similar storage solutions. What sets our start-up apart from competitors is our integrated approach that combines both financial support and advanced storage solutions tailored specifically for post-harvest management.

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