South Africa - Business creation project

Describe your project or startup in a few words

HarvestConnect offers a straightforward digital platform that enables farmers, retailers, and manufacturers to efficiently and transparently conduct all facets of commodity trading. HarvestConnect aims to revolutionize the agricultural trading landscape.

01.01 Describe your project in more detail

A user-friendly platfom, HarvestConnect offers small to medium-scale farmers an innovative platform to directly sell their produce or livestock to a range of buyers, including agricultural businesses, retailers, restaurants, and consumers. This system expands market access, enhances supply chain transparency, and fosters direct engagement with buyers. Consequently, it can increase farmers' income, minimize waste and carbon emissions, and provide consumers with fresher produce.ndly digital platform facilitates seamless commodity trading for small scale farmers.

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

By building a more connected and sustainable value chain within communities, HarvestConnect addresses the issues inherent in traditional agricultural systems.

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

HarvestConnect will save you money and time by streamlining the procurement of fresh produce. The app operates on a secure and transparent platform, improving cash flow for producers and reducing sourcing and logistics costs. Buyers can schedule deliveries for specific dates, and HarvestConnect can operate across all provinces. The platform can host a vast number of merchants (farmers), and both farmers and buyers can track performance metrics. The HarvestConnect app will be able meets the demand for effortless convenience, providing easy-to-use, on-demand solutions.

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

This initiative will bring mutual benefits to both farmers and sellers. Through the HarvestConnect platform, we aim to achieve several advantages: Signing up for HarvestConnect is quick and straightforward for farmers Order processing is simple and convenient Improved cash flow Tools for communication Rating and evaluation of system Our project endeavors to revolutionize traditional farming practices by establishing direct connections between farmers and buyers. We envision a significant shift towards online platforms within the agricultural sector in rural areas, effectively breaking free from the constraints imposed by geographical location.

01.05 When did you start working on your project?

2024-09-08

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

1

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.)

My name is Bulelwa Ndiweni, and I've harbored a lifelong passion for agriculture. Despite its challenges, breaking into this industry has been a personal aspiration of mine. Currently employed as an administrator in the banking sector and juggling the responsibilities of being a single mom, I'm determined to find a way to pursue my interest in farming.

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?

b) Materials (agriculture, fishing, chemical products, construction materials, containers and packaging, metals and mining, paper and forest products)

02.01.01 My project contributes to the No poverty goal

5

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification

HarvestConnect is positioned to profoundly influence small-scale rural farming as a crucial driver of economic activity within these communities. Through its engagement with small-scale farmers, the platform not only opens doors to new employment prospects and widens income streams through heightened productivity but also augments their revenues from agricultural product sales, thereby fortifying household resilience. Furthermore, serving as a central information exchange hub.

02.02.01 My project contributes to the Zero hunger goal

4

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification

Addressing world hunger entails more than simply increasing food production. It involves stimulating the market for small-scale rural farmers and transforming the way food is distributed.

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

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification

None

02.04.01 My project contributes to the Quality education goal

5

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification

The advent of technology, encompassing the internet, phones, computers, tablets, and various platforms, has dramatically altered our daily routines. Integration of e-commerce platforms into rural agricultural sectors has ushered in fresh prospects for farmers and producers to tap into broader markets. These platforms serve as catalysts for growth, efficiency, and expanded market reach for rural farmers. As rural revitalization gains momentum, e-commerce emerges as a pivotal tool in agricultural development, fostering diversification, smart farming practices, and the establishment of e-commerce trading platforms.

02.05.01 My project contributes to the Gender equality goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification

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

3

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification

02.08.01 My project contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

5

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification

By enabling smallholder farmers to sell their produce directly to consumers or larger buyers, agricultural e-commerce platforms empower these farmers economically. This empowerment can lead to reduced inequalities by providing smallholders with a more equitable share of the profits generated from agricultural activities.

02.09.01 My project contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

3

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification

02.10.01 My project contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification

The HarvestConnect platform can facilitate the inclusion of marginalized groups, such as women and minority farmers, in agricultural supply chains by providing them with a platform to sell their products

02.11.01 My project contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

4

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification

02.12.01 My project contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

3

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification

02.13.01 My project contributes to the Climate action goal

4

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification

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

5

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification

Smallholder producers can generate higher income, link with established third-party markets, minimize post-harvest wastage, and utilize social media for free or cheap marketing.

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

5

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification

Partnering with e-commerce platforms can be a game-changer for farmers, providing them with a wider reach and access to consumers beyond their local markets

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

6

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

5

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

7 - Strongly Agree

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

3

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

2

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

5

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

5

05.08 Justification

Agricultural e-commerce is expected to significantly boost farmers' incomes and reduce middlemen's impact, thereby enhancing livelihoods and promoting inclusion.

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

Tridge, operates internationally centred around importing. HarvestConnect will operate locally.

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

None