Nigeria - Business creation project

Describe your project or startup in a few words

A solar-powered cold storage solution for rural Nigerian farmers, reducing post-harvest losses, ensuring food security, and promoting sustainable development while empowering women through inclusive employment and training.

01.01 Describe your project in more detail

Our project aims to provide rural Nigerian farmers with solar-powered cold storage units to significantly reduce post-harvest losses and ensure food security. These mobile, solar-powered units utilize IoT technology to monitor and maintain optimal storage conditions, preserving perishable produce and extending its shelf life. By leveraging sustainable energy, we offer an affordable and eco-friendly solution that reduces reliance on non-renewable resources and minimizes carbon emissions. The project will be implemented in four phases: R&D, pilot testing, scaling up, and continuous monitoring. We will partner with local agricultural cooperatives, NGOs, and government bodies to ensure widespread adoption and impact. Our approach also emphasizes gender equality, with a focus on inclusive employment and training programs to empower female farmers. This initiative not only boosts farmers' incomes and promotes food security but also aligns with multiple UN Sustainable Development Goals

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

The main problem we are trying to solve is the significant post-harvest losses faced by rural farmers in Nigeria due to inadequate storage facilities. These losses lead to reduced income for farmers, food insecurity, and waste of agricultural produce. Additionally, the lack of sustainable and affordable energy solutions exacerbates this issue, as conventional storage methods are either too expensive or inaccessible in rural areas. By providing solar-powered cold storage units, we aim to preserve perishable goods, ensure food security, and enhance the livelihoods of rural farmers while promoting sustainable energy use and reducing environmental impact.

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

1. Reduction in Post-Harvest Losses: By providing a reliable and affordable storage solution, we significantly decrease the amount of agricultural produce that spoils before reaching the market, thereby increasing farmers' incomes and ensuring a consistent food supply. 2. Sustainable and Affordable Energy: Utilizing solar power makes our cold storage units environmentally friendly and cost-effective. This reduces dependence on non-renewable energy sources and lowers operational costs for farmers, promoting long-term sustainability. 3. Empowerment and Inclusivity: Our project emphasizes gender equality by creating inclusive employment opportunities and offering training programs specifically designed to empower female farmers. This fosters community development and ensures that the benefits of our solution are widely shared.

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

1. Smallholder Farmers: These farmers often face significant post-harvest losses due to inadequate storage, impacting their income and livelihood. Our solution helps preserve their produce, ensuring better market prices and financial stability. 2. Women Farmers: We emphasize gender inclusivity, providing employment and training opportunities to women, empowering them and promoting gender equality in the agricultural sector. 3. Rural Communities: By enhancing food security and increasing the availability of fresh produce, our project benefits the broader rural community, improving overall nutrition and health. 4. Agricultural Cooperatives and Local Markets: These groups benefit from a consistent supply of high-quality produce, fostering local economic growth and and development

01.05 When did you start working on your project?

2024-01-01

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.)

Temitope Adebowale works as an Environment Protection Officer with Environment Protection Authority Victoria. He graduated from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology University, Melbourne (Environmental Engineering, MEng). He worked as a hydrogeologist at CDM Smith for about 3 years after a brief research position at the RMIT University/South East Water. He has a great interest in natural resource management, water supply systems, wastewater treatments and environmental management Dorcas Oruamen is a Risk Consultant. Dorcas Oruamen has utilized her expertise as a Risk Consultant at Charles Zuberu Consulting since 2019, identifying and assessing potential risks, developing and implementing effective risk management strategies, and providing recommendations to management and stakeholders to minimize losses and maximize opportunities

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?

a) Energy (equipment, services, sustainable energy and fuel)

02.01.01 My project contributes to the No poverty goal

6

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification

Our startup contributes to the "No Poverty" goal by significantly reducing post-harvest losses for rural farmers, thereby increasing their income and financial stability. By providing affordable, solar-powered cold storage units, we enable farmers to preserve their produce longer, allowing them to sell at better prices and reduce waste. This increased income helps lift farmers and their families out of poverty, improving their quality of life and economic prospects. Additionally, our focus on gender inclusivity ensures that women farmers also benefit from increased income and empowerment, further contributing to poverty reduction in rural communities.

02.02.01 My project contributes to the Zero hunger goal

6

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification

Our startup contributes to the "Zero Hunger" goal by improving food security in rural Nigeria. By reducing post-harvest losses through our solar-powered cold storage units, we help ensure that more agricultural produce reaches markets and communities without spoilage. This increased availability of fresh and preserved food supports local nutrition and dietary diversity, addressing hunger and malnutrition challenges prevalent in these areas. Moreover, by empowering farmers to store and sell more of their produce effectively, we contribute to stable food supplies and access, thus advancing the broader goal of achieving zero hunger in our target communities.

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

6

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification

Our startup contributes to the "Good Health and Well-being" goal by improving access to nutritious food and reducing food-borne illnesses in rural communities. By implementing solar-powered cold storage units, we enable farmers to store perishable goods safely, maintaining their freshness and nutritional value. This access to fresh and preserved produce enhances dietary diversity and improves overall nutrition among community members, particularly vulnerable groups such as children and pregnant women. Additionally, by reducing reliance on traditional storage methods that may lead to contamination and spoilage, our solution helps mitigate the risk of food-borne diseases, promoting better health outcomes and well-being for rural populations.

02.04.01 My project contributes to the Quality education goal

6

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification

Our startup contributes to the "Quality Education" goal by fostering community development and empowering farmers through targeted training and capacity-building programs. We provide education on the use and maintenance of our solar-powered cold storage units, enhancing farmers' technical skills and knowledge of sustainable agriculture practices. This practical training not only improves their ability to manage and preserve their produce effectively but also introduces them to innovative technologies like IoT for monitoring storage conditions.

02.05.01 My project contributes to the Gender equality goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification

Our startup strongly contributes to the "Gender Equality" goal by actively promoting inclusivity and empowerment of women within the agricultural sector. We ensure gender equality through several key initiatives: 1. Inclusive Employment: We provide equal opportunities for women to work in various roles within our startup, from technical positions to community outreach and management roles. 2.Training and Capacity Building: We offer tailored training programs that specifically target women farmers, empowering them with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively use our solar-powered cold storage units. 3.Leadership and Decision-Making: We encourage and support women to participate in decision-making processes related to our project, fostering their leadership potential and influence within their communities.

02.06.01 My project contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

3

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification

02.07.01 My project contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification

Our startup promotes affordable and clean energy by providing solar-powered cold storage solutions to rural Nigerian farmers, reducing reliance on costly and polluting energy sources like diesel generators. This initiative supports sustainable agriculture and mitigates environmental impact, aligning with global efforts to achieve clean energy goals.

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

Our startup contributes to decent work and economic growth by creating jobs, increasing income opportunities, and fostering skills development among rural farmers in Nigeria through our solar-powered cold storage solutions.

02.09.01 My project contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

7 - Strongly Agree

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification

Our startup contributes to industry innovation and infrastructure by introducing advanced technology—such as solar-powered cold storage units—to enhance agricultural infrastructure in rural Nigeria. This innovation improves efficiency, reduces waste, and promotes sustainable farming practices, thus modernizing and strengthening local agricultural sectors.

02.10.01 My project contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification

02.11.01 My project contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

6

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification

Our startup contributes to sustainable cities and communities by promoting sustainable agricultural practices in rural Nigeria. By introducing solar-powered cold storage solutions, we reduce food waste, enhance food security, and support local economic development. This contributes to more resilient and self-sufficient communities, aligning with the goal of sustainable urbanization and ensuring that rural areas play a vital role in achieving sustainable development.

02.12.01 My project contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

6

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification

Our startup contributes to responsible consumption and production by promoting efficient use of agricultural resources through our solar-powered cold storage solutions. By reducing post-harvest losses and improving preservation of perishable goods, we encourage sustainable consumption patterns. This minimizes food waste, conserves resources, and supports sustainable farming practices in rural Nigeria. Additionally, our use of renewable energy sources like solar power aligns with reducing environmental impact and fostering a more sustainable approach to agricultural production and consumption.

02.13.01 My project contributes to the Climate action goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification

Our startup contributes to climate action by promoting the adoption of renewable energy and sustainable agricultural practices in rural Nigeria. Through our solar-powered cold storage solutions, we reduce reliance on fossil fuels, thereby lowering greenhouse gas emissions associated with conventional energy sources like diesel generators. This transition to clean energy supports climate mitigation efforts by decreasing carbon footprints and mitigating environmental degradation. Additionally, by minimizing post-harvest losses and enhancing resource efficiency, we contribute to building resilience to climate change impacts within agricultural communities. Our initiative aligns with global goals for climate action, promoting sustainable development while addressing environmental challenges.

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

6

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification

Our startup contributes to the "Life on Land" goal by promoting sustainable land use practices and reducing environmental degradation in rural Nigeria. Through our solar-powered cold storage solutions, we help farmers preserve agricultural produce more efficiently, reducing the need for land expansion and deforestation. This contributes to conserving natural habitats and biodiversity, protecting ecosystems essential for wildlife and local flora. By mitigating post-harvest losses and promoting sustainable farming practices, we support the preservation of fertile land and promote soil health, ensuring long-term agricultural productivity while safeguarding biodiversity and ecosystems. Our initiative supports the United Nations' goal of ensuring sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, fostering harmony between agricultural development and environmental conservation.

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

6

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification

Our startup contributes to the "Partnerships for the Goal" by collaborating with various stakeholders including local agricultural cooperatives, NGOs, government agencies, and technology providers. These partnerships are crucial in implementing and scaling our solar-powered cold storage solutions across rural Nigeria. By working together, we leverage expertise, resources, and networks to enhance project effectiveness, reach more communities, and ensure sustainable impact. This collaborative approach fosters innovation, knowledge sharing, and capacity-building within the agricultural sector, promoting inclusive development and achieving shared goals for sustainable development in Nigeria.

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.

3

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

6

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

6

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

7 - Strongly Agree

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 include traditional cold storage providers using grid-based electricity and possibly other emerging startups introducing similar solar-powered solutions

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

Not yet