Kenya - Business creation project

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Bamboo is among the most essential vegetations that can be used in current times that we are in. They are an excellent carbon sequesters as we face this crisis of global warming due to carbon emissions.

01.01 Describe your project in more detail

Bamboo being among the many vegetations that are overly exploited, they can be of great help to deal with the current crisis of global warming. Bamboos are excellent carbon sequesters that can be used to deal with carbon emissions into the atmosphere. Social impact of bamboos is that it is also a good water cleanser and it's leaves is a good source of nutrients to the soil. Economically, they have low initial costs, so it will reduce the investment barden for the farmers but with a much greater income to the farmers.

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

The main problem that this project aims to try and solve is reduction of carbon in the atmosphere. With the increase of carbon emissions into the atmosphere from different industries and vehicles it has lead to global warming which in turn has paved way for climate change, where by we have extreme weather conditions which have had negative health impacts to the human race. With the increase in bamboo zonations in the country there will be a reduction in carbon in the atmosphere and with industries understanding this they can come up with appropriate solutions to help reduce carbon emissions into the atmosphere.

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 of carbon levels in the atmosphere and will help reduce the global warming effect around the world with the increase in Bamboo vegetation. 2. Many water sources are polluted by industries that deposit wastewater into these sources, the bamboo vegetation can be used as a cleansing factor rather than the use of chemicals that are harmful to some point to human health. 3. The bamboo leaves can be used as fertilizers for other crops growing rather than the use of fertilizers that are said to contain chemicals that can be harmful to human consumption. 4. Bamboo wood has been said to be among the highest quality wood in furniture making which can also be beneficial to farmers and carpenters at large.

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

My target beneficiaries are the Nyeri residents where many water sources come from the Mt. Kenya and the Abardare Ranges. The region has also proved to be a good place for the thriving of bamboo vegetation. Nyeri region is a good starting point for the project in that it holds a large number of population and the number of learning institutions around the county in which they can be reach to take part in the project.

01.05 When did you start working on your project?

2023-11-13

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.)

1. Cathrine Nzambi Pursued Bachelor in Sustainable Tourism and Hospitality Management. She has a leadership skillset and is more accurate in planning matter of finances. 2. Oliver Ouma Pursued Bachelor in Sustainable Tourism and Hospitality Management. He is much more into innovation and creativity.

01.09 If you have a website, a social media page (Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin…), or app, please provide the link here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/morgan-okoth-1a3440287?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3B4iJDDSVKR4W2uEj0i8bNPA%3D%3D

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

This is because the bamboo plant can be beneficial in many ways: It is a source of wood and furniture for the farmers that can be sold for income. It is a source of fertilizer as the leaves can be used as manure for other plants. It can be a source of meal in that the barks can be

02.02.01 My project contributes to the Zero hunger goal

5

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification

1. With the reduction in the carbon levels in the atmosphere, climates can be conducive for agricultural practices as effects such as prolonged drought would have been eliminated. 2. The use of bamboo leaves as manure is a great step towards sustainable agricultural practices rather than the use of chemicalized fertilizers. 3. Bamboo sprouts have shown to be a good source of nutrients when included in meals and this is a good step towards achieving food security.

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

5

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification

The bamboo shoots have good amounts of thiamine, niacin, vitamin A, VITAMIN B6, and vitamin E. With high levels of fiber and very few calories per serving, bamboo shoots are a great way to lower your levels of cholesterol. This, in turn, can reduce the risk of heart disease. From digestive disorders to pregnancy-related nausea, there are plenty of reasons you might want to increase your appetite using the help of the bamboo shoots.

02.04.01 My project contributes to the Quality education goal

5

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification

Little is known about the benefits of bamboo to our environment other than its use as furniture. Bamboo is of great essence in maintaining and regulating atmospheric conditions for the sustainability of mankind and this gives an opportunity for learners to gain more information and knowledge about this important trees.

02.05.01 My project contributes to the Gender equality goal

5

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification

Considering that the project already has one female in it, this is a big proof that girls and women would be considered in this project. Most of the farming will be done majorly by girls and women, this has always been considered as their specialty in matters to do with farming and agriculture.

02.06.01 My project contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

6

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification

Bamboo has been known to have the ability in water cleansing ability and this can be of great benefit to the water sources in obtaining clean water for consumption. Bamboo has also been used as a standard measure of sanitation in that it thrives best in a clean and serene environment.

02.07.01 My project contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification

Bamboo can be processed into charcoal, biofuel, and pellets, offering various green energy options. Bamboo charcoal, for instance, burns cleaner and longer than traditional wood charcoal, making it an excellent choice for cooking and heating.

02.08.01 My project contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

5

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification

Bamboo grows at a very fast rate, it takes about 3 years to be established and once established the new shoot that emerges will only grow for 60 days from there it gets bigger as it matures which is a little time to provide economic growth. Bamboo is sustainable in all sectors, be it economically, socially and environmentally

02.09.01 My project contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

5

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification

Bamboo has helped in the making of bamboo roofs and is also used as a beautifier in most rooms when young, bamboo floors have also been used to prevent rooms from getting cold. Bamboo has since been used in the making of small boats for rural people near water bodies. Houses have also been built entirely on Bamboo alone which have been beautiful.

02.10.01 My project contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification

Bamboo planting is not gender-based in that anybody can plant them as they want. This will help to remove the biases of which activities can be done by males and others by females.

02.11.01 My project contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification

Bamboo vegetation is environment friendly and this will provide conducive climatic conditions in cities for the better human settlement in this cities away from conditions of UV radiations and prolonged drought. Bamboo also offer shade and cool environments which are conducive during sunny days in the cities.

02.12.01 My project contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

6

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification

Bamboo grows at a really fast rate which provides a good source of consumption as the shoots are edible. Bamboo is a degradable product and it will be used to take some responsibilities that plastic bags have been doing as the bamboo is not harmful to the environment.

02.13.01 My project contributes to the Climate action goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification

Bamboo is among the most essential vegetation that can be used in the current times that we are in. They are excellent carbon sequesters as we face this crisis of global warming due to carbon emissions.

02.14.01 My project contributes to the Life below water goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification

Bamboo has a cleansing ability near water sources and when they are planted around water sources and measures are put in place to condemn industries from pouring their waste water into these rivers then oceans, seas, and marine sources would be preserved and the aquatic life would thrive more.

02.15.01 My project contributes to the Life on land goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification

Bamboo leaves are a good source of fertilizer and this can help enrich the land with more nutrients, bamboo also acts as good catchment areas in that they can help to reduce soil erosion in regions prone to heavy rains and flooding areas.

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

4

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

When the project is partnered with the Kenya Forest Service they can help identify regions that are good for the planting of the bamboo. The county government so as provides us with access to various regions for bamboo planting. The National government is taking part in the Planting Trees initiative that is ongoing in the country. The ministry of education so that aspiring pioneers are informed on the essence of the project to them and the globe at large.

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

7 - Strongly Agree

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

4

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.

7 - Strongly Agree

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.

6

05.08 Justification

Bamboo has been used from ancient times majorly by people in the Asian continent so this product that we are trying to create is already in use. The bamboo products we envision creating are not entirely new products as some are in other continents and they are not that popular in the African continent. The bamboo products we envision creating could represent a portion of new technology in the renewable energy sector or green energy. The bamboo products are an improvement to the existing products through the use of modern technology to improve their efficiency and effectiveness. Bamboo products/services could be described as an extension of a range of products/services in that the bamboo can be used for a variety of purposes environmentally, economically, and socially. Bamboo comes at a time when the demand for carbon reduction in the atmosphere is crucial thus meeting these demands. The bamboo products/service we envision creating is a newer version of the existing product.

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

Native grass farmers as this grasses also help in the absorption of carbon from the atmosphere but the competitive advantage that bamboo has is that; the native grasses are prone to grazing from livestock and most areas that they grow are turned into farms which reduces their efficiency and effectiveness towards the environment.

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

Yes, i am working together with the department of culture and tourism Nyeri by putting up programs that will encourage more female participation and involvement such as genital pad distribution.