Kenya - Business creation project

Describe your project or startup in a few words

The project is about developing yarn from banana stems which are considered to be waste after harvest of bananas. The banana stems contain fibres that can be turned to yarn and the yarn can be used to make things like mats, baskets and bags.

01.01 Describe your project in more detail

According to research banana pseudostems (BPS), which comprise about 60% of a banana plant's mass, represent a significant waste fraction in banana farms as they are cut down after each harvest. These banana stems are either left as mulch, thrown away to rot or fed to cattle. This project aims at recycling this waste and add value to it. The startup will turn the banana stems into fibres , these fibres can be woven as they are to make mats or spinned into yarn which is used to make bags,hats and baskets. These leads to production of natural fibres which are biodegradable and environmental friendly.

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

Recycling waste, the stems are considered as waste and can pollute the environment . The startup aims at turning this waste to a valuable commodity which consequently creates jobs and contributes to the overall economy.

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, The product is biodegradable hence eco-friendly 2. Through production jobs are created for the community which leads to economic growth 3. Reduction in environmental production by utilization of waste. 4. Conservation of energy since there is little to none carbon footprint.

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

1. The farmers will find somewhere to take the banana stems 2. The weavers- yarn to use in their weaving/ 3.T he community-job creation

01.05 When did you start working on your project?

2024-05-18

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

0

01.07 Among the other partners, how many are female?

0

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

Not Applicable

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

6

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification

The start-up contributes to the no poverty goal through creating employment for the people involved in the manufacturing, the mat weavers and basket weavers and marketers of the yarn. Also the banana stems are considered waste by the farmers but getting this raw material for a price will also be an added income to the farmer from banana farming.

02.02.01 My project contributes to the Zero hunger goal

6

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification

The startup will contribute by empowering the employees financially which increases their purchasing power hence they can be able to cater for their basic needs. Also by getting the stems from the farmers at a fee it will encourage more growth of banana trees which consequently increases the food production which will be readily available for consumption.

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 startup will contribute to good health and well-being by reusing that which is regarded as waste( banana stems) . This will ensure a clean environment which ensures good health is maintained.

02.04.01 My project contributes to the Quality education goal

5

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification

Through the project will can educate the community on recycling of waste into something of value.

02.05.01 My project contributes to the Gender equality goal

6

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification

After the startup has been established manufacture of absorbent material will be developed this is to produce eco friendly and affordable pads for the women and girls.

02.06.01 My project contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

5

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification

By recycling that which is considered waste this leads to a clean environment since the waste will not be improperly disposed leading hence proper sanitation is maintained.

02.07.01 My project contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

4

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification

N/A

02.08.01 My project contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

6

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification

The project aims at empowering the community around it financially and consequently contribute to the GDP, also through taxes the production company can contribute to economic growth. Also development of a production plant will trigger establishment of other social amenities like roads, rental homes,schools which will contribute to economic growth. This institutions including the production plant will need workers, distributors and this provides decent work for all.

02.09.01 My project contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

5

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification

The machines to be used contribute to the innovation because they can be developed in Kenya by our able engineers at Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute.

02.10.01 My project contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

4

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification

N/A

02.11.01 My project contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

5

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification

Through job creation the community will increase their purchasing power hence they can sustain themselves which will reduce the people without jobs and consequently reduce crime.

02.12.01 My project contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

5

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification

02.13.01 My project contributes to the Climate action goal

6

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification

02.14.01 My project contributes to the Life below water goal

4

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification

N/A

02.15.01 My project contributes to the Life on land goal

5

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification

Through environmental preservation by recycling waste hence reduce biodiversity loss.

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

4

02.16.02 Peace justice and strong institutions - Justification

N/A

02.17.01 My project contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

4

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification

I will partner with

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

3

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.

3

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

3

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

4

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

3

05.08 Justification

Not Applicable

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

Importation from China, many of the yarn in kenya are imported from china but I stand out from them because of the make it Kenya initiative which strives to ensure we develop and consume our own products. Hence people will be more inclined to buy yarn in kenya which is readily available than import from China which takes a while to arrive.

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

In my church I organize seminars where other entrepreneurs come and talk to other ladies and encourage them on the journey of entrepreneurship. In the same seminar the startups or already established entrepreneurs showcase their business and through this they are able to gain financially and obtain visibility among customers.