Kenya - Business creation project

Describe your project or startup in a few words

A low lift pump using the energy of flowing water to lift water to heights of up to 12m for use in small scale irrigation farms and other domestic requirements. The project targets small scale farmers facilities to pump water from flowing streams.

01.01 Describe your project in more detail

The project involves designing a low lift pump that utilises the energy of flowing water to lift water to heights of up to 12m for use in small scale irrigation farms. The project targets small scale farmers and car wash facilities to pump water from flowing streams either directly to the farms or into elevated tanks where the water flows via gravity to point of use. The water will be pumped using the energy of flowing water from a small stream and combine this energy with the principle of air lock to move water up elevated heights of up to 12m.

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

The project aims to improve access to water for irrigation and other small scale uses to the disadvantaged groups especially small scale farmers with improved crop yields. I have learnt from my job as a sales engineer that water pumps are expensive and usually beyond the affordability of many farmers. Furthermore, inadequate access to the electricity grid in remote areas forces small scale farmers to depend on petroleum fuel driven pumps. Increasing prices of petroleum fuel has made it more difficult for these farmers to continue with their activities. access to solar pumps is also hampered by high initial costs leaving farmers with little choice but to take unsustainable loans to purchase these pumps. The project aims to provide a means for the small scale farmers to harness the energy of flowing water to pump water to their farms sustainably.

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

Access to water for irrigation with increased yields. Use of readily available energy in flowing streams with no environmental pollution. Use of readily available and affordable parts to assemble the pump.

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

The project targets small scale farmers and tree seedling growers with operations near flowing streams.

01.05 When did you start working on your project?

2024-05-01

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.)

I am a sales engineer with Davis and Shirtliff Ltd with its headquarters in Kenya. I have worked with the company for 6 years primarily dealing with the provision of water and energy solutions in Kenya. I am particularly experienced in the design of water supply and solar power systems.

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/milton-o-baa8b611a/

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

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification

The project aims to improve access to water for small scale farmers situated alongside flowing streams with increased yields. The affordability and no running costs of the pump will ensure many farmers adopt it to cultivate their farms. Reducing poverty is a key element in a policy for food security, because poor people spend such a large share of their incomes on food, leaving them vulnerable to high food prices, and many poor people obtain much of their income from farming, leaving them vulnerable to declines in agricultural output.

02.02.01 My project contributes to the Zero hunger goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification

The project has a particular focus on enabling small scale farmers access water for irrigation affordably and sustainably. The affordability and no running costs of the pump will ensure many farmers adopt it to cultivate their farms and produce food for their daily consumption and sale at local markets. Increased yields as a result of access to water will ensure increased yields and food security.

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

7 - Strongly Agree

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification

Access to food and income generating activity through sustainable agriculture will ensure good health and wellbeing holistically. Availability of food and income contributes to good health as nutrition ensures improved immunity to common diseases while access to income contributes to general well being.

02.04.01 My project contributes to the Quality education goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification

When farmers can access cheaper energy sources they can use their incomes on paying school fees for their children. The access to water will also ensure that farmers release their children to attend school since they will not need manual labour in the farms to water the crops as happens in many smallholder farms. The extra income from the sale of surplus crops will also ensure that farmers have enough money to pay for school fees and purchase such items as books for their children.

02.05.01 My project contributes to the Gender equality goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification

Women mostly are responsible for collecting water for domestic use and tending to smallholder farms. Access to affordable means of pumping water would release the tension on women while attending to the farms.

02.06.01 My project contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

6

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification

The project's main aim involves provision of water from flowing streams for smallholder farmers. Access to water is closely related to sanitation.

02.07.01 My project contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification

The project intends to harness the energy of flowing water to supply water to point of use. The source of energy is affordable and clean ensuring sustainability.

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

The project will contribute to economic growth as it will allow many farmers to engage in an economic activity that would yield an income eventually.

02.09.01 My project contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

7 - Strongly Agree

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification

The innovation is not yet available in Kenya therefore will be revolutionary. The project will use locally available resources allowing farmers to use what they have within their disposal to assemble their pumps. The main aim is for farmers to have access to this technology and better their lives.

02.10.01 My project contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

4

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

The use of a sustainable source of energy will enable communities to live sustainably while protecting their environments.

02.12.01 My project contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

4

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification

02.13.01 My project contributes to the Climate action goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification

The project allows farmers to access water for irrigation with no environmental emissions.

02.14.01 My project contributes to the Life below water goal

2

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

The project will allow seedling growers with operations near flowing streams to increase their operations with access to affordable means of pumping water. The seedlings are usually replanted to combat desertification and halt 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

02.17.01 My project contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

3

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification

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.

7 - Strongly Agree

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

6

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

4

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

5

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.

2

05.08 Justification

Many farmers use pumps to move water to their farms, therefore the project taps into a field where there are many users. However, the financial implications of the existing pumps on the farmers exclude many farmers from using pumps to improve yields in their farms. The project will bring a new way of pumping water to the fields at no extra cost ensuring that farmers are introduced to a new technology for sustaining yields.

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

The main competitors are suppliers of engine driven pumps, electric pumps and solar pumps. However, this project stands out because it uses readily available energy from flowing stream of water to deliver water needed by smallholder farmers. The project targets farmers with limited access to capital to purchase and operate engine driven, electric or solar pumps.

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

none