Kenya - Business creation project

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Innovative, Sustainable farming solution that maximizes crop yields and conserves resources by combining soilless plant cultivation with fish farming, creating a symbiotic ecosystem for food production.

01.01 Describe your project in more detail

In response to pressing challenges such as food security, water scarcity and environmental degradation in kenya, we propose a transformative approach through Hydroponics the method of growing plants without soil and aquaponics which integrates fish farming with hydroponics in a symbiotic environment. These innovative farming methods not only enhance crop yields and quality but also address employment opportunities for youth and contribute to climate change adaptation.

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

Traditional farming methods in Kenya struggles with: 1. Food security - Inconsistent yields due to climate variability and pests. 2. Water Scarcity - Limited access to freshwater for irrigation, exacerbated by climate change. 3. Environmental Impact - Soil degradation from intensive farming practices and chemical inputs. 4. Youth employment - High unemployment rates in both rural and urban areas, particularly among the youth. 5. Climate change - Increasing vulnerability to droughts, floods and erratic weather patterns.

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

Our approach with hydroponics involves cultivating plants in nutrient-rich water solutions, ensuring precise control over environmental factors like pH levels and nutrient concentrations. Aquaponics enhances this system by utilizing fish waste as a natural fertilizer for plants, creating a closed loop ecosystem that maximizes resource efficiency and reduces environmental impact. This method offers multiple advantages over traditional methods: 1. Yield and productivity - controlled environments optimize growth cycles, resulting in higher and more predictable yields year-round. 2. Environmental impact - reduction in water usage, minimal soil disturbance, preserving land fertility. 3. Food security and quality - pesticide free, nutrient -rich produce with consistent quality with longer shelf life, meeting high standards for local consumption and export. 4. Space efficiency - Urban areas and degraded land 5. Economic viability - direct sales, retail partnership 6. Educational opportunity

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

1. Urban households: Health-conscious consumers seeking fresh, locally grown produce. 2. Retail chains: Supermarkets and grocery stores interested in stocking premium, sustainable products. 3. Hospitality industry: High end restaurants and hotels priotizing quality and sourcing transparency. 4. Institutions: Schools, universities and hospitals desiring reliable, safe food sources. 5. Export market: Regional and international markets with growing demand for sustainable agriculture products.

01.05 When did you start working on your project?

2024-01-06

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

1

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.)

Geofrey Mokaya Education - Bsc. Biotechnology and Biosafety Experience - Sales and marketing team leader Skill- Geofrey brings in essential exper

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/geofrey-mokaya-028208175?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=android_app

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

7 - Strongly Agree

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification

Youth employment - high unemployment rate among the youth in Kenya. Local youths will benefit greatly from this project in form of employment, training programs and workshops offered that will empower the community with skills in sustainable agriculture,

02.02.01 My project contributes to the Zero hunger goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification

This project aims to Increase crop yield and productivity, ensuring food security and quality

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

This project targets Health-conscious consumers seeking fresh, locally grown produce.

02.04.01 My project contributes to the Quality education goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification

This project aims to provide educational opportunities in form of training programs and workshops to empower local communities with skills in sustainable agriculture, fostering long-term resilience.

02.05.01 My project contributes to the Gender equality goal

6

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification

Our project champions diversity and empowerment, starting with commitment to fostering female leadership and participation from day one.

02.06.01 My project contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification

Our project significant reduction in water usage of upto 90% less than conventional farming and minimal soil disturbance, preserving land fertility.

02.07.01 My project contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

6

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification

Our project contribute to a more sustainable and energy efficient future by promoting resource efficiency, reducing environmental impact, and conserving water, thus playing crucial roles in achieving cleaner energy and economic viability.

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

Through job creation, resource efficiency and premium product potential will promote economic growth.

02.09.01 My project contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

7 - Strongly Agree

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification

By enabling efficient soil-less growing methods that can yield more produce in less space with less water supports sustainable agriculture by reducing the need of fertilizers and pesticides. For infrastructure this systems can be integrated into urban environments, repurposing unused spaces like rooftops or abandoned lots for food production thus enhancing food security and local economy.

02.10.01 My project contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification

By increasing access to fresh produce in areas with limited agricultural land, creating jobs and training opportunities in urban and rural communities, empowering individuals with the means to grow their own food, fostering self- sufficiency and supporting local economy by reducing need for imported goods.

02.11.01 My project contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification

This project is suitable for urban areas and degraded land thus maximizing land use.

02.12.01 My project contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification

Controlled environments optimize growth cycles, resulting in higher and more predictable yields year- round.

02.13.01 My project contributes to the Climate action goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification

This project aims to neutralize effects of climate change which has increased vulnerability to droughts, floods and erratic weather patterns.

02.14.01 My project contributes to the Life below water goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification

The project aims to improve food security, water conservation, sustainable livelihoods and climate resilience.

02.15.01 My project contributes to the Life on land goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification

The project aims to reduce land degradation by eliminating the need for soil, reducing erosion and degradation, Efficient use of water, minimized pesticides, carbon footprint and biodiversity by creating balanced ecosystem and alternative to overfishing.

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

7 - Strongly Agree

02.16.02 Peace justice and strong institutions - Justification

Our project fosters community engagement and co-operation around shared goals of sustainability, providing equitable access to nutritious food which is a foundation for social stability, supporting transparent and responsible practices in food production, aligning with ethical governance and encouraging innovation

02.17.01 My project contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification

Through knowledge sharing and capacity building, local and global partnership, technology transfer and resilience and adaptation.

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

4

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.

6

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.

3

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

Ai and machine learning is being implemented into hydroponics to optimize growth conditions and yields, IoT- enabled hydroponics devices allow for remote monitoring and control of hydroponic system and automation enable precise control of environmental conditions in both hydroponics and aquaponics

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

Our project aims at ensuring food security is achieved here is our main key differentiators 1. Local focus and economic impact: supporting local economies through job creation and community engagement 2. Health and nutrition focus : providing safe, nutritious produce free from harmful chemicals Technology innovation: Advanced farming systems integrating IoT for real time monitoring and optimization Sustainability: Water and resource efficiency, reducing carbon footprint and promoting environmental stewardship.

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

Our project champions diversity and empowerment, starting with commitment to fostering female leadership and participation from day one.