Kenya - Business creation project

Describe your project or startup in a few words

SustainaFeeds is an Agritech startup recycling food waste collected from hotels and restaurants into animal feeds by using black soldier flies to decompose the organic waste into larvae which is a sustainable and nutritious alternative for poultry feed.

01.01 Describe your project in more detail

Our business aims to recycle food waste into valuable resources by harnessing the power of black soldier flies. We will utilize these insects to efficiently convert food waste into nutrient-rich larvae, which can be dried and packaged as a sustainable protein source for animal feed, especially pigs and poultry. Additionally, a portion of the black soldier flies will be allowed to breed and reproduce, ensuring a continuous and autonomous source of this beneficial insect. This comprehensive approach maximizes resource utilization, minimizes waste, and fosters a sustainable and environmentally friendly solution for organic waste management.

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

SustainaFeeds Organics aims to solve the problem of organic waste management in the restaurant and hotel industry. The business addresses the challenge of food waste disposal, which contributes to environmental pollution and wastage of valuable resources. By recycling food waste and transforming it into feed for pigs and poultry, SustainaFeeds Organics helps divert organic waste from landfills while providing a sustainable and nutritious alternative for animal feed. This reduces the environmental impact of food waste and offers a circular solution that supports local agriculture and contributes to a more sustainable and efficient food system.

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

Here are three significant benefits of our service using black soldier flies to convert food waste into animal feed: Sustainable Protein Source: We transform food waste into nutrient-rich insect larvae, offering a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to traditional protein sources like fishmeal or soy. This reduces pressure on land and fisheries, promoting a more balanced ecosystem. Waste Reduction & Resource Recovery: Our approach diverts food waste from landfills, minimizing methane emissions and environmental impact. We promote a circular economy and resource efficiency by turning waste into valuable animal feed. Closed-Loop System: Breeding our black soldier flies creates an autonomous system. We utilize the larvae for feed while allowing a portion to reproduce, ensuring a continuous supply of these beneficial insects without relying on external sources. This minimizes waste and maximizes resource utilization.

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

Our project targets several key beneficiaries: Animal Feed Producers: We provide a sustainable and eco-friendly insect larvae protein source that can supplement or replace traditional fishmeal or soy in animal feed formulations. Waste Management Companies: Our project offers a solution to divert food waste from landfills, reducing their environmental impact and potentially lowering disposal costs. Environmentally Conscious Consumers: By supporting our products, consumers can indirectly contribute to a more sustainable food system that reduces waste and promotes resource recovery.

01.05 When did you start working on your project?

2023-01-01

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.)

Deen Vincent - (Co-Founder & COO): An experienced product manager with a strong background in science and technology, He is dedicated to developing and implementing impactful solutions in the circular economy and food system for Africa. Philemon Ondigo - (Co-Founder & CTO): A highly skilled software developer, innovator & entrepreneur with a background in computer technology and a passion for leveraging technology for positive environmental impact. Serah Samuel(Founder & CEO): A circular economy, climate action, and social entrepreneurship Enthusiast. Serah leverages her expertise to cultivate entrepreneurial, innovative ideas to create sustainable solutions

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

https://sustainafeeds.netlify.app/

01.10 Which industry best describes your project?

l) Agriculture

02.01.01 My project contributes to the No poverty goal

6

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification

While my project doesn't directly target poverty reduction, it can indirectly contribute to the No Poverty goal in a few ways: Job creation - The project provides an opportunity for job creation, especially in the local communities, through waste collection, black soldier farming, and the production of insect-based feed. Increased income for farmers - By offering a sustainable and potentially lower-cost protein source for animal feed, your product can help livestock farmers reduce their production expenses. This can improve their profit margins and contribute to their livelihoods. Increased food security - My project can contribute to long-term food insecurity by creating a more efficient food system that reduces waste and promotes resource recovery. This can have a ripple effect on poverty reduction, as stable food supplies are essential for poverty alleviation.

02.02.01 My project contributes to the Zero hunger goal

6

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification

My project contributes to this goal by reducing food waste and converting it into a nutritious protein source for animal feed. This can help to: Increasing availability of affordable feed for poultry leads to higher food production. Reducing reliance on traditional animal feed such as soy and fishmeal frees up land and resources for growing food for human consumption. It promotes more sustainable agricultural practices by reducing the environmental impact of food waste.

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

4

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification

Here's why your project contributes somewhat to this SDG: Alternative protein source: Black soldier fly larvae offer a nutritious and potentially more sustainable protein source than traditional options like red meat. This could contribute to healthier diets for animals raised for food.

02.04.01 My project contributes to the Quality education goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification

02.05.01 My project contributes to the Gender equality goal

4

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification

The goal is also to support women through employment while also supporting various women-focused initiatives through our CSR approach.

02.06.01 My project contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification

02.07.01 My project contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification

02.08.01 My project contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

5

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification

02.09.01 My project contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

7 - Strongly Agree

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification

Innovation: Black soldier fly larvae as a protein source represent a significant innovation in waste management and resource recovery. It diverts food waste from landfills and transforms it into a valuable product. Sustainable industrialization: Our project promotes a more sustainable industrialization within the animal feed sector. By providing an alternative protein source, you can help reduce reliance on traditional methods that may have a larger environmental footprint. Infrastructure development: Our project has the potential to necessitate the development of new infrastructure for black soldier fly farming and insect-based feed production. This could create new jobs and boost the economy.

02.10.01 My project contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

3

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification

Job creation: Our project has the potential to create new jobs in areas like waste collection, black soldier fly farming, and the production of insect-based feed. This can improve economic opportunities in local communities, especially in developing countries. Reduced costs for farmers: By offering a potentially lower-cost and sustainable protein source for animal feed, our project could benefit smallholder farmers by lowering their production expenses and increasing their profit margins.

02.11.01 My project contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

6

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification

Our project contributes to Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11) in several ways: Waste Reduction: Our project directly tackles a significant challenge in urban areas by diverting food waste from landfills. Landfills can be a source of pollution and public health concerns. Reducing waste sent to landfills promotes cleaner and healthier cities. Circular Economy: Our project promotes a circular economy within cities. Food scraps, a waste product, are transformed into a valuable resource (insect-based feed) that can be used locally. This reduces reliance on external resources and promotes resource efficiency in urban environments.

02.12.01 My project contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification

Our project directly targets Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12) by promoting a circular economy through several vital mechanisms: Waste Reduction & Resource Recovery: We are diverting food waste, a major environmental burden, and transforming it into a valuable resource – insect-based animal feed. This reduces reliance on landfills and promotes resource efficiency. Closed-Loop System: Breeding our black soldier flies creates an autonomous system, minimizing external inputs and waste. The waste generated (frass) can be used as fertilizer, further closing the loop. Sustainable Alternative Protein Source: Insect-based feed offers a more sustainable alternative to traditional protein sources like fishmeal or soy, which can have environmental drawbacks associated with production.

02.13.01 My project contributes to the Climate action goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification

Our project has the potential to contribute positively to Climate Action (SDG 13) in several ways: Reduced Methane Emissions: Diverting food waste from landfills significantly reduces methane emissions. Landfills are a significant source of methane, a potent greenhouse gas contributing to climate change. Our project helps mitigate this issue. Reduced Reliance on Resource-Intensive Feed Sources: By offering an alternative to traditional protein sources like fishmeal and soy, our project can help reduce the environmental impact of feed production. Fishmeal production can pressure fish stocks, while soy production can involve deforestation and land-use changes.

02.14.01 My project contributes to the Life below water goal

5

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification

Our project indirectly positively impacts Life Below Water (SDG 14). Here's why: Reduced Reliance on Fishmeal: By offering a sustainable alternative protein source for animal feed (black soldier fly larvae), our project can help reduce demand for fishmeal. Fishmeal is traditionally produced from wild-caught fish, and overfishing can negatively impact ocean ecosystems.

02.15.01 My project contributes to the Life on land goal

5

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification

Our project has the potential to make a positive impact on Life on Land (SDG 15) in a few key ways: Reduced Reliance on Soy: By offering an alternative protein source for animal feed, our project can help reduce the demand for soy. Soy production is a significant driver of deforestation, particularly in the Amazon rainforest. As forests are cleared for soy cultivation, it can lead to habitat loss for wildlife and contribute to biodiversity loss. Improved Soil Health: The frass produced by black soldier fly larvae can be used as a fertilizer. This organic fertilizer can improve soil health and fertility, promoting sustainable land management practices.

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

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.16.02 Peace justice and strong institutions - Justification

02.17.01 My project contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

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.

3

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

2

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.

3

05.08 Justification

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

In Kenya, our main potential competitors could be: Established Fishmeal Suppliers: Existing fishmeal suppliers might look to integrate black soldier fly larvae as an alternative or supplement to their offerings. Small-scale Black Soldier Fly Operations: Small players might already use black soldier flies for waste management or animal feed production on a limited scale. Here's what makes our project stand out: Focus on Sustainability: We emphasize a closed-loop system for breeding black soldier flies, minimizing waste, and promoting resource efficiency. This can differentiate you from competitors who might not focus intensely on sustainability. Waste Management Expertise: We focus on creating partnerships in waste collection and processing, which can be a competitive advantage, as managing the incoming food waste stream is crucial. We focus on specific target markets like small and medium-sized livestock farmers to help us establish a niche avoid direct competition

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

While most of these initiatives are currently on hold due to financial constraints, I have been running mentorships for girls, focusing on ways to prevent teen pregnancy. In addition, my goal is to support teen mothers by providing them with vocational training so they can be able to have work to do to earn an income.