Kenya - Business creation project

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Smallholder farmers practice subsistence farming though their efforts can be converted into profits earning venture.In Kenya specifically south belt (Bomet and Narok counties)pumpkins are plenty with no market,thus the wastage of food supplies.

01.01 Describe your project in more detail

Pumpkins Agribusiness Project will generally revolves around a farmer selling their produce directly from their farm gates.In this scenario I am interested in being a link between farmers and the market.Smallholder farmers usually have just knowledge on farming but not on the market.In this regard the biggest achievement will be to have a truck/lorry for transportation of pumpkins to various markets specifically Nairobi and its metropolis. I propose to work on this sector because agribusiness employ many people than any other sector in Kenya.I am confident in this proposal because I have been doing my feasibility study and realized the need to create a link between rural and urban life in business wise. My plan is not only for local but also export market as the enterprise will expand to be a very busy industry.There is also a plan on doing value addition like processing the pumpkins to produce floor from the same harvest.

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

Main aim is to maximize food wastage because farmers harvest in surplus and the remains are left to rot in the open fields because what remains after harvest and consumption are not collected.In this regard urban centers require pumpkins for their daily meals but are not readily available in various markets or if available the quality is not that pleasing. Unemployment among women and youths is also my target.This is because when they realize that market is available for the pumpkins ,they will start doing farming to actualize their daily needs. Poverty eradication through agribusiness as farmers will earn a decent living through sale of their harvest,the earnings will enable parents pay school fees for their children and also proper clothing. Diversification in that apart from other agriculture practices such as dairy ,smallholder farmers will benefit from both sectors of land practices.

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

With the possession of lorry/truck for transportation of farm products ,time will be saved both from farmers and enterprise.Farmers will be sure of their produce being harvested on time and enterprise sure of reaching the market on time rather in the case of hiring. Farmers will also utilize their idle land into productive ventures. On the other hand pumpkins are one of the nutritious plant and consumed both the fruit,seeds and leaves.These ensures that malnutrition in the society both rural and urban cases are reduced. Pumpkins are also easy to store thus no threats on time taken to completely sale the produce in the markets.Pumpkins are also easy to prepare than any other meals in every homestead.

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

Farmers are my main target.With my life revolves around farming ,farmers face many problems especially middlemen who take advantage of their ability to manipulate farmers to sale their produce on low cost. Women and youths will also benefit because they are the main players in all aspects of agribusiness.The enterprise will also benefit through revenue generations.

01.05 When did you start working on your project?

2018-01-01

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

1

01.07 Among the other partners, how many are female?

2

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

Sales,agripreneur,analysts.

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

https://www.facebook.com/koeh.leonardhttps://www.facebook.com/koeh.leonard

01.10 Which industry best describes your project?

l) Agriculture

02.01.01 My project contributes to the No poverty goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification

Smallholder farmers will benefit in both subsistence and commercial wise.The earnings that they will get from selling pumpkins (Pumpkins Agribusiness )being the main market,the living standards will improve in many ways.Poverty eradication in rural areas is easy to deal with considering agriculture is well empowered.With my expansive knowledge in agriculture,my focus will be to ensure farmers improve their way of lives.

02.02.01 My project contributes to the Zero hunger goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification

Farmers will also utilize parts of pumpkins harvest for consumption.Pumpkins can be stored for about 8 without going waste ,with the current predicted la nina conditions on weather changes ,farmers will be food secured for a long time as they continue getting income streams form other areas of land practices.

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

Pumpkin seeds, often overlooked in favor of the delicious pumpkin pie or roasted pumpkin itself, pack a powerful punch when it comes to health benefits. These tiny, unassuming seeds are a nutritional powerhouse that can contribute to your overall well-being in various Health ways. 1. Rich Source of Nutrients Pumpkin seeds are nutrient-dense, meaning they are loaded with essential vitamins and minerals that your body needs to function optimally. These seeds are a great source of protein, healthy fats, fiber, magnesium, potassium, iron, zinc, and antioxidants. Incorporating them into your diet can help fill nutritional gaps and support your overall health. 2. Heart Health Support One of the standout benefits of pumpkin seeds is their potential to support heart health. They contain magnesium, a mineral vital for heart function and blood pressure regulation. Consuming pumpkin seeds regularly assist in maintaining healthy blood pressure levels, reduce the risk of high cholesterol.

02.04.01 My project contributes to the Quality education goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification

The business will also conduct regular on-the-ground training to farmers through its agronomists and additional trainer education to disseminate best practices throughout its network. Health and nutritional standards of households will improve in the community we will work in. Employment for youth and women in pumpkin growing and value addition created within one year in the enterprise.

02.05.01 My project contributes to the Gender equality goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification

Women will get most activities being done with the assistance of agribusiness project.There will be a balance on labor distribution within the enterprise.Such that works like clerks,office assistance will be prioritized on women.

02.06.01 My project contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification

Partnership with other organizations will ensure other basic needs like water for sanitation will be provided to communities .

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 earnings from the produce will assist farmers in buying solar for energy in their homes.Communities will also be thought on bio gas production.

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

Anybody involved along the chain of agribusiness will see their lives change.For example if one farmer has 400 pieces of pumpkins harvest with a good rate of hundred 150 thus the earnings will be 400*150=60,000 this will ensure stable living standard for the farmer in the next 3-4 months.

02.09.01 My project contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

7 - Strongly Agree

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification

Rural urban linkage.With the plan on value addition there will be innovation in various aspects along the supply chain.

02.10.01 My project contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification

Everybody will benefit from the activities in the project implementation

02.11.01 My project contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification

02.12.01 My project contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

7 - Strongly Agree

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

02.14.01 My project contributes to the Life below water goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification

02.15.01 My project contributes to the Life on land goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification

Utilization of idle lands

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

02.17.01 My project contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

7 - Strongly Agree

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.

7 - Strongly Agree

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.

7 - Strongly Agree

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.

7 - Strongly Agree

05.08 Justification

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

Existing sellers .In my case I will be involved in providing quality harvests in the market.I will also target wholesale buyers instead of retail markets

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

yes,women will play major roles from farm to the market.