Kenya - Business creation project

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Project idea is to assist Tana River milk producing farmers to prolong shelf lifespan of their milk through freezing services and value addition of the milk with support of solar powered boiling and freezing technology with a goal of enhancing livelihood

01.01 Describe your project in more detail

The project for milk storage involves creating a temperature-controlled storage facility specifically designed to preserve the freshness and quality of milk. The facility will be equipped with advanced solar powered state of art refrigeration, boiling freezing systems and temperature monitoring devices to maintain optimal storage conditions. Specialized insulation materials will ensure energy efficiency and prevent temperature fluctuations. The layout will be optimized for efficient storage and retrieval of milk crates or containers.strict hygiene protocols will be implemented to maintain cleanliness and prevent contamination.the cold room will provide a reliable controlled environment to extend the shelf life of milk products and minimize waste with projected value addition of chain products from the milk.

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

Milk Wastage, Excess milk production often leads to wastage due to the lack of adequate storage facilities. Which results in economic losses for dairy farmers. Market Instability, Seasonal fluctuations in milk production disrupts the supply chain and lead to market instability. Limited Access to Dairy Products, In Tana Delta with excess milk production, has inadequate storage, hence a limited access to dairy products. Income Insecurity has made farmers struggle to sell their milk at profitable prices, leading to income insecurity. Technological Gap, Tana Delta areas are known of lack access to modern technologies, including refrigeration systems. Environmental Impact, Wasted milk contributes to environmental pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. This project Tana Delta will solve problems related to milk wastage, market instability, limited access to dairy products, income insecurity, technological gaps, and environmental impact, thereby benefiting the community.

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

Preservation of Milk Quality, the project will provide consistent cooling, preventing spoilage and bacterial growth, thereby extending the shelf life of milk products. Reliable cold storage will facilitate efficient milk collection, processing, and distribution, streamlining operations and increasing productivity. This project will foster community development by creating employment opportunities and stimulating economic growth which will contribute to poverty alleviation and food security initiatives in the project area. Embracing solar-powered cold storage represents a technological innovation within the dairy industry, hence adaptation to changing market dynamics. The project is cognizant of impact of climate change thus adopting to solar power will be mitigating approach from conventional energy sources hence environmental sustainability and ensuring continued and uninterrupted services in a poorly power grid connected area.

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

The primary beneficiaries are dairy farmers, they will benefit from improved milk storage facilities, cost savings on energy expenses, and increased productivity, facilitated by solar-powered cold rooms. The project targets the ORMA communities where dairy farming is a significant economic activity. By promoting sustainable dairy practices and fostering economic development, it aims to uplift livelihoods, create employment opportunities, and stimulate local economies. Various actors along the dairy supply chain, including milk collection centers, distributors, and retailers, benefit from improved supply chain efficiency and product quality. This will lead to reduced losses, improved profitability, and enhanced competitiveness within the dairy industry. Consumers of dairy products also benefit from the project indirectly. Solar-powered cold rooms ensure the freshness and quality of milk products, meeting consumer preferences for safe, high-quality food items.

01.05 When did you start working on your project?

2021-12-01

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

0

01.07 Among the other partners, how many are female?

4

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

Not applicable for now

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?

l) Agriculture

02.01.01 My project contributes to the No poverty goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification

Income Generation: By improving dairy farming practices and enhancing market access, enables farmers to increase their income. Higher productivity, reduced post-harvest losses, will result in higher earnings, helping lift them out of poverty. Access to Resources: Solar-powered cold storage will reduce dependency on expensive and unreliable energy sources, making it more accessible to resource-constrained farmers hence, adopt sustainable practices and improved l livelihoods. Gender Equality: women play a significant role in dairy farming activities in the project area. By empowering women through access to modern technologies and economic opportunities, contributes to gender equality which is essential component of poverty alleviation efforts. Community Development: As rural dairy communities prosper economically, they invest in education, healthcare, and other social services, contribute to poverty reduction. Improved infrastructure and economic opportunities attract investments.

02.02.01 My project contributes to the Zero hunger goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification

The project promotes food security by improving the efficiency of dairy production and distribution. Solar-powered cold rooms ensure the preservation of milk quality, reducing food losses and enhancing access to nutritious dairy products for communities, thus contributing to ending hunger.

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

6

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification

Access to safe and high-quality dairy products, facilitated by reliable cold storage, promotes good health and well-being among consumers. Additionally, improved economic conditions for dairy farmers lead to better access to healthcare services and improved health outcomes within rural communities.

02.04.01 My project contributes to the Quality education goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification

The project indirectly supports quality education by creating economic opportunities and improving living conditions in project area. Enhanced livelihoods enable families to invest in education, leading to increased school enrollment and improved educational outcomes for children.

02.05.01 My project contributes to the Gender equality goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification

The project promotes gender equality by empowering women who are often involved in dairy farming activities. Improved access to productive resources, increased incomes, and participation in decision-making processes contribute to gender empowerment and women's economic autonomy.

02.06.01 My project contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

5

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification

Although indirectly related, the project's focus on renewable energy and sustainable practices contributes to environmental conservation, including water resources. Reduced reliance on fossil fuels and decreased carbon emissions mitigate environmental degradation, supporting clean water and sanitation goals.

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 directly contributes to SDG 7 by promoting the adoption of renewable energy sources, specifically solar power, in project area. Solar-powered cold rooms reduce reliance on fossil fuels, enhance energy access, and promote sustainable energy practices.

02.08.01 My project contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

6

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification

By creating employment opportunities, stimulating economic growth, and improving productivity within the dairy sector, the project contributes to SDG 8. Enhanced dairy value chains lead to increased incomes, job creation, and overall economic development in the community

02.09.01 My project contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

7 - Strongly Agree

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification

The project fosters innovation and technological advancement by promoting the adoption of solar-powered cold storage solutions in dairy farming. This contributes to building resilient infrastructure, enhancing agricultural productivity, and driving sustainable industrialization.

02.10.01 My project contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification

The project aims to reduce inequalities by addressing disparities in access to resources and opportunities, particularly in rural areas. Improved access to energy, economic empowerment of marginalized communities, and inclusive development initiatives contribute to reducing inequalities.

02.11.01 My project contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

6

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification

Although primarily focused on rural areas, the project indirectly contributes to SDG 11 by promoting sustainable practices and reducing environmental impacts. Sustainable dairy farming practices and renewable energy adoption contribute to building resilient and inclusive communities.

02.12.01 My project contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification

Solar-powered cold rooms promote responsible consumption and production by reducing food losses, enhancing resource efficiency, and minimizing environmental impacts associated with conventional energy usage and food wastage.

02.13.01 My project contributes to the Climate action goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification

The project directly supports SDG 13 by mitigating climate change through the adoption of renewable energy technologies. Solar-powered cold rooms reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance climate resilience, and promote sustainable land use practices within the dairy sector.

02.14.01 My project contributes to the Life below water goal

5

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification

Although indirectly related, the project's focus on sustainable agriculture and renewable energy contributes to environmental conservation, including the protection of marine ecosystems indirectly affected by agricultural runoff and climate change.

02.15.01 My project contributes to the Life on land goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification

Sustainable dairy farming practices promoted by the project contribute to land conservation, biodiversity preservation, and soil health improvement. Reduced environmental degradation and deforestation associated with conventional energy usage align with SDG 15 objectives.

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

While the project's direct link to SDG 16 may be limited, promoting inclusive and sustainable development in project area can contribute to peacebuilding efforts by addressing socio-economic disparities and fostering community resilience.

02.17.01 My project contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification

The project embodies the spirit of SDG 17 by fostering partnerships and collaboration among various stakeholders, including governments, businesses, civil society organizations, and academia. By working together, these actors can leverage resources, expertise, and networks to achieve shared sustainability goals effectively.

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.

5

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

5

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

6

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

The project will utilize solar power thus reducing reliance on fossil fuels as they are widely used to preserve the milk. This will lower carbon emissions and environmental impactas it with the global push towards renewable energy and sustainability. The project area is known of unreliable or no access to the power grid, solar-powered systems offer a reliable alternative which is cost effective and allows it scalability from small to larger enterprises. The project will uphold up-to standard hygiene practices on handling the milk and chain products from boiling to freezing and storage unlike the current practices where hygiene is wanting

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

The project will face a competition from local dealers who have managed to own storage and small cooling unintended facilities while the project will be dedicated with enough storage, cooling, freezing and boiling facilities geared towards milk and its chain products. The project will be cognizant of climate change challenges thus as an adoptive measure it will utilize clean energy solar enabled technologies compared to competitors using conventional energy and fossil fuels. The project is focused on financial inclusivity, development and empowerment of women, girls, and vulnerable youths at large compared to local competitors

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

Yes. The project is majorly focused on women because they are majorly involved in this business and it’s very key to them