Kenya - Business creation project

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Integration of solar energy in efficient and sustainable system of converting organic waste into high-quality nutrients for animal feeds and the reduction of environmental impact associated with traditional methods of waste disposal and feeds productions

01.01 Describe your project in more detail

This business project involves the incorporating solar powered drying system in efficient and sustainable system of converting organic waste i.e vegetables and fruits to high quality protein feeds. Black soldier-fly larvae is a venture that is really gaining momentum in Kenya and ways of preserving the larvae without compromising their protein value has proven to be a challenge and that is where Gillaje farm steps in with solution. So gillaje farm will buy, dry and package for selling or offer drying services for customers at a cost. We will be selling the equipment solar powered dryer design and fabricated by our jua kali industry using recycled materials. The design will be using our blue print. From local producers and adding with our own production of larvae.

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

Way of preserving and retaining essential nutrition value of black soldier-fly larvae. This system utilise the use of solar drying mechanism that we have come up with the idea to develop it. This indirect drying system preserves nutrients and promotes large scale production of black soldier-fly larvae. Which in turn will offer an alternative feed solution to poultry farming and pigs.

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

1. Energy efficiency. Solar dryer uses sunlight energy which is more reliable in this tropical environment. 2. Indirect drying using solar powered dryer ensures preservation of essential nutrition value in larvae. 3.Sustainable organic waste management; sustainable solutions in managing organic waste reducing the need of incineration and landfills. 4. High quality animal feeds, Black soldier-fly larvae provide high quality protein feeds for poultry,pigs providing sustainable feeds reducing reliance on industrial processed feeds. 5. Reduces over reliance of main power grid for the source of electricity.

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

1.Famers who produces soldier-fly larvae larvae, I will be offering drying and packaging service for them at a cost using my solar powered dryer. Since electricity from main power grid is not reliable. 2. Local market that deals with organic waste I.e vegetables spoilt fruits we will collect them helping to keeping local community from foul smell from rotting organic waste. 3. The community will benefit from learning an alternative approach of feeding poultry birds. Since its a new concept and many poultry farmers around and pig farmers will be demanding for cheaper high protein feeds that is dried so they can buy in bulk and store. 4.Collaborating with local institutions like hotels and schools that will give us opportunity to handle for them organic waste.

01.05 When did you start working on your project?

2023-03-01

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.)

Sharon Achieng. She has been useful be in charge of handling raw soldier-fly larvae ensuring proper drying and packing for selling. She develop skills out of interest in agribusiness venture and attending many exhibitions show relating to BSFL production. Her interest has been helpful in unveiling the dry equipment. Ibrahim Ouma; He is the technical man ensuring day to day running of the system he has skills relating to poultry production since he has a long track record on poultry farming and agribusiness in general.

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?

a) Energy (equipment, services, sustainable energy and fuel)

02.01.01 My project contributes to the No poverty goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification

1. The technical team that are mandated to design the solar powered dryer using our blue print details will be paid hence creating employment. 2. We will be offering employment and cheaper option and high quality protein for the women and youth in the community those who chose this line of interest.

02.02.01 My project contributes to the Zero hunger goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification

Solar power dryer will be sustainable system of preserving black soldier-fly larvae after harvesting, since it preserves all the nutrients in soldier-fly larvae wich can be sold or used to feed poultry birds for profit or consumption. Since its cheaper to produce black soldier-fly larvae. Production is cheaper when resources need is affordable in this case is black soldier-fly dried and packed will encourage agribusiness.

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

My project system encourages production and consumption local sourced food, by feeding on secondary product of black soldier-fly larvae produced and processed locally promoting good health.

02.04.01 My project contributes to the Quality education goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification

Education involves learning or obtaining new skills and black soldier-fly larvae production and drying using solar powered dryer will also be important skill set to obtain. Since it helps in sustaining life.

02.05.01 My project contributes to the Gender equality goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification

My business project acknowledges the importance of gender balance that why we have a position in the project for a lady and looking forward to creat even more as the business project grows.

02.06.01 My project contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification

By collecting organic waste around it prevent them from being washed into our water bodies hence promoting cleaning our water bodies.

02.07.01 My project contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification

Incorporating solar powered dryers to dry and preserve black soldier-fly larvae. Is affordable and greener energy solution,help in protecting the climate and reducing carbon footprint of my project. And with support we will go full green energy.

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

Majorly the cost of feeds is what hinders majority from venturing in poultry farming industry. And availability of cheaper High quality protein feeds made from solar powered dryer will help preserve ready black soldier-fly larvae and ensuring steady feeds supply for poultry,pigs and fish farmers hence creating employment to the locals and in turn elevating the 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

Gillaje farm is innovative by designing solar powered dryer that will dry black soldier-fly larvae without compromising protein component of the larvae. preventing over reliance of industrial processed feeds to feed their poultry by producing high quality protein from black soldier-fly larvae and dry using solar powered dryer.

02.10.01 My project contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

4

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification

Solar powered dryer contributes to reduction of inequality goal in the community by providing efficient, sustainable, cost effective energy to use by many since is renewable.

02.11.01 My project contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification

Solar power dryer uses solar energy wich does not cause effect on environment as compared other alternatives like charcoal and fossil fuel burning pollutes the environment in our cities.

02.12.01 My project contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification

Reduces carbon emissions and energy consumption. Solar drying is renewable and sustainable way that doesn't depend on fossil fuel. This reduces carbon footprint hence creating responsible consumption and production using renewable energy.

02.13.01 My project contributes to the Climate action goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification

Trying to combat adverse effects of ever changing climate. Gillaje farm cares for environment by reducing our carbon footprint in the glob by integrating solar powered dryer which will be the main form of preserving black soldier-fly larvae.

02.14.01 My project contributes to the Life below water goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification

Black soldier-fly larvae can be used to feed both wild and caged aquatic life and help in sustaing the population of wild aquatic animals like fishes.

02.15.01 My project contributes to the Life on land goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification

-Solar drying provides sustainable, cost effective method of preserving animal feeds hence improving food security. -Degraded lands can be revitalised by waste from BSFL which is a form of compost manure.

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

My project promote equality among the people in the community and giving emphasis on empowerment of less fortunate in the community eg women and disable. By emphasising in peace and justice as one of our majore values.

02.17.01 My project contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification

We need partnership to learn from each other and embrace a specific goal, my project promote collaboration with relevant partners.

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.

6

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

4

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

1 - Strongly Disagree

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.

1 - Strongly Disagree

05.08 Justification

05.01. The product we envision to create has large number of customers who will love to explore our products and services. 05.02. Dispite of soldier-fly production growing in popularity in Kenya, our solar powered dryer is a unique service that would be sorted for preserving the larvae without compromising their protein value. 05.03. I can't say is a new or old technology but what we know it is unique service and is needed now in our current world. 05.04. The product and service we envision to creat is not improvement of any prior existing work. 05.05. Gillaje farm can be described as a farm that offer extension product and services. 05.06. Product and services we will be offering will fill a niche in the market of poultry industry and fish farming. 05.07. The product and service we envision to create is unique to itself.

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

My major competitors are fellow soldier-fly larvae producurs who sells in the market without drying the larvae which doesn't promote large scale production due to limited life cycle of black soldier-fly We are promoting the use of solar powered dryer design by Gillaj farm which is efficient,cost effective and reliable.

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

My major actions, I do encourage my female peers to embrace entrepreneurial mind and adopt modern transformative ways of doing business. Mostly when we meet in group discussions I make female gender to learn first I convince the mind for them to embrace entrepreneurial mindset. Due to scarcity of resources am now using words of mouth without major impact in communiy.