Kenya - Business creation project

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Komolion Eco-Kilimo envisions to be a leading center for climate-smart agriculture in Tiaty,Baringo, fostering a network of prosperous eco-farmers who are stewards of the environment, drivers of rural economic development and community impact.

01.01 Describe your project in more detail

Komolion Eco-Kilimo seeks to empower small-scale farmers in Komolion and Tiaty through clean energy technologies in irrigation,capacity building and market access to farm produce achieving climate-resilient sustainable agriculture, improved livelihoods, and a thriving community. The project is focused on delivering these value propositions. • Training and education: Provide workshops, seminars, and demonstrations on sustainable agricultural practices, including climate-resilient crops, organic methods, and value addition techniques. • Input supply: Facilitate access to high-quality seeds, fertilizers, and other agricultural inputs at competitive prices through bulk purchasing or partnerships. • Technology adoption: Train farmers on using digital tools for farming, such as weather forecasting apps, market information platforms, and mobile payment systems. • Value addition services: Offer post-harvest training and equipment rentals for processing and preserving produce, such as drying

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

Food insecurity and malnutrition are major issues in arid areas of Tiaty in Baringo County,fortunately,the area of focus Komolion is surrounded by Lake Baringo a major source of fresh water.The residents have to source their food; vegetables from Marigat which is 40kilometres away and sometimes the route is impassible due to banditry attacks, low literacy level which has led to low adoption of clean energy to pump water and irrigate their farms.Komolion Eco-Kilimo was conceptualized to put 100 acres into vegetables and cereals production using clean energy to power solar pumps and modern water application methods.The output realised all year round will be sold to ensure business viability and scale-up while availing the much need nutritionitious crops in their right quality and quantities.

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

° Improved crop production and bridging the nutrition gap ° Enhanced income levels by selling the farm outputs ° Technological transfer to the farmers I intend to work with who will scale up their production. ° Improved biodiversity; the area of focus is covered by bushes and introducion of new crops will improve biodiversity and edge out charcoal burning as an income source.

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

° 300 Women of Komolion Location ° 200 youths of Komolion Location ° 100 men of Komolion Location ° 1000 households indirect served as the market for the product

01.05 When did you start working on your project?

2024-02-28

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

1

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.)

I've a Agricultural Engineer with 3 years of experience in Arid and semi arid farmers and community mobilization.

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/elvinmangeni?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=android_app

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

The farmers i'm working with will gain a sustainable income source reducing their poverty index.

02.02.01 My project contributes to the Zero hunger goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification

The area experiences extreme drought most parts of the year and the produce realised will be consumed directly enriching the farmers diet requirement and reducing children malnutrition.

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

A well balanced diet and income source will have a great impact on target farmers health and well being.Our target market will also be provided with good vegetables and cereals reducing health complications related to poor diet and lack of food.

02.04.01 My project contributes to the Quality education goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification

Children who relied on relief food will now have more time to focus on their education as their parents will have enough food and will be able to afford to buy their kids books,pens and any fees required to keep their children in school as most spend alot of time at home due to lack of money or delayed disbursement of bursary.

02.05.01 My project contributes to the Gender equality goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification

The project is domiciled in a ni indigenous pastrol community where women are left out in the decision of livestock sale and men keep the money.Women engage in sale of households items like vegetables and cereals.Through Komolion Eco-Kilimo women income will be boosted as they will engage in direct production compared to relying on buying from markets which are 40 kilometres away

02.06.01 My project contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification

Water from Lake Baringo will be pumped and piped to the farms which are close to homes which reduces the distance covered to access it.Pumping closer to homes reduces susceptability to crocodiles and hippo attacks which roam freely around the shores of the lake. Additional treatment of the water will become easily made and this reduces contamination of the water source through laundry activities and bathing at the source.

02.07.01 My project contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification

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

The project will boost introducion of decent work through crop production as opposed to charcoal burning or climate challenged animal production and will cause a massive shift on economic growth innthe community i've focused on and model be scaled to more dry areas in Kenya.

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 seeks to introduce new technology in Irrigation which will foster innovation among women and youths by over 60% through efficient water application systems and piping methods

02.10.01 My project contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification

The project will elevate women as key production channels and economic decision makers by upto 70%,it will also boost the area standards as it has been categorised as a hard to live area with the potential to feed Kenyans and add over Kshs 5 million per 50 acres of production to the economy annually from the negative as a consumer

02.11.01 My project contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification

The project inculcates impact that will ensure that the community will reduce reliance on relief food by 40% and engage in productive activities not only for their daily consumption but future generation.

02.12.01 My project contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

4

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification

The project will have minimal losses as most of the inputs will be as compost manure reducing the use of artificial fertilisation by upto 60% during production.

02.13.01 My project contributes to the Climate action goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification

The project utilizes clean energy which help reduce damage by harmful gases and its scope will include activities such as tree planting to counter the impacts of deforestation.

02.14.01 My project contributes to the Life below water goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification

Komolion Eco-Kilimo will provide alternative source of economic activity growing of legiums such as beans reduce exploitation of immature fish which is the major source of cheap protein in the diet of most locals preserving the growth of fish to maturity.

02.15.01 My project contributes to the Life on land goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification

Through revitalized crop production it will help combat desertification as more land shall be put into use reduce charcoal burning as an economic activity and help restore degraded biodiversity.

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

Insecurity is rampant inbtge area which has been causes by drought and lack of income sources and through revitalized Agripreneurs peace will be promoted as the Venture is sustainable and scalable to different areas.More people will be included promoting as sense of a just system for the whole community of women,men and youths.

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.

2

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.

3

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

Komolion Eco-Kilimo value proposition is specific to farming community who i've understood their challenge and i'm providing a customized yet integrated clean energy ,pumping and efficient Irrigation system which is easy to use and scale-up in future.The system is undergoing alot of test of reliability in harsh climatic conditions such as extreme solar radiations and heavy winds from the water source which most product are not tested to such standards

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

Main competition are established solar and Irrigation companies,my value proposition is specific farming community who i've understood their challenge and i'm providing a customized yet integrated clean energy and efficient Irrigation system which is easy to use and scale-up in future.

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

I'm promoting female entrepreneurs by offering small loan facilities at affordable rates so that they can expand their businesses and also providing knowledge in marketing and sourcing of quality products from cheaper sources so that they can leverage on their profits.