Malawi - Startup under 3 years old

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Nuru Solutions Empowers Farmers with Innovative PayGo Solar Irrigation Embedded with insurance and real-time data for Climate Resilience

01.01 Describe your startup in more detail

Sub-Saharan African farmers experience high vulnerability to climate shocks due to limited access to irrigation infrastructure; limited access to farm diagnostics insights and insurance. Nuru Solutions provides farmers with access to affordable and sustainable clean technology solutions tailored to their needs. Our flagship offering includes PayGo solar irrigation systems equipped with precision farming capabilities, enabling efficient water usage and optimized crop yields. Additionally, we offer comprehensive training and data support to enhance farmers' agronomic practices and mitigate climate risks. Embedded insurance further safeguards farmers' investments, ensuring resilience against adverse weather conditions and crop failure. Our solution addresses the critical needs of small-scale farmers by combining technology, financial services, and data-driven insights. This integrated approach not only improves agricultural productivity and enhances climate resilience.

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

Nuru Solutions addresses the interconnected issues of climate change and food insecurity through innovative agricultural technology and financial inclusion. Climate change leads to unpredictable weather patterns, which directly impact crop yields and farmers' ability to sustain their livelihoods. This unpredictability increases the risk of food insecurity, as inconsistent harvests cannot reliably feed communities or generate sufficient income. African farmers are more vulnerable to these challenges due to a lack of irrigation infrastructure, real-time and predictive data, and agricultural insurance.

01.03 Tell us the major benefits and/or advantages of using the product/service that your startup provides (at least 3).

Solar irrigation systems mitigate the impact of climate variability by providing a reliable water source, critical for consistent crop production. By optimizing water usage, these systems help farmers maintain steady yields despite changing climate conditions. This directly addresses food insecurity by ensuring that communities have access to a stable food supply. The embedded insurance and data services offer farmers financial protection and valuable insights to make informed decisions. This financial inclusion aspect is crucial for building resilience against both climate and non-climate induced risks that affect crop productivity. When farmers are insured, they can recover more quickly from adverse weather events and risks e.g. pests and diseases, reducing the long-term impact on their productivity and income. PayGo Model: Our flexible payment model enables farmers to access cutting-edge technology without the burden of upfront costs, fostering inclusivity and affordability.

01.04 Please describe who exactly your startup’s product/service is aimed at serving. Who are the targeted beneficiaries?

The primary beneficiaries of Nuru Solutions are small-scale crop production farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa who depend on agriculture as the main source of livelihood but are highly vulnerable to climate variability and financial instability. Small-Scale Farmers: These farmers, often operating on less than two hectares of land, will benefit from improved irrigation infrastructure, crop insurance, and access to real-time farming data. This will enhance their productivity, financial stability, and climate resilience. Women Farmers: Given that women constitute the majority of the agricultural workforce in Africa, our solution prioritizes inclusivity. Women farmers will have equal access to our services, helping to bridge gender gaps in agricultural productivity and financial inclusion. Local Communities: By increasing the productivity and resilience of small-scale farmers, our solution will contribute to food security and economic development in local communities.

01.05 When was your company established?

2024-04-17

01.06 Are you already selling your product/service?

No

01.07 How many other owners are there within your startup?

1

01.08 Among the other owners, how many are female?

1

01.09 Please describe the profile of the other owners within your startup (skills, experience, etc.)

Agnes Kanjala is a social impact enthusiast with over a decade of experience leveraging agriculture and financial technologies to uplift underserved communities. As the former Director of Expansion at Pula Advisors, an innovative insurtech company, Agnes focused on launching new countries and piloting new initiatives across Africa and Asia. She previously managed the company’s large-scale countries overseeing teams of 1,000+ with a portfolio of $20mn+ in Nigeria, Kenya, Zambia, Malawi, and Zimbabwe. Before her role at Pula Advisors, Agnes contributed to new product design & innovation at Zoona, one of the pioneers of financial technology in Malawi and Zambia. She supported the set up of One Acre Fund Malawi, now serving over 100k+ farmers where she held several leadership roles. She served as a 2019 YALI Business Fellow in the US under the US Department of State - Mandela Washington Fellowship, obtained an MBA at ALU Rwanda, and holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture.

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

https://www.nuru.solutions/

01.11 Which industry best describes your project?

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

02.01.01 My startup contributes to the No poverty goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification for my startup

Economic Empowerment through Increased Agricultural Productivity: Nuru Solutions enhances agricultural productivity by providing PayGo solar irrigation systems, which ensure a reliable source of water for crops. This mitigates the adverse effects of climate variability, leading to consistent and improved crop yields. Higher productivity directly translates to increased income for small-scale farmers, helping them rise above the poverty line. Financial Inclusion through Embedded Insurance: Crop insurance provides a safety net for farmers against climate-induced crop failures. This financial protection reduces the vulnerability of farmers to economic shocks, enabling them to recover quickly from adverse events and maintain a stable income which is vital for breaking the cycle of poverty and building long-term financial stability.

02.02.01 My startup contributes to the Zero hunger goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification for my startup

Nuru Solutions contributes to SDG 2 by enhancing food security, improving nutrition, and promoting sustainable agriculture through innovative technology and services for small-scale farmers. Our PayGo solar irrigation systems ensure efficient water usage and consistent crop yields, combating food insecurity. Embedded insurance and real-time data services protect farmers from climate-induced risks, allowing stable food production. Training programs empower farmers with knowledge of sustainable practices, optimizing resources, and increasing productivity. By focusing on vulnerable populations and promoting gender equality, Nuru ensures inclusive and resilient agricultural development, improving nutrition and livelihoods in rural communities.

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

7 - Strongly Agree

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification for my startup

Nuru Solutions indirectly supports good health by reducing the vulnerability of farmers to climate shocks and improving their economic stability. Access to reliable irrigation systems and insurance coverage helps mitigate health risks associated with food insecurity and poverty.

02.04.01 My startup contributes to the Quality education goal

3

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification for my startup

Quality Education: While Nuru Solutions provides training and support programs for farmers, our activities are more aligned with agricultural skills development rather than promoting broader educational opportunities for all ages and sectors as outlined in SDG 4.

02.05.01 My startup contributes to the Gender equality goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification for my startup

Nuru Solutions promotes gender equality by designing inclusive services that cater to the specific needs of women farmers. Our embedded insurance products address the risks faced by women in agriculture, thereby promoting their financial stability and empowerment.

02.06.01 My startup contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

3

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification for my startup

Clean Water and Sanitation: While efficient water usage is promoted through our irrigation systems, Nuru Solutions' direct impact on broader water management issues and sanitation access beyond agricultural activities is limited.

02.07.01 My startup contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification for my startup

By providing PayGo solar irrigation systems, Nuru Solutions promotes access to affordable and clean energy for farming activities. This reduces reliance on fossil fuels and traditional irrigation methods, contributing to sustainable energy practices.

02.08.01 My startup contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

7 - Strongly Agree

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification for my startup

The startup supports economic growth by enhancing agricultural productivity and profitability for small-scale farmers. By providing access to technology, training, and financial services, Nuru Solutions creates opportunities for decent work and livelihood improvement in rural communities.

02.09.01 My startup contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

2

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification for my startup

Nuru Solutions fosters innovation by integrating IoT and data analytics into agricultural practices. Our approach contributes to building resilient infrastructure and promoting sustainable industrialization in the agriculture sector.

02.10.01 My startup contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

3

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification for my startup

Reduced Inequalities: Nuru Solutions aims to empower marginalized groups, including women farmers, through their services. However, our impact on reducing inequalities within and among countries is more localized to the agricultural sector and may not directly influence broader inequalities across different sectors or nations.

02.11.01 My startup contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification for my startup

Sustainable Cities and Communities: Nuru Solutions' activities are primarily rural-focused, aiming to improve resilience and productivity in farming communities. Our impact on urban or peri-urban sustainability and resilience is not a direct focus of their current operations.

02.12.01 My startup contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification for my startup

Responsible Consumption and Production: While Nuru Solutions promotes sustainable agriculture practices, our focus is more on enhancing productivity and resilience rather than addressing broader issues of consumption patterns and circular economy principles across sectors

02.13.01 My startup contributes to the Climate action goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification for my startup

Nuru Solutions directly addresses climate action by promoting climate-resilient farming practices and technologies. Our solutions help farmers adapt to climate change impacts, such as erratic rainfall patterns and droughts, thereby contributing to climate resilience in agriculture.

02.14.01 My startup contributes to the Life below water goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification for my startup

Nuru Solutions operates within the agricultural sector, specifically focused on land-based activities such as farming and irrigation. Our activities do not involve marine resources or ecosystems, and thus they do not directly contribute to sustainable development concerning oceans, seas, or marine life.

02.15.01 My startup contributes to the Life on land goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification for my startup

While Nuru Solutions promotes sustainable land use through agricultural practices, our initiatives do not directly involve forest management, desertification combat, or biodiversity conservation efforts beyond agricultural lands.

02.16.01 My startup contributes to the Peace Justice and Strong Institutions goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.16.02 Peace Justice and Strong Institutions- Justification for my startup

Nuru Solutions' primary focus is on agricultural technology and financial inclusion for small-scale farmers. While indirectly contributing to stability and economic resilience in rural communities, our core activities do not directly address issues related to peace, justice, or institutional development at various levels.

02.17.01 My startup contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification for my startup

Nuru Solutions collaborates with various stakeholders including farmers, financial institutions, and development organizations to achieve its mission. These partnerships are essential for scaling impact and achieving sustainable development goals collaboratively.

06.01 There are a large number of customers who already use a product/service very similar to the product/service we envision creating.

5

06.02 The product/service represents an entirely new type of product/service.

1 - Strongly Disagree

06.03 The product/service could be described as a new technology.

3

06.04 The product/service is an improvement on an existing product or service.

7 - Strongly Agree

06.05 The product/service could be described as an extension of a range of products or services.

7 - Strongly Agree

06.06 The product/service responds to a demand or need that has not been satisfied by other products/services.

7 - Strongly Agree

06.07 The product/service is a new version of an old product/service.

5

06.08 Justification for my startup

Integrated Approach: Unlike others, Nuru Solutions provides an integrated solution that combines PayGo solar irrigation systems with embedded insurance and real-time data services. This holistic approach addresses multiple challenges faced by farmers, including water scarcity, financial risk, and lack of actionable data. Embedded Insurance: Our unique inclusion of embedded insurance within the irrigation systems offers a crucial safety net for farmers, protecting them against climate-induced crop failures. This aspect of our solution is not commonly provided by other organizations.

06.09 Competitive Analysis

Our main competitors are; 1. SunCulture: A leading provider of solar-powered irrigation solutions in Africa. 2. Futurepump: Offers solar irrigation pumps targeting smallholder farmers. 3. Husk Power Systems: Provides renewable energy solutions, including solar irrigation, to rural communities in emerging markets. The following are the key factors that differentiate us; Comprehensive Solutions: Nuru Solutions offers an integrated platform that combines solar irrigation, precision farming, training, and insurance, providing a one-stop solution to farmers' needs. Flexibility: Our PayGo model and flexible payment options make our solutions accessible to smallholder farmers, addressing affordability barriers. Data-driven Insights: We prioritize data analytics and insights, empowering farmers with actionable information to optimize their farming practices and maximize yields. Target Market; We target small scale farmers with 2-6 acres of land while our competitor's target <2 acres

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

Yes, part-time, I consult for venture builders and support programs where I support entrepreneurs with venture support, coaching, mentorship, and advise. So far, I have consulted for the US Embassy AWE program, Delta-40, IFC