Malawi - Startup under 3 years old

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Agrimec boosts farmer productivity by locally producing affordable, advanced agricultural machinery using locally available resources. This improves accessibility, reduces poverty and hunger, and helps farmers adapt to climate change.

01.01 Describe your startup in more detail

Our venture helps smallholder farmers boost productivity, reduce post-harvest losses, and adapt to climate change. We offer digital grain threshers and solar-powered water pumps with pay-as-you-go options. Our locally made digital grain threshers improve productivity by up to 50% and cut post-harvest losses to under 2%, far below the 40% average. This helps farmers increase their output and become more resilient to climate change. Our solar-powered water pumps, with pay-as-you-go systems, provide affordable irrigation. Farmers can irrigate their crops without needing to pay upfront, allowing them to increase yields without upfront fees. We are dedicated to providing solutions that enhance farmers' livelihoods, reduce their environmental impact, and strengthen their resilience to climate challenges.

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

The problem that our venture is solving is the underproduction of food in Africa due to the lack of mechanization technologies, acute post-harvest losses, and the devastating impacts of climate change on farmers. These issues lead to reduced production output, making It is difficult for farmers to sustain their livelihoods and meet the food demands of their communities. Despite efforts to improve farming practices and increase access to agricultural technologies, the problem still persists in many African countries. Farmers continue to face challenges in increasing their productivity and profitability, and are at risk of losing their crops due to poor handling methods and the impacts of climate change

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

1. Increased Productivity: Our digital grain threshers can boost farmers' productivity by up to 50%. They significantly reduce post-harvest losses to under 2%, compared to the industry average of 40%, helping farmers get more from their harvests. Affordable Irrigation: Our solar-powered water pumps come with a pay-as-you-go system, allowing farmers to access essential irrigation without upfront costs. This makes it possible for farmers to increase their crop yields even if they lack immediate funds. Climate Resilience: By reducing post-harvest losses and providing reliable irrigation, our products help farmers become more resilient to the impacts of climate change. This ensures they can maintain and improve their livelihoods despite environmental challenges.

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

Our primary focus are smallholder farmers, cooperatives, and organizations that work with smallholder farmers because they represent the majority of farmers in Malawi and often face significant challenges in accessing the tools and resources needed to improve their farming practices. Smallholder farmers are an essential component of the agriculture sector, and they play a vital role in ensuring food security and sustainable development in their communities. However, they often lack the resources and support needed to improve their productivity and profitability. Cooperatives and organizations that work with smallholder farmers also play a critical role in supporting and empowering these farmers. They provide access to markets, financing, and training, which are essential for the development of sustainable and profitable farming practices.

01.05 When was your company established?

2021-11-13

01.06 Are you already selling your product/service?

Yes

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.)

Chimwemwe Zandihle Lungu is a proactive and results-oriented professional with over 9 years of experience in coordinating sustainable livelihood projects. He excels in collaborating with NGOs, governments, and private stakeholders to uplift rural communities. His expertise spans food, nutrition, health security, humanitarian response, disaster risk reduction, gender transformative approaches, micro-financing, entrepreneurship, climate action, and agribusiness. His technical skills include proficiency in Microsoft Office, SPSS, ODK, and data management. He has strong analytical, strategic thinking, and communication skills. Chimwemwe has significant experience in monitoring and evaluation, micro-financing, and inclusive partnership building. He has successfully led teams, managed large budgets, and developed grant-winning proposals. Chimwemwe holds a BSc in Agriculture Extension and Rural Development from the University of Malawi and has

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

http://www.agrimecltd.com

01.11 Which industry best describes your project?

b) Materials (agriculture, fishing, chemical products, construction materials, containers and packaging, metals and mining, paper and forest products)

02.01.01 My startup contributes to the No poverty goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification for my startup

Our start-up is dedicated to helping farmers increase their productivity and yields, boosting their revenue by up to 50% through improved profitability. By providing access to advanced farming machines, we enable farmers to rent out this equipment, creating an additional income stream. Our efforts have led to job creation both within our start-up and in rural communities, employing youths as machine operators. This not only provides them with stable employment but also reduces the need to migrate to cities in search of work. By enhancing agricultural productivity and generating new job opportunities, our start-up directly contributes to the No Poverty goal, fostering economic stability and growth in rural areas.

02.02.01 My startup contributes to the Zero hunger goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification for my startup

Our start-up is making significant strides towards achieving Zero Hunger by helping farmers reduce post-harvest losses to less than 2%, compared to the industry average of 40%. This means farmers have more food to feed their families and communities. Additionally, our irrigation technologies enable farmers to grow crops twice a year, significantly increasing their yields. By boosting farm productivity and reducing losses, we are ensuring a more reliable food supply, combating hunger, and mitigating the impacts of climate change directly contributing to food security and the resilience of agricultural communities.

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

5

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

Our start-up promotes good health and well-being by providing machines that significantly reduce farmers' exposure to dust, lowering their risk of respiratory diseases like tuberculosis. By automating labor-intensive tasks, these machines also help prevent macular pains and injuries associated with hard physical labor. As a result, farmers can work more safely and comfortably, leading to better overall health and well-being. Through these improvements, we are directly contributing to healthier lives for farmers and their families.

02.04.01 My startup contributes to the Quality education goal

5

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification for my startup

02.05.01 My startup contributes to the Gender equality goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification for my startup

Our start-up is empowering women farmers by providing machines that drastically reduce the time spent on labor-intensive tasks. For example, women used to spend days threshing an acre of soybeans, but with our machines, they can do it in just two hours. This efficiency allows women to focus on other economic activities, making them more self-reliant and financially independent. By freeing up their time and reducing their physical burden, we are improving their livelihoods and economic well-being, directly contributing to gender equality and empowering women in agriculture.

02.06.01 My startup contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification for my startup

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

Our startup promotes affordable and clean energy by providing solar-powered water pumps to smallholder farmers. These pumps offer a sustainable alternative to traditional, often expensive, and environmentally harmful energy sources. By using solar energy, farmers can access reliable irrigation without the high costs associated with fuel-based systems, making clean energy solutions accessible even to those with limited financial resources.

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

Our startup contributes significantly to decent work and economic growth by empowering smallholder farmers in Africa. Through our innovative solutions like digitalized grain threshers and solar-powered water pumps, we enable farmers to increase productivity and reduce post-harvest losses. This directly translates into improved income and livelihoods for farmers, fostering economic growth at the grassroots level. By introducing pay-as-you-go models for our products, we ensure accessibility even for those with limited financial resources, promoting inclusive economic development. Moreover, our focus on sustainable practices and resilience to climate change enhances long-term economic stability in agricultural communities. Overall, our startup plays a pivotal role in creating dignified employment opportunities, boosting local economies, and advancing sustainable development goals related to decent work and economic growth in Africa.

02.09.01 My startup contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

7 - Strongly Agree

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification for my startup

Our startup addresses critical gaps in agricultural innovation and infrastructure in Africa. By providing digitalized grain threshers and solar-powered water pumps with pay-as-you-go systems, we directly tackle challenges such as low productivity, high post-harvest losses, and limited access to irrigation. These innovations are crucial as they enhance agricultural efficiency, reduce environmental impact, and strengthen farmers' resilience to climate change. By bridging these gaps, our startup contributes to sustainable agricultural development, food security, and economic empowerment for smallholder farmers, driving positive socio-economic impact across rural communities.

02.10.01 My startup contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification for my startup

Our startup reduces inequalities by providing smallholder farmers with access to affordable, advanced agricultural tools. We offer digital grain threshers and solar-powered water pumps with pay-as-you-go options, making it possible for farmers with limited resources to increase their productivity and income. This access helps level the playing field between small-scale and larger commercial farmers, promoting more equitable economic opportunities. By significantly cutting post-harvest losses and boosting crop yields, our solutions improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers, lifting them out of poverty and reducing economic disparities. Our focus on sustainable practices and climate resilience ensures that these farmers can withstand environmental challenges, further enhancing their economic stability. Additionally, we create local job opportunities through the deployment and maintenance of our technologies, stimulating rural economies and fostering community growth.

02.11.01 My startup contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification for my startup

02.12.01 My startup contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification for my startup

02.13.01 My startup contributes to the Climate action goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification for my startup

Our startup contributes to climate action by introducing sustainable agricultural technologies to smallholder farmers. We provide solar-powered water pumps that reduce reliance on fossil fuels, cutting carbon emissions and promoting clean energy adoption in farming practices. This shift to renewable energy helps mitigate climate change impacts by lowering the agricultural sector's carbon footprint. Additionally, our digital grain threshers minimize post-harvest losses, ensuring efficient use of resources like water and energy. By improving productivity and reducing waste, we support sustainable farming practices that conserve natural resources and reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with agricultural activities. our focus on enhancing farmers' resilience to climate change through advanced technologies helps them adapt to unpredictable weather patterns and environmental stresses. This resilience not only secures livelihoods but also contributes to global food security

02.14.01 My startup contributes to the Life below water goal

4

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification for my startup

02.15.01 My startup contributes to the Life on land goal

2

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification for my startup

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

2

02.16.02 Peace Justice and Strong Institutions- Justification for my startup

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

Our startup fosters partnerships for the goal by collaborating with various stakeholders to empower smallholder farmers. We work with local governments, NGOs, and agricultural organizations to distribute our digital grain threshers and solar-powered water pumps, ensuring broad reach and impact. These partnerships help us leverage local knowledge, infrastructure, and networks to effectively implement our solutions. We also engage with financial institutions to provide flexible pay-as-you-go models, making our technologies accessible to farmers with limited financial resources. By collaborating with these partners, we create a supportive ecosystem that promotes the adoption of advanced agricultural tools.

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

6

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

4

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

4

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.

7 - Strongly Agree

06.08 Justification for my startup

Our product/service addresses a significant need within the market by providing an improvement on existing solutions. While there are already numerous customers using similar products/services, our offering introduces a new technology that enhances functionality and accessibility. This product/service can be seen as an extension of existing ranges but with key improvements that respond to unmet demands. Essentially, it is a new version of an old product/service, refined and upgraded to better meet the needs of our target customers.

06.09 Competitive Analysis

Our main competitors are imported products, which are often too expensive for smallholder farmers and come with high maintenance costs. These products are also less accessible to the local market. What sets us apart is that our products are durable, made from locally available resources, and made by local personnel, making them both affordable and accessible. our farmer-centric business model allows farmers to access our products without upfront fees, ensuring that even those with limited financial resources can benefit from our solutions.

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

Yes, I am actively initiating actions within my community to promote the role of female entrepreneurs. Through our startup, we introduce machinery that significantly reduces the manual labor required in farming, allowing women to focus on other economic activities. We organize workshops and training sessions to enhance their skills in entrepreneurship, leadership, and financial literacy. Our initiatives also include creating support networks and providing access to microfinance options, enabling women to start and grow their own businesses. By advocating for gender equality and empowering women with the tools and knowledge they need, we aim to foster a community where female entrepreneurs can thrive and contribute to the local economy.