Malawi - Startup under 3 years old

Describe your project or startup in a few words

The core centre of my project is specifically dealing with Agribusiness systems. And dwells much in horticultural systems that tallies with Zero hunger. All this done through Eco-farming. Chikoya Farm Solutions intends to be harvesting threefold per year.

01.01 Describe your startup in more detail

Chikoya Farm Solutions is agribusiness entity, under the ownership of Mr. Anderson Chikoya as managing director. This business started its operations on 10th July 2023 and registered with the Malawi government on 27th February 2024. Chikoya Farm Solutions secured an office at Synergy Complex in area 12, plot no: 526, songwe street in Lilongwe the Malawi's capital city. This business is fully registered with the Malawi government through registra general in accordance with the Act No.12 of 2012 of Malawi's constitution. And also certified by The Ministry of Trade & Industry and other authorities, boards, and councils in Malawi for legal trading. Since its establishment, Chikoya Farm Solutions has been delivering its products and rendering services in most regions of Malawi. The core centre of Chikoya Farm Solutions is normally based on Agribusiness systems, & dwells much in horticultural system in order to support zero hunger campaign. Our intention is to be harvesting threefold yearly.

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

Following are the main focus; (1). Life on land. This business promotes Eco-farming. (2). Zero hunger. This business dwells much in irrigation systems that tallies with SDG number 2, Zero hunger, all this done through Eco-farming. Chikoya Farm Solutions intends to be harvesting threefold per year, in order to maximise food security of the country we're based in, and world at large. (3). This business encourages proper waste disposal.

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

Following are the main advantages. (1). Life on land. Since this business promotes Eco-farming.here are some advantages of practising Eco-farming; Environmental friendly, Promotes sustainable development, Healthy and tasty food, and Inexpensive process. (2). Zero hunger. This business dwells much in irrigation systems that tallies with SDG number 2, Zero hunger, all this done through Eco-farming. Chikoya Farm Solutions intends to be harvesting threefold per year, in order to maximise food security of the country we're based in, and world at large. (3). Waste Disposal. This business encourages proper waste disposal. For instance, we use solid and liquid wastes to make organic fertilizer (Chikoya Organic Fertilizer). By doing this job creation is done.

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

CUSTOMER BASE Our diverse customer base includes; supermarkets, urban and rural customers/ clients i.e youths groups, women groups, cooperations, clubs, associations, and all marginalised farmers or those who have little access to information and extension services.

01.05 When was your company established?

2023-07-10

01.06 Are you already selling your product/service?

Yes

01.07 How many other owners are there within your startup?

0

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.)

These Include: Good communication skills, analytical skills, innovative, ability to work odd hours, result oriented, team work spirit, effective handling of work pressure, eagerness to face new challenges and willingness to travel with work.

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

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083322909437

01.11 Which industry best describes your project?

l) Farming

02.01.01 My startup contributes to the No poverty goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification for my startup

We promote to the eradication of extreme poverty by teaching people to be self-reliant through our diverse range of programs we do. This includes; Empowering youths groups, women groups, cooperations, clubs, associations, and all marginalised farmers or those who have little access to information and extension services.

02.02.01 My startup contributes to the Zero hunger goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification for my startup

We're more focused on irrigation systems that tally with Zero hunger goal. For our intention is to be harvesting threefold per year, in order to maximise food security of the country we're based in and across the world. While using environmental friendly agricultural practices.

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

During our farming, we make sure to produce nutritious foods through our Eco-farming practices.

02.04.01 My startup contributes to the Quality education goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification for my startup

This business conducts educational trainings. Extension service (advisory): This is a part time service whereby we provide new farming methods, by organising farming and development programmes aimed at reaching marginalised farmers or those who have little access to information and extension services.

02.05.01 My startup contributes to the Gender equality goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification for my startup

Please understand that this business gives opportunity equally to both males and females during employment and other business opportunities, since Chikoya Farm Solutions is Equal Opportunity Employer, Trainer, Educator that is committed to combat gender inequality through different programs we do.

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

This business promotes clean water and sanitation programs hold by the Lilongwe Water Board or related institutions.

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

This business promotes other businesses that deals with clean energy. Such as gas cooking, brequets, and other clean energy systems.

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

This business promotes descent work goal by providing Morden irrigation equipments to its workers. By doing so time and energy is used efficiently that contribute to economic growth of the country and world at large.

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

Innovation is one among our Cole values. Chikoya Farm Solutions embraced innovation by start using drip irrigation system.

02.10.01 My startup contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification for my startup

Please understand that this business gives opportunity equally to both males and females during employment and other business opportunities, since Chikoya Farm Solutions is Equal Opportunity Employer, Trainer, Educator that is committed to combat gender inequality through different programs we do.

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

Briefly, Chikoya Farm Solutions supports Sustainable cities and communities goal by participating in such programs.

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

Responsible consumption and production is one among other programs we do promote at Chikoya Farm Solutions.

02.13.01 My startup contributes to the Climate action goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification for my startup

This business never practices air polluting activities such as improper burning of wastes.

02.14.01 My startup contributes to the Life below water goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification for my startup

This business never uses water polluting activities such as improper waste disposal.

02.15.01 My startup contributes to the Life on land goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification for my startup

Chikoya Farm Solutions is also much focused on SDG number 15, LIFE ON LAND (of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss). At Chikoya Farm Solutions we do Eco-farming Wich makes us to be unique from our competitors who are still using non environmental friendly practices in farming.

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

7 - Strongly Agree

02.16.02 Peace Justice and Strong Institutions- Justification for my startup

We also maintain peace and justice through an employment, since Chikoya Farm Solutions an Equal Opportunity Employer and committed to combat gender inequality through different programs we do.

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

We actively engage in various collaborations and networks, including participation in training programs under the training institutes such as; Small and Medium Enterprises Development Institute - SMEDI, and the Malawi Bureau of Standards partnership just to mention a few.

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

4

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

7 - Strongly Agree

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

7 - Strongly Agree

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

Since its establishment, Chikoya Farm Solutions has been delivering its products and rendering services in most regions of Malawi. The core centre of Chikoya Farm Solutions is normally based on Agribusiness. And dwells much in irrigation systems that tallies with SDG number 2, Zero hunger. Chikoya Farm Solutions intends to be harvesting threefold per year, in order to maximise food security of the country we're based in, neighbouring countries, and world at large. But Chikoya Farm Solutions is not limited to farming only. It encompasses a broader spectrum through the agribusiness system which includes input supplies, value-addition, marketing, microfinance, and agricultural extension (Advisory services). Chikoya Farm Solutions is also much focused on SDG number 15, LIFE ON LAND (of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss). At Chikoya Farm Solutions we do Eco-farming Wich makes us to b

06.09 Competitive Analysis

Chikoya Farm Solutions is not as weak as other business are. This business was solely been operated by Mr. Anderson Chikoya as primary farmer, who was being helped by his two family members. After a year Anderson managed to employ four casual labourers to be assisting the field work. This business has survived perilous times such as COVID 19 pandemic period, when world's economy paralyzed. But Chikoya Farm Solutions was been anchored by business management skills under the ownership and supervision of Mr. Anderson Chikoya. This speaks a lot that the business is growing internally. Establishing branches in other cities signifies external growth of the business. After 3 to 4 years, Chikoya Farm Solutions is intending of having permanent branches within Malawi. But currently, it operates in three major cities of Malawi namely; Lilongwe, Mzumzu, and Blantyre. Chikoya Farm Solutions secured an office at Synergy Complex where it is intending to have the head office there by 1st June, 2024.

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

I am an Equal Opportunity Employer and committed to gender equality. We do also have community women empowerment programs.