Malawi - Startup under 3 years old

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Numerous small holder farmers live below the poverty line due to a lack in resources such as fertiliser and farming Equipment. Providing access to such resources would provide farmers with the means to scale up as well as investors good ROI.

01.01 Describe your startup in more detail

Shady Acres is an outdoor solutions firm that provides outdoor solutions like summer huts, pergolas and a diverse array of bespoke outdoor wood furniture. Because most of Shady Acres products are made of timber, partners and well wishers are needed to help in the fight against deforestation. With access to more clientele and Infrustructure, tree planting programs in the public and private sectors would help against the negative environmental factors we face in Malawi now. By Also diversifying into farm capital management, Shady Acres aims to provide farmer with the necessary resources to increase the yields and quality of cash crops such as soy beans and tobacco. Giving small holder farmers based in rural areas access to international markets would better their lives and the consequencially develop the community. Shady Acres Capitol aims to provide a platform for individuals and groups to invest in farming and get good returns on their investment.

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

The issues Shady Acrres aims at solving are deforestation, providing local small holder farmers with the financing and Infrustructmure to scale up their output from the field as well as give them access to international markets. Deforestation has been one of the major issues being tackled by the Ministry of forestry as well as organisations like MWASIP (Malawi Watershed Services Improvement Project) who provide Performance based grants to communities and local tree planters. My aim is to offer bespoke outdoor solutions like summer huts and pergolas, products of which are made of tree that have been cut down and use the proceeds from clientele to conduct tree planting activities. Diversifying into farm capital management management services would give local/rural based farmer with table employment opportunities to make a living and allow them to afford resources like fertiliser. Giving people a platform to invest in farming without them putting their time and energy while getting ROI

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

Combating deforestation betters the environment, cleaning the air and health of natural growing trees. It also provides the next generation with a beautiful scenery and more timber to be used while alternative solutions are being developed. By providing individuals and groups a platform to invest their money in large scale farming, Shady Acres offers farm management services that handle the whole growing process of cash crops like the Soy beans and Tobacco from farm to market without the any clients hassle hassle of experiencing liabilities from supervision, environmental factors like draught whom Shady Acres will habe train professionals to observe as well as identifying markets for their cash crops. Providing local farmers with financing and access to other resources will essentially increase their yields. Giving the local farmer access to international and otber local markets will help them benefit more from their produce financially as well as better the GDP of Malawi.

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

My target beneficiaries are the following: 1. individuals and Cooperatives - those interested in investing in smart farming 2. Microfinance firms and Saccos - micro finances and groups like saccos will be able to benefit from the opportunity to habe equity in smart farms and Cooperatives . 3. Insurance firms - insurance companies like old mutual would benefit from having their clients open investment packages with us as partners to generate wealth for their clientele, furthering their wealth generating services especially with youths who want to farm. 4. Local/rural and small holder farmers 5. Banks - Banks will get new business from our clientelle through smart farming and transactions from international markets. as well as clients opening fixed deposits with them etc. 6. The Environment - giving back to the environment improves the integrity of the wildlife ecosystem as a whole. 7. Malawi Revenue Authority - Collections from the revenue Shady Acres generates from its business.

01.05 When was your company established?

2023-05-06

01.06 Are you already selling your product/service?

Yes

01.07 How many other owners are there within your startup?

2

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.)

Isaiah Mkandawire has a strong background in finance and management.Isaiah Mkandawire completed their Master of Science in Professional Accountancy from the University of London from 2018 to 2020. Prior to that, they attended the Malawi College Of Accountancy from 2014 to 2016, where they obtained their ACCA Professional Level degree in Accounting and Finance. Isaiah also pursued the ACCA Professional Level (Chartered Accountant) program from ACCA from 2009 to 2015. In 2002 to 2004, they attended the Malawi College Of Accountancy and obtained a degree in ACCA in Accounting and Finance. He has been integral to the research and development of shady acres capitol products specifically in the farm capital management portfolio I'd like to imply that the carpenters, farmers and agricultural specialists that I have done work with or assisted me with my research as direct beneficiaries of the start up. As we work together they will be part of the body of the organisation.

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/ShadyAcresMw?mibextid=ZbWKwL

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

5

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification for my startup

Farmers or low income homes in rural areas will be provided with the training and resources to start farms that they will directly benefit from. Training in agricultural practices, financial literacy as well as directly benefiting from sales from their produce aids in the betterment of their livelihoods. Wealth generation in our farm capital management scheme will allow investors or clients to scale up every years, increasing the output, yield and employment in the agricultural sector .

02.02.01 My startup contributes to the Zero hunger goal

6

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification for my startup

Give farmers access to farming resources allows them to farm their own food. the employment in the farm capital management scheme allows them to be able to buy necessities such as maize for pap, Soya for porridge.Espeicially in the last and first quarter of every year when commodity prices rise.

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

4

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

02.04.01 My startup contributes to the Quality education goal

5

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification for my startup

Training in agricultural science and financial literacy will give farmers and our clients the opportunity to practise fiscal discipline as well as practise sustainable farming on their land or plots a warded to them by investors as tenants.

02.05.01 My startup contributes to the Gender equality goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification for my startup

Our selection of the farmers that we work with will not be limited by tribe or gender. All those capable and selected will have the opportunity to invest with Shady Acres, farm under shady acres as well as benefit from its programs.

02.06.01 My startup contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

4

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification for my startup

fighting deforestation helps fight against flooding and droughts. allowing the earth to hold water for the trees and the cycle of precipitation.

02.07.01 My startup contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

6

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification for my startup

by partnering with organisations like winning Malawi, an organisation that aims at providing sustainable solar energy solutions in schools and communities, Shady Acres aims at providing the same sustainable energy solutions to partners, farmers and clients.

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

By providing food and resources to its farmers and employees Shady Acres outdoor solutions will allow farmers the availability of food stuff during farming seasons and through Aid off season when food like corn is scarce. Farmers will benefit directly from their produce being sold to international markets where they will get better prices which will consequencially allow them to afford better education. Fair and Equal pay in Shady Estates will be gender inclusive.

02.09.01 My startup contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

6

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification for my startup

With access to funding Shady Acres will be able to supply farmers with modern equipment that will scale up their productivity. e.g. mechanical ploughs instead of ox-pulled ploughs that take more time and maintenance to use in the field. Mechanical equipment as well as other irritation solutions will allow crops to grow healthy e.g. Solar pumps.

02.10.01 My startup contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

6

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification for my startup

My start aims to work with people from all walks of life with no preference towards gender, tribe, political affiliation etc. The aim to create wealth And jobs is for the betterment of the nation's economy and wellbeing of those involved.

02.11.01 My startup contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

5

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification for my startup

With creation of employment and wealth, communities will be able to invest back into their communities. Slowly down the crime rates in the communities involved as well as inducing a creativity mindset to diversify the activities the youth and adults may take part in. Conducting training or subsidising the communities on environmental issues will promote growth in the environmental affairs of the communities involved and inspire the youth to take part.

02.12.01 My startup contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

6

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification for my startup

Through research and development I have I identified strategies such as tree planting as one of the best initiatives in the fight against deforestation. The timber purchased in the market is ofcourse taken from trees that have been cut down. Demand for timber is high but initiatives towards replenishing forestry does not match how many trees are being cut down daily. Tree planting will assist in this light. Providing farmers with the tools and resources they need to farm allows for economical growth and gentrification of their surrounding areas, these resources will help fight hunger, illiteracy as well as boost the economy by increasing the scale of produce from any farmers involved land.

02.13.01 My startup contributes to the Climate action goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification for my startup

The tree planting initiative will allow fkr more trees to be able to give off oxygen that we need to breathe. Trees also reduce the amount of rain water runoff, which reduces erosion of the soil and pollution in our water bodies and may reduce the effects of flooding which the Southern region of Malawi experienced for the last year. Lives have been lost. Many species of wildlife depend on trees in their respective habitats.Trees essentially provide food, protection, and homes for many birds and mammals.

02.14.01 My startup contributes to the Life below water goal

3

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification for my startup

02.15.01 My startup contributes to the Life on land goal

6

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification for my startup

As stated, Trees give off oxygen, food, protection, and homes for many birds and mammals. They also prevent erosion, flooding and promote life.

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

5

02.16.02 Peace Justice and Strong Institutions- Justification for my startup

The institutions set up to help farmers with the resources to conduct sustainable farming in Mzimba North have not had a strong impact in my community. My start up aims to include all people, no matter their social standing in the community, access the resources to conduct sustainable farming. Where one has no land but is willing to join the programs offered, institutions and partnerships will be set up to better and strengthen community bonds and partnerships with institutions in the agricultural industry.

02.17.01 My startup contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

6

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification for my startup

Partnerships strengthen accountability and the success of any project. The quality of work and it's timely delivery comes depends on the specialists involved and the different fields they are involved in. Strategic partnerships will ensure proper management of resources, coordination in logistics, fiscal discipline and availability to international markets.

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

3

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.

3

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

3

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.

6

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

6

06.08 Justification for my startup

Farmers acquire loans from companies like Neef and CDH bank so they are able to buy and sell produce like soya for a profit as well as buy fertiliser to cultivate tobacco, Maize etc. These institutions do no have the Infrustructure to supervise or give in-depth training into farming, market analysis as far as the cash crops they cultivate are concerned. My organisation will give farmers the training and financial literacy they need to better their community and farming culture. Materials developed and provided to put registered farmers will also help them come up with alternative crops that can be exported to international markets. These include an assortment of chilli peppers, Safron, Aloe etc. Providing them with access to infrustructure that processes their products will also better their income as far as farm to market logistics are concerned.

06.09 Competitive Analysis

I would not call my competitors, competitors, but strong potential partners. The agricultural industry I am working in has gaps such as lack of funding for small holder farmers. Farmers in Rural areas rely on fertiliser coupons and good will from friends and relatives. I want to work close with suppliers and agro-dealers who will be able to offer their products and services to the local farmer who has no limited or nonresources to farm produce.

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

I have identified numerous single mothers and female small holder farmers with no access resources who have expressed strong interest in receiving funding to farm.