Nigeria - Startup under 3 years old

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Ayosifam leverages the use of modern processing techniques and clean energy to process cassava into versatile food products thereby reducing carbon footprint, increasing the shelf-life of cassava and creating prosperity for the farmers.

01.01 Describe your startup in more detail

Ayosifam Integrated Service Ltd, a registered business in Nigeria, leverages technology to reduce the carbon footprint in cassava processing, combat food insecurity, and create prosperity for smallholder rural farmers. We facilitate rapid marketing for farmers through our online marketplace, www.ayosifamhub.com.ng, which connects them to a broader market and eliminates profit-eating middlemen. By processing cassava into versatile food products like Garri, Lebu, and cassava flour, Ayosifam enhances the value and shelf-life of cassava, minimizing post-harvest loss. Our innovations enable farmers to sell more of their harvests, access wider markets, and generate more jobs in their communities.

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

According to October Cadre Harmonise, a government-led UN-supported Food and Nutrition analysis that is carried out every year, an estimated 25 million Nigerians will be food insecure in the second half of the year 2023. A new NASA study also states that climate change may affect the production of maize and wheat as early as 2030. Yield is expected to decline by 24%. Considering the above statistics, . Cassava is a climate-smart crop, highly resilient and could provide Africa with options for adaptation whilst other major food staples face challenges. Yet, cassava deteriorates threw days post-harvest leaving over 6 million farmers in Africa (70% of who are women) in extreme poverty and increasing food security. The main problem being addressed is the pervasive food insecurity in Nigeria, exacerbated by climate change impacts on staple crops and the post-harvest deterioration of cassava, which leaves millions of smallholder farmers, particularly women, in poverty.

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

1. Reduced Post-Harvest Loss and Increased Shelf-Life: By processing cassava into versatile food products like Garri, Lebu, and cassava flour, Ayosifam significantly extends the shelf-life of cassava, thereby minimizing post-harvest loss and reducing waste. 2. Expanded Market Access and Increased Profits: Our online marketplace, www.ayosifamhub.com.ng, connects smallholder farmers directly to a wider market, eliminating middlemen who typically reduce their profits. This ensures farmers can sell more of their harvest at fair prices, boosting their income. 3. Job Creation and Community Prosperity: By enabling farmers to access broader markets and sell more of their produce, Ayosifam creates new job opportunities within rural communities. Our innovations support local economies, contributing to overall community development and prosperity.

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

Ayosifam's products and services are primarily aimed at serving smallholder rural farmers in Nigeria, especially those involved in cassava cultivation. These farmers, many of whom are women, benefit from enhanced market access, increased profitability, and reduced post-harvest losses. Additionally, the broader community benefits through job creation and economic development driven by improved agricultural practices and market connections.

01.05 When was your company established?

2022-03-01

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.)

Banjo Paul Famuyiwa is also a co-founder of the company. He is the operation manager and he oversees the daily activities in the factory. He is a graduate of History from the University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria. He has great negotiating skills, report writing, and proficiency in Microsoft Office.

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

https://www.instagram.com/ayosifamintegratedservice?igsh=dTZvYTBzdzZ4ZDkz

01.11 Which industry best describes your project?

d) Primary commodities (food, drink, household and personal products)

02.01.01 My startup contributes to the No poverty goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification for my startup

Ayosifam contributes to SDG 1 - No Poverty in several key ways: 1. Increased Income for Farmers: By processing cassava into high-value products and providing an online marketplace to connect farmers directly with buyers, Ayosifam ensures that farmers receive fair prices for their produce, significantly boosting their income and lifting them out of poverty. 2. Job Creation: The enhanced market access and value-added processing create new job opportunities within rural communities, reducing unemployment and providing stable income sources for local families. 3. Economic Empowerment of Women: With 70% of cassava farmers being women, Ayosifam's initiatives specifically empower female farmers by increasing their earnings and providing them with greater economic independence, directly addressing gender-related poverty.

02.02.01 My startup contributes to the Zero hunger goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification for my startup

By processing cassava into products with a longer shelf-life, such as Garri, Lebu, and cassava flour, Ayosifam reduces post-harvest losses, ensuring a more reliable and consistent food supply for the population.

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

By minimizing post-harvest losses and increasing the shelf-life of cassava through value-added processing, Ayosifam ensures a more reliable supply of nutritious food products, reducing the risk of hunger and malnutrition among rural communities.

02.04.01 My startup contributes to the Quality education goal

4

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification for my startup

Ayosifam contributes to SDG 4 – Quality Education by providing training and educational resources to smallholder farmers on sustainable farming practices, efficient cassava processing techniques, and market strategies. By enhancing their knowledge and skills, Ayosifam empowers farmers to improve their productivity and economic outcomes, fostering lifelong learning and capacity building within rural communities.

02.05.01 My startup contributes to the Gender equality goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification for my startup

Ayosifam contributes to SDG 5 (Gender Equality) by empowering women, who make up 70% of the smallholder cassava farmers in Africa. By providing these women with access to a broader market through our online marketplace, we help them increase their income and economic independence. Additionally, our innovations in cassava processing reduce post-harvest losses, ensuring that women farmers can maximize the value of their harvest. Also, in our processing factory, 90% of our workforce are women. This economic empowerment supports gender equality by enhancing the financial stability and decision-making power of women within their households and communities.

02.06.01 My startup contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

2

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification for my startup

Nil

02.07.01 My startup contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

2

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification for my startup

Nil

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

Job Creation: By enhancing cassava processing and expanding market access, Ayosifam generates new employment opportunities within rural communities, thereby reducing unemployment and underemployment. Increased Income for Farmers: By eliminating middlemen and connecting farmers directly to a wider market through our online platform, Ayosifam ensures that farmers receive fair prices for their produce, significantly boosting their incomes and fostering economic growth.

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

Ayosifam contributes to Sustainable Development Goal 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) in the following ways: 1. Industry Development: By establishing efficient cassava processing methods and transforming cassava into value-added products like Garri, Lebu, and cassava flour, Ayosifam fosters the growth of the agro-processing industry. This development not only enhances the agricultural value chain but also supports local manufacturing and processing sectors. 2. Infrastructure Enhancement: Ayosifam's creation of an online marketplace, www.ayosifamhub.com.ng, provides a digital infrastructure that connects smallholder farmers to wider markets. This infrastructure facilitates efficient distribution channels, reduces dependence on intermediaries, and ensures that farmers can directly access consumers and larger markets. 3. Innovation in Agriculture: By leveraging technology to reduce the carbon footprint in cassava processing and implementing climate-smart agriculture

02.10.01 My startup contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

3

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification for my startup

Nil

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

1. Economic Growth and Job Creation: By enhancing market access for smallholder farmers and increasing their profits through the online marketplace, Ayosifam stimulates local economies, creating jobs and fostering economic resilience within rural communities. 2. Reduction in Carbon Footprint: The startup leverages technology to implement more efficient and sustainable cassava processing methods, thereby reducing the carbon footprint associated with traditional agricultural practices. 3. Empowerment and Inclusion: By targeting smallholder farmers, particularly women who make up a significant portion of this demographic, Ayosifam promotes social inclusion and economic empowerment, leading to more equitable and sustainable communities.

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

By processing cassava into products with a longer shelf-life such as Garri, Lebu, and cassava flour, Ayosifam reduces food waste and ensures more efficient use of harvested cassava.

02.13.01 My startup contributes to the Climate action goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification for my startup

By leveraging technology to reduce the carbon footprint in cassava processing and promoting a climate-smart crop, Ayosifam supports sustainable agricultural practices that are resilient to climate change, ensuring long-term food production and security.

02.14.01 My startup contributes to the Life below water goal

3

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification for my startup

Nil

02.15.01 My startup contributes to the Life on land goal

3

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification for my startup

Nil

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

Nil

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

Ayosifam collaborates with technology providers to develop and maintain its online marketplace, www.ayosifamhub.com.ng, enabling efficient market connections for smallholder farmers. This partnership enhances farmers' access to broader markets, promoting economic growth and reducing poverty. Ayosifam engages with local communities, NGOs, and Ministry of Agriculture to implement climate-smart agricultural practices and innovative cassava processing techniques. These partnerships help to ensure the sustainable development of rural farming communities and improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers.

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

7 - Strongly Agree

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.

1 - Strongly Disagree

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.

4

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

5

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

1 - Strongly Disagree

06.08 Justification for my startup

1. Climate-Smart Solutions: By focusing on cassava, a highly resilient and climate-smart crop, Ayosifam addresses the challenges posed by climate change on traditional staple crops. This strategic choice ensures sustainability and adaptability in agricultural practices. 2. Technology Integration: The use of an online marketplace (www.ayosifamhub.com.ng) to connect smallholder farmers directly to a broader market is a novel approach in the region. This platform eliminates the need for middlemen, ensuring farmers retain more profit and access better market prices, which is a significant shift from traditional farming sales methods. 3. Value-Added Processing: Ayosifam not only cultivates cassava but also processes it into diverse products such as Garri, Lebu, and cassava flour. This value addition significantly extends the shelf-life of cassava, reduces post-harvest losses, and opens up new revenue streams for farmers.

06.09 Competitive Analysis

1.Traditional Middlemen and Local Markets: These entities have historically dominated the agricultural market, controlling the distribution and pricing of farmers' produce. 2. Other Agricultural Tech Startups: There are several startups focused on improving market access and processing for farmers, such as Farmcrowdy and Thrive Agric. 3. Large Agricultural Corporations: Companies involved in large-scale cassava processing and distribution. What Makes Ayosifam Stand Out: Direct Market Access: Unlike traditional middlemen, Ayosifam's online marketplace provides direct connections between farmers and buyers, ensuring farmers receive fair prices and greater profits. Value-Added Processing: Ayosifam’s focus on processing cassava into versatile products like Garri, Lebu, and cassava flour extends the crop’s shelf-life and reduces post-harvest losses. This added value proposition is not typically provided by our competitors.

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

Yes, we train women about garri processing, help them register their business and explain the funding opportunities available for them.