Nigeria - Startup under 3 years old

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Biogas reduces harmful smoke, improving women's health & hygiene in cassava flakes production. It also tackles deforestation by eliminating wood fuel for frying

01.01 Describe your startup in more detail

The introduction of biogas technology revolutionizes cassava flakes (garri) production, particularly benefiting women. By replacing traditional wood-fired stoves with biogas digesters, harmful smoke emissions are drastically reduced, ensuring a safer working environment and addressing respiratory issues prevalent among women. Additionally, biogas enhances hygiene standards by minimizing contamination risks associated with ash and particulate matter, thus improving the overall quality and safety of the product. Moreover, biogas mitigates the environmental impact of cassava production by reducing deforestation, a consequence of using wood as fuel for ovens. This sustainable alternative preserves valuable forest resources and contributes to environmental conservation. Overall, the adoption of biogas technology empowers women, protects their health, and fosters sustainable development in local communities.

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

The main issue is the health and environmental hazards faced by women producing cassava flakes (garri) due to traditional wood-fired stoves. These stoves emit harmful smoke, leading to respiratory issues and eye irritation among women. Additionally, they contribute to poor hygiene standards and contamination risks in cassava flakes production. Moreover, the use of wood fuels leads to deforestation, disrupting ecosystems and exacerbating climate change. Biogas technology offers a solution by replacing wood-fired stoves, thereby eliminating harmful smoke emissions, improving hygiene, and mitigating deforestation

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

Improved Health: The use of biogas eliminates harmful smoke emissions from wood-fired stoves, reducing respiratory issues and eye irritation among women engaged in garri production. Enhanced Hygiene: Biogas minimizes contamination risks associated with traditional wood fuels, resulting in improved hygiene standards and safer cassava flakes production. Environmental Conservation: By utilizing biogas instead of wood, local women contribute to mitigating deforestation, preserving valuable forest resources, and reducing the impact of climate change on their communities.

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

The poor local women that are basically in the rural areas that are producing garri The poor households that are in the villages

01.05 When was your company established?

2022-02-16

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.)

Oguntoye Abayomi is a skilled professional with three years of hands-on experience in bio digester construction utilizing water tanks. With a strong background in sustainable engineering practices, he has demonstrated expertise in designing, installing, and maintaining bio digesters for various applications. Abayomi's proficiency in implementing innovative solutions underscores his commitment to environmental conservation and community development. His track record showcases a proven ability to deliver high-quality projects that contribute to a greener future

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

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

7 - Strongly Agree

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification for my startup

Economic Empowerment: Biogas technology provides local women with a sustainable and affordable energy source for garri production. By reducing the need to purchase wood or other fuels, biogas lowers production costs, thereby increasing income and economic stability for women in these communities. Livelihood Diversification: With reduced expenditure on fuel, women can allocate resources to other aspects of their livelihoods, such as education and healthcare for their families. This diversification of resources helps in breaking the cycle of poverty and building resilience against economic shocks. Entrepreneurship Opportunities: Biogas technology can also create opportunities for entrepreneurship within the community. Women can establish small-scale biogas production units, providing employment and income-generating activities for themselves and others, thereby lifting households out of poverty.

02.02.01 My startup contributes to the Zero hunger goal

6

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification for my startup

Preserving Agricultural Resources: Biogas technology reduces reliance on wood fuel, thus preventing deforestation. This helps preserve agricultural land that would otherwise be cleared for wood collection, ensuring that valuable farmland remains available for food production, contributing to food security. Increasing Food Availability: By lowering production costs through the use of biogas, women involved in garri production can potentially increase their output. This can lead to higher availability of garri within the community, contributing to food security and reducing hunger. Enhancing Nutritional Quality: With reduced exposure to harmful smoke from wood-fired stoves, the quality of the garri produced using biogas is improved. This ensures that the food product is free from contaminants, thereby enhancing its nutritional value and contributing to better health outcomes for consumers.

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

6

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

Respiratory Health: Biogas eliminates harmful smoke emissions from wood-fired stoves, reducing respiratory ailments and eye irritations among women involved in garri production. This ensures a safer working environment and promotes better respiratory health. Hygiene Improvement: Biogas minimizes contamination risks associated with traditional wood fuels, enhancing hygiene standards in garri production. Cleaner production processes lead to safer food products, contributing to improved health outcomes for consumers. Environmental Health: By reducing reliance on wood fuel, biogas mitigates deforestation, preserving ecosystems and biodiversity. This helps maintain environmental balance, which in turn supports the well-being of local communities dependent on natural resources for their livelihoods.

02.04.01 My startup contributes to the Quality education goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

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

Empowering Women: Biogas technology reduces the time and labor required for collecting firewood, traditionally a task assigned to women. This frees up their time for other activities, such as education, entrepreneurship, or participation in decision-making processes within their communities, thereby promoting gender equality.

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

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

Clean Energy Source: Biogas technology provides a cleaner alternative to traditional wood-fired stoves, reducing harmful emissions such as smoke and particulate matter. This contributes to cleaner air and improved environmental health within communities. Renewable Energy: Biogas is derived from organic waste materials, making it a renewable energy source. By utilizing biodegradable materials such as cassava waste in biogas digesters, local women can produce energy sustainably, reducing dependence on finite resources like wood and fossil fuels. Cost-effectiveness: Biogas technology can lower energy costs for garri production by eliminating the need to purchase wood or other fuels. This affordability makes clean energy accessible to local communities, especially women who may have limited financial resources, thus promoting energy equity. Sustainable Development: The adoption of biogas technology supports the principles of sustainable development by addressing energy needs while minim

02.08.01 My startup contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

3

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification for my startup

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

Technological Innovation: Adopting biogas technology represents a significant innovation in the traditional method of garri production. This innovation enhances efficiency, reduces environmental impact, and improves the overall sustainability of the production process.

02.10.01 My startup contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

6

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification for my startup

Gender Equality: Women, who are often disproportionately affected by the negative impacts of traditional wood-fired stoves, benefit from the adoption of biogas technology. By reducing the time and labor required for collecting firewood, biogas empowers women by providing them with more opportunities for education, economic participation, and leadership roles within their communities.

02.11.01 My startup contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

2

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification for my startup

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

Resource Efficiency: Biogas production utilizes organic waste materials, such as cassava peels, as feedstock, promoting resource efficiency by turning waste into energy. This reduces reliance on finite resources like wood and fossil fuels, contributing to sustainable consumption patterns. Pollution Reduction: By replacing traditional wood-fired stoves with biogas digesters, harmful emissions and pollutants from wood combustion are significantly reduced. This helps mitigate air pollution and environmental degradation, aligning with sustainable production practices. Conservation of Ecosystems: Biogas technology reduces pressure on natural ecosystems by curbing deforestation, which is often driven by the demand for wood fuel. Preserving forests and biodiversity enhances ecosystem resilience and supports the sustainable management of natural resources. Climate Action: Biogas production emits fewer greenhouse gases compared to traditional wood combustion, contributing to climate change m

02.13.01 My startup contributes to the Climate action goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification for my startup

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction: Biogas production emits fewer greenhouse gases compared to traditional wood combustion. By replacing wood-fired stoves with biogas digesters, the emission of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, from decomposing organic waste is captured and utilized as a renewable energy source, thus mitigating climate change. Deforestation Mitigation: The adoption of biogas technology reduces reliance on wood as a fuel source for garri production, thereby mitigating deforestation. Preserving forests helps sequester carbon dioxide and maintains biodiversity, which are essential for climate resilience and carbon balance. Renewable Energy Promotion: Biogas serves as a renewable energy source derived from organic waste materials, such as cassava peels. By utilizing biogas, local women reduce dependence on non-renewable energy sources like fossil fuels, promoting the transition to a low-carbon economy and fostering climate-friendly energy practices.

02.14.01 My startup contributes to the Life below water goal

2

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification for my startup

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

biogas technology helps mitigate deforestation. Preserving forests protects diverse ecosystems, habitats, and species, contributing to the conservation of biodiversity and supporting life on land. Soil Health and Conservation: Biogas production utilizes organic waste materials, such as cassava peels, as feedstock. By diverting these waste materials from landfills and converting them into biogas, soil degradation is reduced, and nutrient-rich organic matter is returned to the soil through digestate, promoting soil health and fertility. Climate Change Mitigation: Biogas production reduces greenhouse gas emissions associated with traditional wood combustion. By capturing methane emissions from organic waste and utilizing biogas as a renewable energy source, the adoption of biogas technology contributes to climate change mitigation efforts, supporting the resilience of terrestrial ecosystems. Sustainable Land Management

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

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification for my startup

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.

4

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.

1 - Strongly Disagree

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

1 - Strongly Disagree

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.

1 - Strongly Disagree

06.08 Justification for my startup

The adoption of biogas by local women for garri production is unique and innovative due to its multifaceted benefits. Biogas technology utilizes organic waste like cassava peels to generate renewable energy, offering a sustainable alternative to wood. This reduces environmental degradation and mitigates climate change by capturing methane emissions. Moreover, biogas eliminates harmful smoke, enhancing health and safety for women while also improving air quality. Economically, it reduces production costs and creates opportunities for additional income. Its community-driven approach fosters collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and ownership, empowering women and promoting sustainable development. Overall, biogas stands as a transformative solution, uniquely addressing environmental, health, economic, and social challenges in garri production.

06.09 Competitive Analysis

none yet for the garri project

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

NO