Nigeria - Startup under 3 years old

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Maanj Agric Limited aims to produce food in a way that does not damage the environment, is economically efficient, meets current food demands leveraging Technology and smallholder farmer networks .

01.01 Describe your startup in more detail

Maanj Agric is an Agricultural Franchise i.e. an entity that franchises grassroot level farmer organizations. The franchise model provides the required economies of scale to efficiently deliver services to small holder farmers, such as training and development, credit, best practice agricultural input technologies and output aggregation, storage and marketing services. Maanj Agric improves the incomes and livelihoods of small holder Nigerian farmers, by providing a sustainable, private sector channel for cost effective delivery of enhanced agricultural technologies and services that optimize yields and labor productivity, while simultaneously improving market access. The Maanj Agric model overcomes a key underlying structural problem that keeps small holder Nigerian farmer’s poor i.e. low economies of scale. Utilizing a sustainable private sector franchise model, Maanj Agric provides cost effective end-to-end services to a network of franchise farmer groups.

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

In Nigeria, small holder farming is currently not profitable, and unfortunately traps famers in a cycle of poverty. We recognize that the underlying challenge facing small holder farmers is low economies of scale. Nigerian small holder farmers are highly fragmented, spread out over vast areas on small plots of land unable to access quality cost effective inputs, credit or government services to be successful and finally, they are in a weak position in the output markets and are taken advantage of by middle men. They are in effect squeezed on both ends and we should not be surprised that such a situation has trapped them in poverty. Maanj Agric is trying to solve the following problems: 1. Inadequate Input Supply 2. Limited Access to Financial Services. 3. Limited Access to Public Services such as training, extension and targeted support. 4. Limited Access to Output Marketing

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

1. Access to quality Inputs 2. Access to Training and Development 3. Access to premium Markets 4. Ensuring food security

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

Maanj Agric Limited's product/services is aimed at servicing the Nigerian smallholder farmer to enable them increase productivity which will in turn improve their livelihood as they are responsible for producing about 90% of all the food produced and consumed within the country.

01.05 When was your company established?

2022-02-09

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.)

Salome Magawata Ibrahim is COO and co-founder of Maanj Agric Limited. She co-managed the set-up of Arzikin Noma Nig. Ltd in 2021 achieving a 96% repayment, co-pioneered the set-up of Bunkasar Manoma the out-grower arm of Thrive Agric where the operation achieved a 96% repayment rate and managed the recruitment of 17,188 new farmers in a Bill Gates, UK Aid, KIVA funded project with Babban Gona. Salome Ibrahim has a Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, and an MBA in Agribusiness Management with over 9 years’ experience. Daniel Makpa Danjuma is the CEO and co-founder of Maanj Agric Limited. Before joining the Agric space He pioneered the set-up of Peniel model prints moving it from a two-man team to a 20 man strength in 2 years increasing revenue by over 200% through his innovative and strong marketing skills. Daniel works with Thrive Agric averaging a 97% repayment over a three-year period. He has a Bachelor’s degree in metallurgical engineering.

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

https://www.maanjagric.com/

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

In Nigeria, agriculture accounts for about 40% of the GDP, it has high growth potential, is labor intensive and requires low skill requirement. Hence, the agriculture sector is best suited to tackle youth unemployment, and become Nigeria’s job creation engine. Currently the agriculture sector employs 70% of the country’s work force, and is well suited to absorb a significant portion of the expected influx of 40 million youths within the next ten years. Maanj Agric employ youths from the communities, train them

02.02.01 My startup contributes to the Zero hunger goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification for my startup

Maanj Agric provides smallholder farmers with Development and training, Access to credit, Access to quality input service and Marketing services to increase agricultural productivity and strengthen the smallholder farmer network within the country. According the latest report from the International Rescue Committee (IRC) and its partners says that around 16% of Nigerians will face severe food insecurity or hunger between June and August 2024, Maanj Agric is working hand-in-hand with smallholder farmers to ensure that there is an increase in the amount of food produced within the country that will be affordable for the common man.

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

Due to Maanj Agric’s highly controlled supply chain we are able to ensure members utilize best practices/technologies to produce a premium traceable product for our customers. An example includes the use of Aflasafe by our membership, which significantly reduces a major food toxin, Aflatoxin, prevalent in maize produced in Nigeria.

02.04.01 My startup contributes to the Quality education goal

5

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification for my startup

Maanj Agric identifies high performing small holder farmer leaders and provides them the required training and development to establish strong democratic farmer groups.

02.05.01 My startup contributes to the Gender equality goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification for my startup

25% of the Maanj Agric farmers are women. Our expectation was to have closer to 40% women in the first year. However, a significant portion of the women leaders we selected, selected men as approximately 50% of their Trust Group membership, while no male leader selected women in their groups. As the majority of our highest performing groups have been women, we expect to have over 50% of our membership as women in 2030. We will be incentivizing the formation of all women groups by providing a discount on the interest rate charged on the credit provided by Maanj Agric, to reflect the lower risk profile of all women groups.

02.06.01 My startup contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

5

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification for my startup

Maanj Agric encourages farmers not to dispose used chemical containers into water bodies to avoid contamination. Maanj Agric also does not engage in dry season farming which aids to deplete water aquifers thereby shortening water supplies to communities,

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

Maanj Agric supplies solar dryers within communities to dry their grains as opposed to drying by the road side where cars, bikes, and animals trample on them introducing alot of contamination to these food products. These Solar dryers are used by various farmers within the community taking turns within a 24 to 48 hours window.

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

In Nigeria, agriculture accounts for about 40% of the GDP, it has high growth potential, is labor intensive and requires low skill requirement. Hence, the agriculture sector is best suited to tackle youth unemployment, and become Nigeria’s job creation engine. Currently the agriculture sector employs 70% of the country’s work force, and is well suited to absorb a significant portion of the expected influx of 40 million youths within the next ten years.

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

Maanj Agric deploys technology to onboard, Map farmers field , distribute input , monitor field during the season and harvest produce at harvest. This ensure farmer data is captured and kept over the years to compare yield before and after joining Maanj Agric franchise farmer group. Maanj Agric also liaises with banks to get the farmer enrolled on BVN and NIN thereby opening accounts for them to enable the carryout transactions without carrying huge amount of cash around. This is also giving the farmer credit and transaction history to enable them access personal loans from commercial or microfinance banks.

02.10.01 My startup contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

5

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification for my startup

25% of the Maanj Agric farmers are women. Our expectation was to have closer to 40% women in the first year. However, a significant portion of the women leaders we selected, selected men as approximately 50% of their Trust Group membership, while no male leader selected women in their groups. As the majority of our highest performing groups have been women, we expect to have over 50% of our membership as women by 2030

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. Draining of aquifers due to irrigation: Maanj Agric does not participate in dry season farming and hence does not utilize irrigation. 2. Increased erosion: Maanj Agric is working to reduce the amount of erosion in two ways. First, by ensuring farmers plant as early as possible, we ensure that the land is not bare during the peak rainfalls, reducing the first stage of water erosion i.e. splash erosion. Second, based on the results of the Maanj Agric farm analysis, which determines the slope of the land, Maanj Agric advises farmers on appropriate ridge formation to mitigate the risk of rill erosion.

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

According to a report by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), an estimated 14 million tons of food is wasted in Nigeria every year, making it one of the highest contributors to food wastage in Africa. Maanj Agric trains her farmers on post-harvest losses and provides storage facility for her smallholder farmers to reduce food waste within the country.

02.13.01 My startup contributes to the Climate action goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification for my startup

Maanj Agric provides climate friendly seed variety to her smallholder farmers as well as encourages her farmers to plant trees around the perimeter of their farmlands as well as discourage tree felling. Maanj Agric is taking preventive measures to ensure preservation of the environment; • Reducing the incidence of slash and burn agriculture by encouraging farmers to be more productive on their existing land, reducing pressure on farm land due to increased productivity. • Promoting optimal use of agro chemicals • Reduced erosion due to early planting and appropriate land preparation.

02.14.01 My startup contributes to the Life below water goal

5

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification for my startup

The nature of the Maanj Agric process ensures that farmers are utilizing the appropriate quantity of agricultural chemicals in the appropriate manner. Based on the Maanj Agric farm analysis, Maanj Agric delivers the exact optimum amount of agrochemicals to a farm based on its size and needs. Maanj Agric actively advises farmers that the chemicals provided by Maanj Agric are optimum for their needs and hence we do not advise that they apply additional agrochemicals, with the exception of specific pest infestations. Maanj Agric encourages farmers to recycle used chemical containers and not throw them into water bodies which will kill the life under water

02.15.01 My startup contributes to the Life on land goal

5

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification for my startup

Maanj Agric provides the appropriate balance of agricultural inputs, at the right time, applied in the right way, at highly competitive prices. This ensures that members of Maanj Agric Trust Groups attain optimal levels of productivity and product quality, while minimizing negative environmental impacts.

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

4

02.16.02 Peace Justice and Strong Institutions- Justification for my startup

02.17.01 My startup contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

5

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.

1 - Strongly Disagree

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.

5

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

3

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.

5

06.08 Justification for my startup

06.09 Competitive Analysis

Competitiors 1. Babban Gona Farmer Services provide farmers with inputs and training but we go a step further empowering their women with FMCGs to set up mini business within their communities to enable them have a constant stream of income all year round. 2. Thrive Agric ; Thrive agric also provides inputs to farmers but we make use of drones to survey farmer fields to ensure the health of the field all year round. 3. Afex Commodity exchange ; Afex Commodity exchange mainly aggregates produce from and to third parties but we support smallholder farmers with the right input at the right to farm and provide storage and marketing services sharing profit with the farmer. We support our farmers to get documentation for their farms securing them against disputes that arises when a bread winner dies.

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

We incentivize female smallholder by providing them with FMCGs to sell within their communities during off farming season.