Nigeria - Startup under 3 years old

Describe your project or startup in a few words

This agrobusiness initiative revolves around contributions that, by addressing related issues encountered by Nigerian small-scale farmers in various communities, would result in valued community welfare and successful agricultural practices.

01.01 Describe your startup in more detail

This agrobusiness project is an initiative with strong entrepreneurial qualities and a focus on providing valuable contributions to the welfare of the community. It assists in resolving related issues that Nigerian small-scale farmers deal with in various communities, which helps to successfully implement agricultural practices in Nigeria. This project aims to provide ready-made solutions to the issues these farmers are facing, in addition to increasing awareness of the issues at hand. The farmers in the eastern part of Nigeria, specifically in Port Harcourt, face a number of challenges, including the high cost of feed and vaccinations and the lack of a hatchery for their hens. This project aims to begin tackling the hatchery problem, which will ultimately result in reduced chick mortality, reduced chick purchase costs, and improved climate conditions by lowering transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution, and fossil fuel consumption.

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

This project aims to provide ready-made solutions to the challenges small-scale farmers face in different communities. The main problem this project would begin with is the provision of a suitable hatchery in Port Harcourt, where the chicks would be sold at reasonable prices. This lowers the cost of purchasing the chicks, lowers transportation-related mortality of chicks, lessens the incidence of bird flu, and improves climate conditions by lowering transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution, and fossil fuel consumption. Another significant issue this project aims to address is the usage of fat-rich feeds, which has a detrimental effect on the production of meat and eggs and, consequently, on human consumption. Studies have shown that chickens on vegetable-based feed improve the quality of their produce. This, in turn, adds nutritional value that will eventually improve the health of meat consumers and possibly serve as a source of economic value to farmers.

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

This project will: reduce the cost for Nigerian small-scale farmers to purchase chicks, poults, and other birds; implement the zero hunger goal, which benefits farmers who raise these birds for human consumption only; lessen the incidence of avian influenza, which is common when chickens travel from one region or state to another; improve climate conditions by reducing transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution, and fossil fuel consumption; raise awareness of sustainability; create employment opportunities; and serve as a source of economic value to farmers and society at large.

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

This agribusiness initiative is not limited to backyard, urban, or small-scale farmers only. It provides opportunities to young farmers and women like me who are attempting to establish and strengthen their economic independence in order to gain a foothold in this world. It is intended for novice business owners and investors looking for lucrative agribusiness ventures. It is intended for farmer cooperatives who are prepared to combine their resources and strengthen their position as market participants, ultimately improving the welfare of the community. It is intended for educational institutions and research centres that prioritise raising agricultural productivity. It is intended for the world at large, as far as agricultural sustainability is concerned.

01.05 When was your company established?

2023-09-12

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?

0

01.09 Please describe the profile of the other owners within your startup (skills, experience, etc.)

In the meantime, I am the sole owner of the business.

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/d_biee_?igsh=YTRmeGJxaTI1amNl&utm_source=qr

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

7 - Strongly Agree

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification for my startup

I strongly agree that this project alleviates poverty because it builds economic diversification, which generates a steady income; empowers people—especially women and young people—by providing direct and indirect employment for all involved; improves health through improved nutrition and food security; and creates economic outcomes that are accessible and affordable for everyone. It also promotes innovation, research, and skill development, all of which raise living standards through increased productivity and economic resilience. This contributes to overall efficiency and supports long-term mitigation of poverty.

02.02.01 My startup contributes to the Zero hunger goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification for my startup

I strongly believe that this project ends hunger because it enhances food availability and nutrient-rich foods, such as meat and eggs, which help combat malnutrition, boost food security, and encourage the implementation of sustainable agricultural practices. This project, integrated with crop farming, helps improve soil fertility, resulting in sustainable food production.

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

I strongly affirm that this project promotes good health and well-being because it helps prevent zoonotic diseases, thereby protecting public health. It also combats malnutrition and stunted growth due to the essential nutrients found in meat and eggs. Due to the waste products of the birds, it provides essential soil nutrients, resulting in improved and nourished foods and fruits. It empowers women and younger individuals, providing financial independence that impacts their mental and physical health as well as that of their families.

02.04.01 My startup contributes to the Quality education goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification for my startup

I firmly agree that this project supports the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal 4—quality education—by creating awareness, educational opportunities, and vocational training that help enhance employability and entrepreneurship potential. Also, integrating poultry products into school feeding programmes eventually enhances cognitive development and academic performance. This project, in collaboration with educational institutions, improves the overall quality of agricultural science education by facilitating knowledge sharing and practice.

02.05.01 My startup contributes to the Gender equality goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification for my startup

I strongly believe that this project promotes gender equality by empowering males and females across a range of age groups, offering economic opportunities, elevating social status, and cultivating supportive networks through group initiatives, education, and a wide range of services geared primarily towards women to help them become more capable and self-assured. It encourages gender equality and raises awareness of gender issues, encouraging women to seek comparable opportunities and enhancing their managerial abilities by teaching them how to manage work and home obligations.

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 project, in collaboration with crop production, encourages sustainable agricultural practices and nutrient recycling that promotes water quality. Diverse cropping systems and rotational grazing help conserve water, protect the environment, and lessen negative environmental effects. Additionally, the utilisation of modernised poultry practices results in efficient use of water, thereby minimising wastage. I strongly believe that this project can ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all because it monitors water usage and waste disposal and implements corrective actions when necessary. It implements the recycling and reuse of water for various purposes, such as irrigating crops. This project can also provide training programmes that cover topics such as efficient water management, waste treatment, and the importance of protecting local water resources.

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

I strongly agree that this project can result in affordable and clean energy via waste-to-energy conversion. This can be achieved through heat generated from the poultry litter or through advanced means like pylorisis and gasification. These sustainable practices can help reduce environmental impacts and the carbon footprint, thereby improving productivity, economic stability, and supporting the United Nations clean energy goals.

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

I strongly agree that this project promotes decent work and economic growth because it supports rural development by creating local employment opportunities. It also fosters entrepreneurship and enhances the capacity and skills of young and vibrant individuals, leading to enhanced productivity and economic resilience. Furthermore, it promotes gender equality and supports sustainable practices, which contribute to overall economic development and 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

I strongly agree that this project plays a pivotal role in advancing the SDG goal of driving industry innovation and enhancing infrastructural development, thereby promoting sustainable practices, fostering research and development, and contributing to economic growth and community resilience. It also supports entrepreneurship training that encourages innovation-driven startups. Strengthening infrastructural resilience through sustainable practices and technological innovations would help small-scale Nigerian farmers adapt to economic and environmental challenges.

02.10.01 My startup contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification for my startup

In many rural areas of Nigeria, women play a significant role in poultry farming. By participating in poultry rearing and egg production, women can gain economic independence and decision-making power within their households, thus contributing to gender equality. I strongly believe that this project can reduce inequalities within and among countries by creating demand for local goods and services, such as agricultural inputs and infrastructure improvements, thereby stimulating rural development. This results in more balanced economic development across regions within a country and could potentially reduce economic disparities between countries by generating foreign exchange earnings and contributing to national economic growth. 

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

By embracing the principles of the circular economy—reduce, reuse, recycle—this project can minimise waste, optimise resource use, and enhance environmental sustainability. These practices not only benefit the environment but also contribute to economic viability and resilience in the face of global challenges like climate change and resource scarcity. Adopting technologies and management practices that maximise resource efficiency—such as precision farming techniques, efficient use of water and feed, and minimising waste generation—contributes to sustainable consumption and production patterns in poultry farming. Also, integrating this project with other agricultural activities, such as crop farming or aquaculture, creates synergies in resource utilisation, whereby poultry waste can be used as feed for fish in aquaponics systems, where fish waste in turn fertilises plants, creating a closed-loop nutrient cycle.

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 embracing the principles of the circular economy, this project ensures sustainable consumption and production patterns by optimising resource use and creating closed-loop systems that enhance environmental sustainability. These practices not only benefit the environment but also contribute to economic viability and resilience in the face of global challenges like climate change and resource scarcity. Adopting technologies and management practices that maximise resource efficiency—such as precision farming techniques, efficient use of water and feed, and minimising waste generation—contributes to sustainable consumption and production patterns in poultry farming. Also, integrating this project with other agricultural activities, such as crop farming or aquaculture, creates synergies in resource utilisation, whereby poultry waste can be used as feed for fish in aquaponics systems, where fish waste in turn fertilises plants, creating a closed-loop nutrient cycle.

02.13.01 My startup contributes to the Climate action goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification for my startup

This project improves climate conditions by lowering transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution, and fossil fuel consumption. It can also impact climate conditions through greenhouse gas emissions and land use changes. Adopting sustainable practices can mitigate these impacts and contribute positively to climate resilience and mitigation efforts. Furthermore, it contributes to the efficient use of resources by converting agricultural by-products and food waste into valuable protein sources through feed production. This reduces methane emissions from landfill decomposition of organic waste.

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 project would promote awareness among poultry farmers and consumers about the interconnectedness of terrestrial and marine ecosystems and foster a culture of environmental stewardship. Understanding how land-based activities affect downstream marine environments encourages responsible farming practices that minimise negative impacts. This project can also integrate with agroecological systems that support ecosystem services critical for coastal and marine environments.

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

Through rotational grazing systems, the restoration of degraded lands, and the raising of awareness about agroforestry and silvopastoral systems, which aid in the restoration and maintenance of terrestrial ecosystems, this project can help protect, restore, and promote the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, manage forests sustainably, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, and halt the loss of biodiversity. Additionally, this project can implement strategies that stop the loss of biodiversity and safeguard terrestrial ecosystems.

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

Through social innovation and entrepreneurship, this project can help create inclusive, accountable, and peaceful societies as well as effective institutions. It can also help provide access to justice. By guaranteeing access to justice, improving institutional accountability, and enabling marginalised communities to meaningfully participate in socioeconomic development, it plays a crucial role in accomplishing sustainable development goals. By lowering competition for limited resources and offering alternate means of subsistence, it can also aid in the prevention of conflict.

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

By encouraging inclusive economic growth, environmental stewardship, and resilience-building across diverse communities, this project can strengthen the means of implementing sustainable development goals and revitalise the global partnership for sustainable development. This will advance collective efforts towards achieving global development targets. Additionally, it can increase a community's resistance to the effects of climate change and economic shocks. Poultry production is a good way to diversify sources of income and decrease vulnerability, especially for marginalised and rural communities. Additionally, this project can support environmental sustainability objectives. Poultry farming helps to mitigate climate change and protect natural resources by encouraging environmentally friendly farming practices and minimising negative environmental effects.

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.

5

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

5

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

6

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

6

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.

4

06.08 Justification for my startup

Even though this start-up has a lot of customers using its product, not many people, especially in Port Harcourt, are willing to make a commitment to it due to limited support. For this reason, people who require day-old chicks and poults demand them from the western part of Nigeria. The goal of this project is to close that gap.

06.09 Competitive Analysis

My possible rivals are the commercial and specialty poultry producers in the western region of Nigeria, as this project is set to commence in Port Harcourt. I would be putting into practice sustainable feeding practices and eco-friendly farming methods to draw in customers who care about the environment as well as those who want high-quality, nutrient-dense farm produce. In order to reduce waste and improve resource efficiency, I would also apply the circular economy concept by utilising byproducts and incorporating them with other agricultural techniques. Rechargeable LED lighting would be utilised in conjunction with renewable energy sources. I have the ability to adapt to market changes, offering a variety of products, including specialty and value-added products like ready-to-cook meals, marinated poultry, and feathered pillows. I would also be able to interact with the community through this project by way of community projects, local hiring, and educational programmes.

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

I'm currently brainstorming ideas for waste management and plastic recycling in Port Harcourt with a female friend from my industrial training days. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I started a book club to provide basic knowledge to those without many activities at home. I participated in a women's support group for emotional wellness in 2021. I became a member of the Next Generation Initiative, a sickle cell awareness programme, in April 2022. In one way or another, everything I've done has inspired women in my community and beyond to become better, more confident versions of themselves.