Nigeria - Startup under 3 years old

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Dowho Farms connects local farmers with consumers for fresh, affordable produce. We promote sustainable farming, offer educational workshops, and support young entrepreneurs. By eliminating middlemen and ensuring fair prices, community well being.

01.01 Describe your startup in more detail

"In a nation of over 223 million people, comprising 2.78% of the world's population, the demand for food is immense. Can our farmers meet the growing needs of Nigeria's population? "With food inflation at 35.4% in 2024, Nigerians face price instability due to middlemen in the food supply chain, food wastage from interstate importation, and the supply of stale produce. Farmers struggle with market access, machinery, education, and industry trends. Dowho Farms connects farmers directly to consumers, making produce affordable and fresh, regulating prices, and reducing middlemen. We provide workshops and training on sustainable farming practices and industry trends. Additionally, we plan to offer a farm machinery rental and lease system to support farmers and encourage youth to pursue commercial farming without the heavy cost burden.

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

Food Insecurity and Supply Chain Inefficiencies in Edo State, Nigeria On July 14, 2023, the federal government of Nigeria declared a state of emergency on the food security situation in the country, with over 25 million Nigerians facing acute hunger in 2024. Edo State, not exempted, faces severe food insecurity due to: - Price instability - High transportation costs from interstate importations of farm produce - Middlemen levies - Food wastage due to transportation time These issues lead to malnutrition and economic strain for low-income households, who spend a large portion of their income on food. Market traders and food processing companies suffer from reduced profits due to high transportation costs and spoilage. Price instability strains household budgets, causing reduced food consumption as food price inflation exceeds 30%, with up to 40% of food being lost in the supply chain. This widespread problem affects both urban and rural populations.

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

Dowho Farms addresses the food insecurity and supply chain inefficiencies in Edo State by providing fresh, locally-produced farm goods directly to consumers. Our solution works in several key ways: 1. Reducing Transportation Costs: By producing food locally in Edo State, we eliminate the high transportation costs associated with interstate imports, making our produce more affordable. 2. Eliminating Middlemen Levies: Consumers buy directly from our farm, bypassing middlemen. This reduces additional costs and helps stabilize prices, providing more affordable food options for low-income households. 3. Minimizing Food Wastage: With shorter transportation times, our farm ensures that produce reaches customers quickly, reducing spoilage and maintaining nutritional value. 4. Employment Opportunities: Our farm, located in a rural setting, creates employment for unskilled laborers in marginalized communities, contributing to local economic development. By addressing price instability, high

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

Our target audience are individuals below 60 years and above 18 years. Also food processing companies, caterers, hotels, and farmers who are into commercial farming in need of machinery lease. Edo State's population is 4,700,000. - 56% are aged 20-60, totaling 2,632,000 (Total Available Market). - 60% of this group is our Serviceable Available Market (1,417,200). - With a 12% projected market penetration, our Serviceable Obtainable Market is 170,064, addressing pain points like high food prices and food insecurity. This estimate considers current demographics and our strategy to expand through mechanized farming, catering to diverse customer needs

01.05 When was your company established?

2023-12-06

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.)

Habiba Adoga, Co-founder and Dowho Farm's Chief Financial Officer merges agricultural expertise with McKinsey Accelerate experience. Beyond finance, she spearheads community development, utilizing tech and data for sustainable growth, ensuring innovation meets financial acumen at the intersection of excellence in financial management and community development.

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

https://www.dowhofarms.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

By creating job opportunities and training programs for local farmers, Dowho Farms helps lift individuals and communities out 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

We provide affordable, fresh produce directly to consumers, reducing food insecurity and ensuring access to nutritious food.

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

Dowho Farms provides fresh, affordable produce and promotes sustainable farming, enhancing community health.

02.04.01 My startup contributes to the Quality education goal

6

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification for my startup

Dowho Farms provide education to farmers

02.05.01 My startup contributes to the Gender equality goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification for my startup

Nill

02.06.01 My startup contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification for my startup

Nill

02.07.01 My startup contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification for my startup

Nill

02.08.01 My startup contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

5

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification for my startup

Dowho Farms supports economic growth through job creation and sustainable farming practices, enhancing livelihoods in rural areas

02.09.01 My startup contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification for my startup

Nill

02.10.01 My startup contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification for my startup

Nill

02.11.01 My startup contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

6

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification for my startup

Nill

02.12.01 My startup contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification for my startup

Nill

02.13.01 My startup contributes to the Climate action goal

5

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification for my startup

By incorporating renewable energy and sustainable farming methods, we help mitigate climate change impacts

02.14.01 My startup contributes to the Life below water goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification for my startup

Nill

02.15.01 My startup contributes to the Life on land goal

5

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification for my startup

Our commitment to biodiversity and sustainable land management protects and restores ecosystems, promoting life on land

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

Nill

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

Nill

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

2

06.02 The product/service represents an entirely new type of product/service.

2

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.

7 - Strongly Agree

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

5

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.

7 - Strongly Agree

06.08 Justification for my startup

Farm Produce Sharing System: helps individuals pool resources for bulk purchases, reducing costs per person and making produce more affordable than individual purchases. This appeals to a broader customer base, including those with limited budgets seeking cost-effective options. Direct Purchase System: eliminates middlemen by selling directly to consumers, reducing costs, and ensuring fresher products. This streamlined approach enhances transparency, strengthens customer relationships, and allows for more competitive pricing, giving Dowho Farms a distinct market advantage. Regulated Pricing System: prevents price hikes by offering stable and fair prices to consumers. By controlling prices internally, it shields customers from market fluctuations, ensuring affordability and trust. This consistency fosters customer loyalty and positions Dowho Farms as a reliable and competitive source of farm produce, especially as transportation costs are reduced

06.09 Competitive Analysis

1. Affordability through Bulk Purchases: Our Farm Produce-sharing system allows individuals to pool resources for bulk purchases, reducing costs per person and making fresh produce more affordable. 2. Direct-to-Consumer Sales: By eliminating middlemen, we reduce costs and ensure fresher products. This direct approach enhances transparency, strengthens customer relationships, and allows for more competitive pricing. 3. Regulated Pricing: We offer stable and fair prices, protecting consumers from market fluctuations and ensuring affordability and trust. This consistency fosters customer loyalty. 4. Sustainable Practices: We emphasize sustainable farming techniques, promoting environmental stewardship and long-term agricultural health. 5. Community Empowerment: Through targeted training programs and mentorship, we empower local farmers, with a special focus on female entrepreneurs, to enhance productivity and

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

Dowho Farms is dedicated to empowering female entrepreneurs within the community through various initiatives. One key action is providing targeted training programs focused on sustainable farming practices, business management, and leadership skills specifically for women. By partnering with local women's groups and cooperatives, Dowho Farms ensures that female farmers have access to resources and knowledge that enhance their productivity and profitability. Additionally, Dowho Farms offers mentorship programs where successful female entrepreneurs in agriculture guide and support emerging female farmers. This mentorship fosters a supportive network that encourages more women to pursue agricultural entrepreneurship. Dowho Farms also promotes gender-inclusive policies, ensuring equal opportunities for women in all its projects and initiatives. By highlighting the achievements of female farmers in their marketing and community outreach efforts.