Nigeria - Startup under 3 years old

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Yemert is bridging the gap for Africa's food system. We empower smallholder farmers with crop insurance & connect them directly to consumers for fresh produce, all through accessible tech. We are building a secure food future, one harvest at a time.

01.01 Describe your startup in more detail

Yemert is a pioneering Agritech Management Organization (AMO) tackling food security challenges in Africa. Our unique model empowers smallholder farmers by providing affordable crop insurance plans to protect against weather risks, insecurity and financial losses. Through our Yemert Fresh platform (website and app in development), consumers can connect with Yemert-insured farmers to purchase fresh produce directly, ensuring quality and fair prices. We leverage technology (USSD, WhatsApp for basic phones, smartphone app) to bridge the digital divide and ensure accessibility for all stakeholders. Essentially, we are building a collaborative ecosystem where farmers gain resilience, consumers benefit from a secure food supply, and Africa's food system thrives.

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

At Yemert, we are tackling two major problems intertwined within Africa's food system, simultaneously: 1. Unpredictable weather patterns, lack of financial safety nets, in some communities farmers are being attacked and killed by herdsmen, thereby devastating crops and livelihoods. Farmers struggle to recover from losses, limiting their ability to invest in their land and perpetuating a cycle of vulnerability. 2. Consumers, especially in peri-urban areas, face challenges in finding affordable, fresh produce. With inflation directly affecting the value chain, there is limited market access and price fluctuations making it difficult for them to consistently access a healthy diet. We are tackling food insecurity by building resilience across the agricultural value chain, from the farmer to the consumer's plate.

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

1. Yemert's affordable crop insurance plans act as a safety net, protecting farmers from financial losses due to unforeseen events. This empowers them to take risks, experiment with new techniques, and invest in their land for long-term growth, ultimately leading to more sustainable and productive farms. 2. Consumers seeking healthy, local produce benefit from Yemert's model. Yemert Fresh, the platform connecting consumers with insured farmers, offers more competitive prices due to the reduced number of intermediaries in the supply chain. This ensures greater access to fresh food for consumers, especially those in peri-urban areas. 3. Yemert offers a win-win situation for all stakeholders. Farmers gain resilience, consumers can see where their food comes from and support local agriculture, and the entire food system benefits from increased stability and efficiency.

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

Yemert targets two key demographics within Africa's food system to create a ripple effect of positive change. 1. Smallholder Farmers who are the backbone of Africa's agriculture, but they often lack access to financial security and risk management tools. 2. Consumers in peri-urban & underserved communities who often face challenges in accessing fresh, affordable produce. Limited market access, price fluctuations, and inconsistent quality can make it difficult to find healthy food options.

01.05 When was your company established?

2024-02-01

01.06 Are you already selling your product/service?

No

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.)

Precious Opusunju is a seasoned senior software engineer with over a decade of experience in full-stack development. With a deep passion for AI and machine learning, he excels at merging technical prowess with creative product development. Proficient in both frontend and backend development, DevOps, and machine learning, I bring a versatile skill set to the table. Alongside his technical expertise, he possesses strong interpersonal skills, including leadership, empathy, attention to detail, and a quick learning ability. Precious is dedicated to delivering top-quality results, fostering success for projects and teams alike.

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

https://www.yemert.co

01.11 Which industry best describes your project?

l) Farming

02.01.01 My startup contributes to the No poverty goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification for my startup

Our core mission aligns perfectly with UN SDG No. 1. By empowering farmers, improving food security, and fostering economic growth, we tackle poverty at its root, creating a more sustainable and prosperous future for Africa.

02.02.01 My startup contributes to the Zero hunger goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification for my startup

By stabilizing food production, improving market access, and empowering smallholder farmers, we are creating a more resilient and sustainable food system, paving the way for a future where hunger is no longer a concern.

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

4

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

02.04.01 My startup contributes to the Quality education goal

4

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification for my startup

02.05.01 My startup contributes to the Gender equality goal

5

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification for my startup

02.06.01 My startup contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

4

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification for my startup

02.07.01 My startup contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

4

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification for my startup

02.08.01 My startup contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

4

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification for my startup

02.09.01 My startup contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

5

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification for my startup

02.10.01 My startup contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

4

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification for my startup

02.11.01 My startup contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

4

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification for my startup

02.12.01 My startup contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

4

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification for my startup

02.13.01 My startup contributes to the Climate action goal

5

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification for my startup

02.14.01 My startup contributes to the Life below water goal

4

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification for my startup

02.15.01 My startup contributes to the Life on land goal

4

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification for my startup

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

3

02.16.02 Peace Justice and Strong Institutions- Justification for my startup

02.17.01 My startup contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

6

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification for my startup

We don't operate in isolation as we're building a network of stakeholders working together to create a more sustainable and equitable food system in Africa.

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

5

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

6

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

6

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

3

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.

6

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

7 - Strongly Agree

06.08 Justification for my startup

06.09 Competitive Analysis

Traditional Insurance Companies: These often cater to large-scale farms and may have complex products inaccessible to smallholders. Microfinance Institutions (MFIs): While some MFIs offer loan products for agricultural purposes, they might not provide specific risk mitigation tools like crop insurance. Pricepally: Who run an agricultural e-commerce, with limited reach. At Yemert, we create a holistic ecosystem, combining accessible insurance, farmer support through technology, and a direct connection to consumers (Yemert Fresh), this empowers smallholder farmers, supports a secure food supply chain, and creates value for all stakeholders.

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