Ethiopia - Business creation project

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Transforming perishable onions into long-lasting flakes to combat spoilage and price fluctuations, reducing dependency on imported onions. Our sustainable solution ensures consistent supply and quality for consumers and businesses while helping farmers.

01.01 Describe your project in more detail

Our project aims to address the issue of onion spoilage and significant price fluctuations in Ethiopia by producing high-quality onion flakes. Onions are a staple in Ethiopian cuisine but are highly perishable, leading to substantial waste and reliance on imports during shortages. By dehydrating locally sourced onions, we extend their shelf life, ensuring a stable and affordable supply throughout the year. Using advanced dehydration technology, we preserve the flavor and nutrients of fresh onions, providing a convenient and sustainable alternative. Our onion flakes are perfect for households, restaurants, and food manufacturers, offering a reliable ingredient that reduces waste and import dependency. This initiative not only supports local farmers by creating a market for surplus produce but also enhances food security and economic stability

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

The primary problem we aim to solve is the high spoilage rate of fresh onions, which contributes to significant price volatility and an increased need for imported onions in Ethiopia. Fresh onions are highly perishable, leading to substantial waste and frequent supply shortages. These shortages cause price fluctuations that impact consumers and businesses, making onions less affordable and accessible. By producing onion flakes, we can drastically reduce spoilage and stabilize the onion supply. Our solution extends the shelf life of onions, ensuring a consistent and reliable supply throughout the year. This not only helps in maintaining stable prices but also reduces the dependency on imported onions, supporting local agriculture and enhancing food security. Our project aims to provide a sustainable, high-quality alternative that benefits the entire supply chain from farmers to consumers.

01.03 Tell us the major benefits and/or advantages of using the product/service that your project intends to provide (at least 3).

Reduced Spoilage and Waste: Our onion flakes significantly extend the shelf life of onions, drastically reducing spoilage and waste. This helps ensure a stable and reliable supply of onions year-round, addressing the issue of perishability and minimizing food waste. Price Stability and Affordability: By providing a consistent supply of locally produced onion flakes, we can mitigate the impact of seasonal shortages and price fluctuations. This stabilizes prices, making onions more affordable for consumers and reducing the need for costly imports. Convenience and Consistency: Onion flakes offer a convenient alternative to fresh onions, eliminating the time-consuming tasks of peeling, chopping, and storing. They provide a consistent quality and flavor, making them ideal for home cooks, restaurants, and food manufacturers, enhancing culinary efficiency and reliability. These benefits collectively support local farmers, boost food security, and promote sustainable agricultural practices

01.04 Please describe who exactly your project is aimed at serving. Who are the targeted beneficiaries?

Local Farmers: By creating a demand for surplus onions, we provide farmers with a reliable market, helping them increase their income and reduce losses from unsold produce. Consumers: Households benefit from a stable and affordable supply of onion flakes, enjoying the convenience and reduced waste compared to fresh onions. This also helps in stabilizing household budgets affected by onion price fluctuations. Food Industry Professionals: Restaurants, caterers, and food manufacturers gain access to a consistent and high-quality ingredient, improving the efficiency and consistency of their culinary operations. Retailers: Grocery stores and markets can offer a long-lasting product with reduced spoilage, improving their inventory management and profitability. Economy and Food Security: By reducing dependency on imported onions, our project supports the national economy and enhances food security, ensuring a steady supply of a crucial culinary ingredient.

01.05 When did you start working on your project?

2024-04-01

01.06 How many other partners are associated with your business venture?

2

01.07 Among the other partners, how many are female?

0

01.08 Please describe the profile of each of the other partners (skills, experience, etc.)

1. Yohansse tesema - Agricultural Specialist Biruk aynalem over 2 years of experience in agricultural development and food processing. He has worked extensively with local farmers, helping them improve crop yields and adopt sustainable practices. His skill in crop management and post-harvest technology is crucial for sourcing high-quality onions and optimizing the dehydration process. 2. Biruk Aynalem - Business Development Expert Biruk Aynalem has a background in business administration experience in startup development and market expansion. He has successfully launched and scaled several agribusiness ventures. Biruk's skills in strategic planning, market analysis, and stakeholder engagement are vital for establishing our market presence, forging partnerships, and driving the growth of our onion flakes business.

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

01.10 Which industry best describes your project?

l) Agriculture

02.01.01 My project contributes to the No poverty goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification

Our project significantly contributes to the "No Poverty" goal by directly impacting the economic stability and livelihood of local farmers in Ethiopia. By creating a consistent and reliable market for surplus onions, we provide farmers with a steady income, reducing their vulnerability to poverty. The production of onion flakes mitigates financial risks associated with the perishability of fresh onions, allowing farmers to sell produce that might otherwise spoil. Our initiative also supports job creation along the entire supply chain—from farming and processing to distribution and sales. By employing local workers in production facilities, we create additional income opportunities within the community, reducing poverty levels and promoting financial independence among local households. Additionally, by reducing dependency on imported onions, our project stabilizes local markets, making essential food items more affordable and accessible to low-income families.

02.02.01 My project contributes to the Zero hunger goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification

Our project significantly contributes to the "Zero Hunger" goal by enhancing food security and nutrition in Ethiopia. By converting fresh onions into long-lasting onion flakes, we ensure a consistent and reliable supply of this essential ingredient year-round, mitigating seasonal shortages that can lead to hunger. This stability in supply helps maintain a steady availability of nutritious food, crucial for achieving food security. Our initiative supports sustainable agriculture by providing a reliable market for local farmers' produce, encouraging them to increase production and adopt sustainable farming practices. This not only boosts local food production but also ensures that more nutritious food reaches consumers. Additionally, by reducing reliance on imported onions, our project helps stabilize prices, making nutritious food more affordable and accessible to low-income families. The longer shelf life of onion flakes also reduces food waste, further contributing to food security.

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

6

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification

Our project contributes to the "Good Health and Well-Being" goal by providing a high-quality, nutritious alternative to fresh onions. Onion flakes retain the essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants found in fresh onions, promoting better nutrition and overall health. By making nutritious food ingredients more accessible and affordable, we help improve dietary quality for families, which is vital for maintaining good health and preventing malnutrition. Additionally, the convenience of onion flakes reduces the time and effort required for meal preparation, encouraging more people to cook at home using wholesome ingredients. This can lead to healthier eating habits and a reduction in the consumption of processed foods, which are often linked to poor health outcomes. By supporting local farmers and reducing economic stress in agricultural communities, our project also promotes mental well-being.

02.04.01 My project contributes to the Quality education goal

4

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification

02.05.01 My project contributes to the Gender equality goal

4

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification

02.06.01 My project contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

3

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification

02.07.01 My project contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

4

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification

02.08.01 My project contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

7 - Strongly Agree

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification

Our project promotes sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth by creating job opportunities across the entire supply chain—from farming and processing to distribution and sales. By establishing a consistent market for surplus onions, we provide farmers with a reliable income, encouraging them to expand their operations and employ more workers. Our production facilities also generate employment opportunities, offering decent work conditions and fair wages, which contribute to the economic upliftment of local communities. By fostering local entrepreneurship and supporting small-scale farmers, our project drives economic growth and inclusivity. This not only enhances the livelihoods of individuals directly involved but also stimulates broader economic activity in the region. Our focus on sustainable practices ensures that this growth is environmentally responsible, aligning with the goal of promoting decent work and economic growth for all.

02.09.01 My project contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

6

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification

Our project contributes to industry innovation and infrastructure by utilizing advanced dehydration technology to produce high-quality onion flakes. This technological innovation improves the efficiency and sustainability of food processing, reducing waste and extending the shelf life of perishable goods. By investing in modern production facilities, we enhance local infrastructure, supporting industrial growth and technological advancement in the agricultural sector. Additionally, our project fosters inclusive industrialization by integrating small-scale farmers into the supply chain, providing them with access to new markets and technological resources. This inclusive approach promotes sustainable industrialization and supports resilient infrastructure development, essential for long-term economic growth and stability in the region.

02.10.01 My project contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

4

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification

02.11.01 My project contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

6

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification

Our project supports the development of sustainable cities and communities by promoting local food production and reducing dependency on imported goods. By stabilizing onion prices and ensuring a steady supply, we help create food-secure communities, which is a cornerstone of sustainability. The reduction in food waste from spoilage also contributes to more efficient resource use and less environmental impact. Moreover, our initiative fosters economic stability and job creation within local communities, making them more resilient and inclusive. By encouraging sustainable agricultural practices and local processing, we contribute to the development of self-reliant communities that are better equipped to withstand economic and environmental challenges.

02.12.01 My project contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification

Our project embodies the principles of responsible consumption and production by transforming perishable onions into long-lasting flakes, significantly reducing food waste. By ensuring that surplus produce is efficiently utilized, we minimize waste and promote a circular economy. Our production process emphasizes sustainability, using energy-efficient dehydration technology and minimizing resource consumption. Furthermore, by providing a stable and reliable market for local farmers, we encourage sustainable agricultural practices and enhance the overall efficiency of the food supply chain. Our focus on local sourcing and production supports the local economy while reducing the carbon footprint associated with long-distance transportation of imported onions. This approach aligns with the goal of ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns, fostering environmental stewardship and economic resilience.

02.13.01 My project contributes to the Climate action goal

4

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification

02.14.01 My project contributes to the Life below water goal

3

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification

02.15.01 My project contributes to the Life on land goal

4

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification

02.16.01 My project contributes to the Peace justice and strong institutions goal

4

02.16.02 Peace justice and strong institutions - Justification

02.17.01 My project contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

6

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification

Our project contributes to the "Partnerships for the Goal" by fostering collaborations between various stakeholders in the agricultural and food sectors. We partner with local farmers, agricultural cooperatives, and processing facilities to create a cohesive and efficient supply chain for producing onion flakes. These partnerships ensure the consistent quality and availability of our product while supporting local economic growth. We also collaborate with government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and educational institutions to promote sustainable agricultural practices and innovation. These partnerships facilitate knowledge transfer, access to new technologies, and capacity-building initiatives that enhance the productivity and sustainability of local farming communities. Furthermore, by engaging with international markets and development organizations, we aim to expand our impact beyond local boundaries, contributing to global food security and economic development.

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

1 - Strongly Disagree

05.02 The product/service we envision creating represents an entirely new type of product/service.

7 - Strongly Agree

05.03 The product/service we envision creating could be described as a new technology.

7 - Strongly Agree

05.04 The product/service we envision creating is an improvement on an existing product or service.

3

05.05 The product/service we envision creating could be described as an extension of a range of products or services.

3

05.06 The product/service we envision creating responds to a demand or need that has not been satisfied by other products/services.

3

05.07 The product/service we envision creating is a new version of an old product/service.

3

05.08 Justification

05.09 Who are your main potential competitors and what makes you stand out from them?

In Ethiopia there are no competitors but my add value or value proposition is Nutritional value Shelf life flavor

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

yes I have many female friends who has passion to be entrepreneurs and i share the resources and trainings and we take trainings together.