Democratic Republic of Congo - Business creation project

Describe your project or startup in a few words

AgriTech Insights rises to meet a pressing need of soil analysis for farmers by offering portable state-of-the-art soil testing machines and agronomic support services meticulously crafted for the intricacies of agricultural endeavours in the DRC.

01.01 Describe your project in more detail

At AgriTech Insights, we offer a range of portable soil testing machines and solutions designed to meet the diverse needs of the agricultural sector in the DRC. Our soil testing machines provide accurate and reliable results, and our online platform allows you to access and analyze your data in real time. This enables you to make informed decisions about your soil health and productivity and to optimize your agricultural operations for maximum efficiency and profitability. Our machines are easy to use, maintain, and transport, making them ideal for a variety of agricultural settings. AgriTech Insights' web and app-based platforms, to be developed in the future, will provide customers with convenient access to their soil testing data, interactive mapping features, personalised recommendations, regional crop saturation and regional crop pricing. This digital platform will enhance the user experience and facilitate data-driven decision-making for agricultural companies in the DRC.

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

In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the agricultural sector grapples with a fundamental challenge: the absence and inaccessibility of reliable soil testing infrastructure. This deficiency hampers farmers' ability to optimize crop yields, sustainably manage land resources, and make informed decisions about soil health. With inadequate access to accurate soil analysis; lack of knowledge on its importance; slow result turn around - agricultural projects face hurdles in maximizing productivity and contributing to the region's food security and economic growth. This gap underscores the urgent need for a solution that empowers farmers with comprehensive soil testing capabilities tailored to the unique conditions of the DRC.

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

- Access to precise soil data enables better decision-making, efficient resource utilization, and improved agricultural productivity. - Cost-effective access to reliable soil testing tools, enabling more farmers to utilize advanced technology and improve their farming practices. - Comprehensive insights help farmers understand their soil conditions and implement tailored strategies for soil management and crop production. - Optimized crop selection leads to higher yields, better resource allocation, and enhanced profitability. - Web-based and app-based, will give real-time statistics and basic information of other agricultural projects by provinces to give clients a more informed view of produce in their area. This is to facilitate produce choice by future farmers, help avoid saturation and inform on pricing methods for their produce.

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

Our target market encompasses farmers, agronomists, and agricultural companies operating across various regions and crop types in the DRC. We cater to both small, medium and large-scale agricultural operations, with a focus on empowering smallholder farmers who often lack access to modern agricultural technology and resources. Our target audience will first be available to those in Kinshasa, and surrounding regions - with growth of AgriTech Insights we aim to move into more of the 26 provinces.

01.05 When did you start working on your project?

2024-04-12

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

0

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.)

Born in the vibrant city of Kinshasa and raised in London, the founder completed their studies in a prestigious university in Scotland where they completed a Bsc (Honours) in Mathematical Economics. During university she was the President of the national Scottish Economic Conference. At age 16 she was elected as a Parliament Youth member by 2,000 students in greater London. After graduation, she worked in the pan-African bank, ‘Ecobank’, in Congo stationed in the Treasury Department in charge of nationwide Treasury Sales of Forex. Her journey into the world of agriculture began in 2022 where she was exposed to the industrial agriculture of DRC. As both the protégé and executive assistant to business tycoon with extensive experience in agriculture and mining sector; she has also been working as a training junior business developer/project manager for Congo’s largest agro-industrial agricultural company producing palm oil.

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

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sephora-sissi-mazodila-95a18b17a/ + https://agritech-insights.com

01.10 Which industry best describes your project?

l) Agriculture

02.01.01 My project contributes to the No poverty goal

5

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification

AgriTech Insights will help agricultural producers increase their production which will allow them possibilities to expand. Local farmers will be able to understand the technical aspects of agriculture - educate themselves and use our services for expansion. On a national or provincial level, the increased production per farmer or agricultural company will increase an inflow of cash into the circular economy. This is a project, if expanded on a larger scale, will be able to improve the output of the agricultural sector but also reduce the importation of produce that can be grown here in Congo. Reduced importation of agricultural produce will mean a decrease on costs imposed on the average Congolese consumer.

02.02.01 My project contributes to the Zero hunger goal

6

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification

AgriTech Insights provides a gateway into knowledge of soil health and thus the methods needed to increase crop yield for each and every farmer. The services and expertise bridges a large gap in the agricultural sector that many neglect - to soil test before starting any crop bearing project. The greater the knowledge and scientific results, the greater the knowledge on how to improve crop yield - this would lead to more production of foods/produce that will help reduce levels of hunger whether provincially, regionally or even for households with primary source of income being their small pots of land used to feed their families.

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

5

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification

AgriTech Insights will help crop yield of produce grown on Congolese soil - increased output would generally mean a decrease in price for these goods. Unhealthy food in Congo is more costly than homegrown cooked healthy foods - with a low income per capita in Congo, this is something that would appeal to the masses and also government expenditure medical infrastructure treating diet based illnesses.

02.04.01 My project contributes to the Quality education goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification

We offer a service of eduction for farmers and agricultural projects, where our agronomists will explain and teach our customers the meaning of their soil analysis. We also educate them on the importance of appropriate fertiliser use and recommendation on which crops to grow based on their soil type and soil analysis.

02.05.01 My project contributes to the Gender equality goal

6

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification

AgriTech Insights is founded by a woman in agriculture who understands and witnesses the gender imbalance in this sector. Formerly understood as a male-based industry in Congo, we aim to hire training and expert female employees into our company - not only to increase gender equality but also to have an easier way to resonate with women in households so we can educate them in agricultural practices but also on healthy eating. Educating women is the best way to predict the outcome for the upcoming generations.

02.06.01 My project contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

4

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

AgriTech Insights is profoundly linked to the economy and economic growth on a national and provincial level. Our services will help boost the agricultural sector via small and large scale players. It is also very aligned with the newly elected government's 5 year objective; of increased education on farming practices, increased soil analysis for farmers of all scale.

02.09.01 My project contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

6

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification

We are introducing to the Congolese market, portable soil testing analysis machines that can be deployed across the country to help assist farmers and agricultural projects in a greater understanding of the requirements to have fruitful yielding harvests. We are also providing a web-based and app-based platform that will provide our customers with their soil analysis, fertiliser recommendation, saturation of specific crop producers in certain regions and provinces and national or provincial prices for crops in demand. All our services contain varying levels of innovation and technological advancement to improve and make more transparent our agricultural industry.

02.10.01 My project contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

5

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification

Beyond gender inequalities, we are also indirectly promoting consumer equality and producer equality. We are providing consumers and producers of all crops in the DRC with accurate pricing of crops in demand to allow a more transparent and competitive sector. Our internet platforms will provide our clients and the government also, a transparent and visual understanding of the agricultural sphere in Congo which would aid them in more efficient allocation of funds and crop goods to the regions in most need. If our internet platforms are productively, we are also providing companies both governmental and NGOs vital information on where and how they can use their aid to effectively reach those most in need, which all collectively help alleviate some inequalities faced in Congo.

02.11.01 My project contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

6

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification

Inclusion of communities will be a positive and visible by-product to AgriTech Insights. We will providing farmers with more knowledge and soil analysis to increase their yield, which would allow them to enter the market to sell their goods at reasonable prices - whether locally, regionally or nationally. This creates a network of communities and helps the trade of goods across the country - a microcosm of globalisation within such a vast African country.

02.12.01 My project contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

6

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification

Our services is circular, the more our services are used and consumed the more performing the agricultural industry will become over time. The recommendations of fertilisers based on soil types Is crucial for a sustainable production and consumption in any agricultural industry in any country. The depletion of minerals and growth substances needed in soil to produce effectively will be tackled by AgriTech Insights, and also, the correct and ethical uses of fertiliser not containing hard metals will be how we contribute to a healthy and sustainable consumption of crop goods.

02.13.01 My project contributes to the Climate action goal

5

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification

Depending on what is being grown by our customers, some of these crops in more remote areas will form as a natural barrier of water prohibiting flooding in certain areas near river banks. And also we are promoting more agricultural activity and aiding farmers expand their production via crop yield - all these activities encourage the maintenance of greenery surface of Congo, whilst economically discouraging any deforestation or land destruction.

02.14.01 My project contributes to the Life below water goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification

02.15.01 My project contributes to the Life on land goal

5

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification

AgriTech Insights is digital innovation, however how our customers use this innovation is how we will be able to help improve life on land. We encourage the growth of the agricultural sector thus all things living on land is dependent on. We are here to promote greater efficiency and biodiversity in agriculture by being able to effectively recommend the best suited crop to soil. With varying temperatures, varying soil types and varying crops adaptability, DRC is so vast that we are able to identify which areas/regions/provinces are best suited for certain species of crop and crop type - this is inadvertently advantageous in the protection of biodiversity, terrestrial ecosystems and slowing land degradation.

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

5

02.16.02 Peace justice and strong institutions - Justification

Agritech Insights will be providing financial justice to small farmers and village farming personnels, by providing them with invaluable information that will allow them to make more informed decisions on their selling and buying food crops. Transparency into the agricultural market allows better understanding by both consumer and producer of crops. With a wish of AgriTech Insights being one day a vital platform for he agricultural government to use, we are ultimately providing the Congolese government institution with an advantageous platform, methodology and execution plan on how they can strengthen their database but also their outreach to promote all levels of agriculture across the entire country.

02.17.01 My project contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

6

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification

Strengthens the goals for global partnership for sustainable development for the average farmer in the DRC. With 800 million hectares of arable land to which less than 10% is being exploited and less than 2% for agricultural purposes... every action and step taken in the direction of improving the agricultural industry of this vast country - is a step into food sustainable security for the entire world. "It is time we feed ourselves... what we do with African agriculture today will determine future of foods in the world." - Dr. Adesina, the President of the African Development Bank. This quote puts great emphasis on Africa, and for AgriTech Insights - a shine on the Democratic Republic of Congo. Our country has the capacity to feed 2 billion people - that is the entire continent between now until 2050. Our project helps my country drive towards great agricultural capacity - but first, im most concerned with helping efficiency needed to help grow more to feed babies in our villages.

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.

7 - Strongly Agree

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

5

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

7 - Strongly Agree

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

7 - Strongly Agree

05.08 Justification

We are offering portable high-end soil testing machines, soil analysis consultations, fertiliser recommendation, and crop type recommendation - this is a revolutionary extension from archaic methods of soil testing. We offeror services in real time by qualified experts. We have a fast turnaround time and best of all, we are incorporating technology into our services and products - something that as a 3rd world country, we are already 50 years behind on.

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

ISO-certified laboratories in the DRC - to which we have 5 across 26 provinces. - While ISO labs provide accurate soil analysis, they often lack modern technology and online platforms for convenient access to results. AgriTech Insights' soil testing machines offer faster turnaround times, on-site testing capabilities, and comprehensive online reporting, providing a more convenient and efficient solution for agricultural companies. -AgriTech Insights offers cutting-edge soil testing machines specifically designed for the unique soil conditions of the DRC. Our technology utilizes advanced analytical techniques to provide highly accurate and localized soil analysis results, enabling farmers to optimize soil management practices and maximize crop yields. - Our machines are portable and battery charged, which allows us to reach the most remote of places to execute soil analysis for our customers via our rental option. - Our turnaround time for soil analysis results are instant!

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

Yes, I have been helping female interns and female university students apply for entry level jobs at the agro-industrial company where I work as we are in aim of booting female employees, at the wish of our female Managing Director.