Democratic Republic of Congo - Startup under 3 years old

Describe your project or startup in a few words

AGRIMOD SARL's VUNA digital platform empowers 250+ small-scale farmers in Ruzizi Valley, South-Kivu with market access, and sustainable practices, boosting agricultural yields, incomes, and rural economic growth.

01.01 Describe your startup in more detail

Agriculture Moteur de Développement SARL (AGRIMOD SARL) is an innovative AgriTech startup transforming agriculture in the Ruzizi Valley, South Kivu, DR Congo through our cutting-edge VUNA digital platform. Our platform supports over 250 farmers by providing real-time data on weather patterns, crop management techniques, and market prices, helping them make informed decisions to optimize their yields and income. We manage over 37 hectares of arable land using sustainable and climate-smart agricultural practices in Marunga, Uvira territory. VUNA also facilitates direct sales between farmers and buyers, eliminating intermediaries and ensuring fair pricing. Our agro-processing initiatives add value to raw agricultural products, increasing profitability for small-scale farmers. In addition to technological support, we offer extensive training programs on sustainable farming practices and the use of digital tools.

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

AGRIMOD SARL aims to solve the problem of low agricultural productivity and limited market access faced small-scale farmers in South-Kivu Province, DR Congo. Traditional farming practices, lack of potential markets, lead to high post-harvest losses. Small-scale farmers struggle with inadequate access to profitable markets. This limits their income potential and economic stability. By leveraging VUNA digital platform, AGRIMOD SARL provides farmers with innovative tools, resources, and market linkages, enhancing productivity, reducing post-harvest losses, and increasing their overall profitability and resilience.

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

The VUNA digital platform, developed by AGRIMOD SARL, is a transformative tool designed to address key challenges in agricultural productivity and market access in South-Kivu: Enhanced productivity: Farmers receive tailored agronomic advice based on real-time data. This guidance helps optimize planting schedules, crop rotations, and pest management strategies, ultimately boosting yields and farm profitability. Market access and fair Pricing: By facilitating direct connections between farmers and buyers through the platform, AGRIMOD SARL ensures fair pricing and reduces dependency on middlemen. This empowers farmers to negotiate better terms and access broader markets, thereby increasing their incomes. Sustainable agriculture: The platform promotes sustainable farming practices by encouraging the efficient use of resources such as water and fertilizers. Data analytics help farmers minimize waste and mitigate environmental impacts, supporting long-term agricultural resilience.

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

The VUNA digital platform developed by AGRIMOD SARL primarily targets smallholder farmers in the Ruzizi Valley, South-Kivu, particularly those facing challenges in accessing markets, receiving timely agricultural information, and achieving fair prices for their produce. These farmers, often marginalized and lacking access to modern agricultural practices, benefit from the platform's tailored agronomic advice, direct market connections, and tools for sustainable farming. By empowering these farmers with technology, AGRIMOD SARL aims to enhance their livelihoods and contribute to agricultural resilience in the region.

01.05 When was your company established?

2024-02-20

01.06 Are you already selling your product/service?

Yes

01.07 How many other owners are there within your startup?

3

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.)

1. Cirhuza Birhaheka Onesphore is the CEO/Co-founder of AGRIMOD SARL. He has more 6 years experience in developing projects in Agribusiness. He has also experience in Project management in International and National Organizations. He has a Graduate degree (BAC+5) in Letters and Human Sciences. 2. Daniel Rubambura: He is the CTO/Co-founder. He is an expertised software developer with 6+ years building commercial applications. He has an expertise in Technologies (React, React Native, MongoDB, AWS Lambda, Spring Boot, Express, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Bootstrap). His experiences as a Full Stack Engineer: In 2021, he was the Full Stack Engineer at Vodacom Kinshasa-DR Congo, From 2018 to 2021, he was the Full Stack Engineer at Airtel Bharti Kinshasa-DR Congo, From 2016 to 2018, he dealt with the position of Java Software at SCOPEX; a remote position. His education: He has a Computer Science Degree since 2016. 3. Wilondja Nyangi Ibrahim: He has 10 years in projects development.

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

https://agrimod.net/

01.11 Which industry best describes your project?

d) Primary commodities (food, drink, household and personal products)

02.01.01 My startup contributes to the No poverty goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification for my startup

AGRIMOD SARL strongly contributes to SDG 1: No Poverty by empowering smallholder farmers in the Ruzizi Valley through the VUNA digital platform. By providing access to market information, fair pricing, and agricultural best practices, we enable farmers to increase their productivity and income. This directly lifts them out of poverty, creating sustainable economic opportunities and improving livelihoods in rural communities. Our efforts align with SDG 1's mission to eradicate extreme poverty and ensure social protection for all, particularly the vulnerable and marginalized groups in society.

02.02.01 My startup contributes to the Zero hunger goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification for my startup

AGRIMOD SARL strongly contributes to SDG 2: Zero Hunger by enhancing food security and nutrition through our VUNA digital platform. We empower smallholder farmers in the Ruzizi Valley with access to agricultural knowledge, market information, and sustainable practices. This enables them to increase crop yields and diversify production, ensuring consistent food availability and improved nutrition in the community. By linking farmers to markets and optimizing supply chains, we reduce food loss and waste, contributing directly to SDG 2's target of ending hunger, achieving food security, improving nutrition, and promoting sustainable agriculture.

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

6

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

Since my startup focuses on agribusiness with a digital platform, it indirectly contributes to SDG 3 by improving food security and nutrition through sustainable agricultural practices. By empowering small-scale farmers in South Kivu with better access to markets, agricultural knowledge, and resources, my initiative promotes healthier lifestyles and enhances well-being within the community. This holistic approach addresses underlying health determinants linked to food production and economic stability, aligning with SDG 3's objective of ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages.

02.04.01 My startup contributes to the Quality education goal

6

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification for my startup

My startup, through the VUNA digital platform, contributes to SDG 4 by providing quality education to small-scale farmers in South Kivu, DR Congo. It offers agricultural training, technological literacy, and access to market information, empowering farmers with essential skills and knowledge to improve productivity and income. By fostering capacity-building and sustainable farming practices, my initiative enhances educational opportunities within the agricultural sector, promoting lifelong learning and supporting rural development. This aligns with SDG 4's aim to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education, contributing to economic growth and community resilience.

02.05.01 My startup contributes to the Gender equality goal

6

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification for my startup

My startup emphasize on Gender equality. For instance, 85% of employees in my startup are women. Furthermore, our main beneficiaries are young women. We empower small-scale farmers (women) in rural areas of south-Kivu province.

02.06.01 My startup contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

2

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification for my startup

We are currently focus on innovations towards agriculture but we hope for next 1 years, we want to implement projects about clean water and sanitation in Marunga, Uvira territory.

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

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

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

My startup does not align with this SDG

02.10.01 My startup contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

5

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification for my startup

My startup also focuses on this Sustainable development Goal by creating jobs for youth with disabilities, youth refugee, young women and men.

02.11.01 My startup contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

2

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification for my startup

My startup does not focus on this SDG

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

My startup does not focus on this SDG

02.13.01 My startup contributes to the Climate action goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification for my startup

AGRIMOD SARL strongly contributes to SDG 13: Climate Action through our innovative approach to agriculture using the VUNA digital platform. We promote climate-smart agriculture practices among farmers in the Ruzizi Valley, enhancing resilience to climate change impacts. Our platform facilitates the adoption of sustainable farming techniques, efficient water management, and soil conservation practices. By reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting biodiversity conservation, we mitigate climate risks and contribute to building climate resilience in agricultural communities.

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

02.15.01 My startup contributes to the Life on land goal

5

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification for my startup

My startup restore land through resilient techniques that address climate challenges in undeserved communities in South Kivu in DR Congo. We have 37ha of land where we empower smallholder farmers in Marunga, Uvira through climate and smart agriculture innovations.

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

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

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

4

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.

4

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.

7 - Strongly Agree

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

4

06.08 Justification for my startup

Our startup, AGRIMOD SARL, provides a unique and innovative product/service, the VUNA digital platform. We "Agree" that our product/service represents an entirely new type of service by integrating digital technology into agriculture. It introduces new technology ("Agree") to the region, enhancing farming efficiency through data-driven decision-making. While it could be considered an extension of digital services into agriculture ("Somewhat agree"), it primarily addresses unmet needs ("Strongly Agree") by providing farmers with real-time information, market access, and resource management tools not available from other services. This innovation transforms traditional agriculture, increasing productivity and sustainability in the region.

06.09 Competitive Analysis

Our main potential competitor is Kivu Green, which also develops digital solutions for agriculture but operates primarily in North Kivu and does not directly work with small-scale farmers. What sets AGRIMOD SARL apart is our direct engagement with small-scale farmers in South Kivu, specifically in the Ruzizi Valley and Marunga. Through our VUNA digital platform, we provide tailored support, real-time data, and market access, focusing on sustainable practices and community development. This direct and localized approach ensures that our solutions are effectively addressing the specific needs of small-scale farmers.

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

Yes, AGRIMOD SARL is actively promoting the role of female entrepreneurs and empowering small-scale farmers (women) in South Kivu. We conduct tailored training sessions on agricultural practices, provide access to the VUNA digital platform for improved productivity, facilitate market access, and support women in leadership roles within agricultural cooperatives. These initiatives aim to enhance economic opportunities, promote gender equality, and foster sustainable development in our community.