Zimbabwe - Business creation project

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Nutri Kula project seeks to promote good health and well-being of people of all age groups across Africa and the world over. It's meal replacement bars and porridge made of organic farm produce well tailored to meet everyday nutrition requirements.

01.01 Describe your project in more detail

Nutri Kula is a project designed to promote good health, sustainable farming methods reducing dependency on fast food. This is accomplished through meal replacement bars and porridge. The meal replacement bars are made from natural, locally grown produce. They are tasty, soft and highly nutritious ready to eat bars. Nutritional values are according to the daily requirements for specific age groups. On the other hand, the porridge is also made from farm produce mainly small grains. Small grains are ideal especially amidst prevailing drought conditions affecting most parts of Africa. The porridge cooks quickly, making it energy efficient.

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

Lack of convenient and nutritious meal options, poverty and food insecurity.

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

1. High nutrition 2. Convenience and time-saving 3.Supporting sustainable food systems

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

People with hectic schedules who struggle to find time for elaborate meals can benefit from the convenience and portability of your bars and porridge. Those seeking nutritious and balanced on-the-go options can find value in your product's focus on farm-fresh ingredients and essential nutrients. College students often have limited access to healthy meals. Your porridge or bars can be a convenient and affordable way for them to get the nutrients they need. All age groups are included in this project.

01.05 When did you start working on your project?

2024-03-01

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

12

01.07 Among the other partners, how many are female?

6

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

The majority of us are young and goal oriented university students. One among us runs a logistics and energy (LP Gas) company. We also have ladies who are passionate about healthy lifestyles. There is a lady among us who is studying Tourism and Hospitality Management and is skilled in areas to do with food. Students studying towards Business Management and Accounting degrees are also part of the team.

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?

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

02.01.01 My project contributes to the No poverty goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification

By sourcing ingredients from local farms, we create a demand for their produce, which translates to income for farmers and contributes to poverty reduction in rural communities.

02.02.01 My project contributes to the Zero hunger goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification

The project provides nutritious and convenient meal replacements, ensuring access to safe, affordable, and sufficient food for all. This is especially helpful in areas facing food insecurity or for people with busy lifestyles who might struggle to get all the nutrients they need.

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

7 - Strongly Agree

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification

By focusing on nutritious ingredients, we contribute to healthy diets and improved well-being.

02.04.01 My project contributes to the Quality education goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification

N/A

02.05.01 My project contributes to the Gender equality goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification

The meal replacement bar and porridge business creates job opportunities that cater to women's needs. We are also considering flexible work schedules or work-from-home options in specific roles to allow women with childcare responsibilities to participate in the workforce. Within the company, gender balance is key in leadership positions. This sets an example for the industry and empowers women to take on leadership roles in the agricultural food production sector

02.06.01 My project contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification

N/A

02.07.01 My project contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification

N/A

02.08.01 My project contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

6

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification

Sourcing farm produce encourages farmers to increase their production. As they increase production, their work force also increases meaning decent work. Our project employs more people as it grows too. Ultimately, the economy also grows.

02.09.01 My project contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification

N/A

02.10.01 My project contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

4

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification

Implementing fair trade agreements ensures farmers receive a fair price for their produce, reducing income inequality within the agricultural sector.

02.11.01 My project contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

4

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification

Meal replacement bars provide nutritious food, reduction of the adverse effects of natural disasters like the Elnino induced drought. The main ingredients for the porridge are small grains, which are drought resistant.

02.12.01 My project contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

6

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification

By using farm produce, we promote sustainable food production systems that reduce food waste and environmental impact. Look to source from local farms that utilize sustainable practices like crop rotation and water conservation.

02.13.01 My project contributes to the Climate action goal

2

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification

Using sustainable farming practices and reducing food waste, you can contribute to mitigating climate change.

02.14.01 My project contributes to the Life below water goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification

N/A

02.15.01 My project contributes to the Life on land goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification

N/A

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

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.16.02 Peace justice and strong institutions - Justification

N/A

02.17.01 My project contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification

We have partnered with Manicaland State University of Applied and Enactus Zimbabwe in project 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.

6

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

2

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

2

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.

7 - Strongly Agree

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

6

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

7 - Strongly Agree

05.08 Justification

Our products' ingredients are natural, locally sourced and well integrated to appeal not only to human senses but also to nutritional requirements covering all age groups. While the products names like porridge and meal replacement bars are common, the contents are unique. It's not just the porridge or meal bars people are used to, it's the new flavour and new health benefits that puts us in our own category.

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

Red Seal, Pagomo foods, Nestle and Makonde Nutrition constitute the main competitors for porridge. NECTIS and FUTURELIFE are for the bars. Unlike products from these companies, our are cheap without compromising health standards, making them affordable to marginalized communities. They come in Eco-friendly packaging. Nutri Kula brings all generations from the older ones to the younger ones because it is a combination of traditional produce with a touch of modern food preparation techniques.

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

We have the plan but it has not yet been implemented. We plan to host forums for female entrepreneurs where they get to share their ideas and possibly offer some grants for outstanding ones.