Zimbabwe - Business creation project

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Rabbit jerk masters aim to preserve and provide high-quality rabbit meat rich in protein, low in fat, cholesterol, Vitamin B12, iron, phosphorus and sodium, making it a healthy alternative to other types of meat.

01.01 Describe your project in more detail

Our project is to promote rabbit meat as a food source, at is rich in essential vitamins and minerals, such as Vitamin B12, iron, and phosphorus. The project helps improve the nutritional status of local communities. Rabbit farming project is also contributing to socio-economic development by providing employment opportunities and promoting entrepreneurship among small-scale farmers. The project is also contributing to rural development through our outgrower program to increase food security and reducing dependence on imported meat sources. Additionally, it promote community engagement and social cohesion by providing a platform for farmers to share knowledge and resources.

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

The project's purpose is to address the lack of quality healthy meat on the market by providing high-quality protein source that is low in fat, cholesterol, and sodium, making it a healthy alternative to other types of meat.

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

Rabbit farming is environmentally sustainable by utilizing agricultural waste products as feed sources and producing organic fertilizer from rabbit manure. Rabbits are also efficient converters of feed into meat, requiring less feed per unit of meat produced compared to other livestock species. This efficiency can reduce the environmental impact of animal production by reducing feed production demands and associated land use changes. Rabbit farming projects provide income generation opportunities for small-scale farmers, particularly women and youth. Rabbits are relatively easy to breed and require minimal space and resources compared to other livestock species. Farmers can sell rabbits for meat or live animals, as well as rabbit manure as a fertilizer source. These income streams can help improve the livelihoods of rural communities.

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

Rabbit farming projects can provide income generation opportunities for small-scale farmers, particularly women and youth. Rabbits are relatively easy to breed and require minimal space and resources compared to other livestock species. Farmers can sell rabbits for meat or live animals, as well as rabbit manure as a fertilizer source. These income streams can help improve the livelihoods of rural communities. Rabbits are culturally accepted as a food source in many developing countries, making them an attractive option for small-scale farmers looking to diversify their production systems. By promoting rabbit farming projects in these regions, there is an opportunity to build upon existing cultural practices and promote sustainable agriculture development.

01.05 When did you start working on your project?

2023-10-12

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

5

01.07 Among the other partners, how many are female?

3

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

Tinos Nkomo, has 7 years experience in Rabbit production and processing, Moreblessing Hlambelo, has 3 years experience in product development and marketing, Faith Marare, has 4 experience in Human Resource management, Eutone Rwafa, graphics and web designer with 5 years experience, Ethel Chisalo, Risk management officer with 3 years experience in risk assessment and evaluation

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

http//:www.nakeaddition.com

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

It's a project that requires low start up cost as compared to other business ventures and through our master classes we are promoting and equipping our locals with the necessary skills to help reduce multidimensional poverty among urban and peri-urban farmers in Zimbabwe. The recently rabbit commercialization is associated with a decrease in multidimensional poverty, which includes factors like education, health, and living standards.

02.02.01 My project contributes to the Zero hunger goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification

The project is one of the fast growing business with rabbit's ability to produce more than 6 times annually and a 28 to 33 days reproduction cycle it is a way of increasing meat production in Zimbabwe with an aim of getting to zero hungry.

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

Rabbit meat is healthy due to its specific nutritional characteristics such as high contents of polyunsaturated fatty acids, proteins, and essential amino acids. At the same time, moderately high energy values, low fat, and low cholesterol levels contribute to its desirable composition

02.04.01 My project contributes to the Quality education goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification

The recently introduced Rabbit master class is to ensure that as many potential rabbit farmers are equipped with the necessary skills to successful run their own businesses profitably. The project trains young people to rear rabbits and sell their products to earn money for school fees.Urban rabbit farming can serve as an educational platform for community members to learn about sustainable agriculture practices, animal welfare, and responsible food production. By engaging community members in the process of raising rabbits, urban farms can foster a sense of ownership and stewardship for the environment while promoting sustainable living practices. Additionally, surplus rabbit meat or manure can be shared among community members, strengthening social connections and promoting a collaborative approach to sustainability

02.05.01 My project contributes to the Gender equality goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification

Our team is equally distributed in gender distribution with 3 males and 3 females. The project aims to support people most in need in the community and enable women to earn money for themselves and their families. Rabbit farming is a low-cost and sustainable form of agriculture and can contribute to reducing gender disparities by empowering women economically, promoting gender equality, advancing food security, and achieving several SDGs.

02.06.01 My project contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

2

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification

02.07.01 My project contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

2

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

Rabbit farming projects provide income generation opportunities for small-scale farmers, particularly women and youth. Rabbits are relatively easy to breed and require minimal space and resources compared to other livestock species. Farmers can sell rabbits for meat or live animals, as well as rabbit manure as a fertilizer source. These income streams can help improve the livelihoods of rural communities. Urban rabbit farming presents opportunities for entrepreneurship and economic growth within local communities. Small-scale rabbit farms can provide income for families while contributing to local food security. Furthermore, excess rabbit products (e.g., manure, fur) can be sold or traded within the community, generating additional revenue streams and supporting local economies.

02.09.01 My project contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

7 - Strongly Agree

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification

The introduction of the D12x and D6x rabbit cages with water dispenser and waste collection to utilize on all by products of rabbit farming and maximize of income

02.10.01 My project contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification

Rabbit farming projects provide income generation opportunities for small-scale farmers, particularly women and youth.

02.11.01 My project contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification

Rabbits are smaller animals that require less space compared to traditional livestock such as cows or pigs. This makes them suitable for urban and suburban environments where land is limited. By utilizing small spaces, such as backyards, rooftops, or community gardens, rabbit farming can help promote local food production and contribute to sustainable, self-sufficient communities. Rabbits produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions compared to larger livestock. By promoting rabbit farming in urban areas, the overall carbon footprint associated with transporting food from rural farms to cities can be reduced. Moreover, manure produced by rabbits can be used as a natural fertilizer for local gardens, further reducing the need for chemical fertilizers and promoting a circular economy.

02.12.01 My project contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification

Rabbit meat is a lean protein source that requires less feed compared to other livestock. This efficient feed conversion results in lower resource consumption and reduced environmental impact. Rabbit farming can help bridge the gap between traditional agriculture and urban sustainability efforts by providing a locally sourced, low-impact protein source for city dwellers.

02.13.01 My project contributes to the Climate action goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification

Rabbits produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions compared to larger livestock. By promoting rabbit farming in urban areas, the overall carbon footprint associated with transporting food from rural farms to cities can be reduced. Moreover, manure produced by rabbits can be used as a natural fertilizer for local gardens, further reducing the need for chemical fertilizers and promoting a circular economy.

02.14.01 My project contributes to the Life below water goal

2

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification

02.15.01 My project contributes to the Life on land goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification

Urban rabbit farming can serve as an educational platform for community members to learn about sustainable agriculture practices, animal welfare, and responsible food production. By engaging community members in the process of raising rabbits, urban farms can foster a sense of ownership and stewardship for the environment while promoting sustainable living practices. Additionally, surplus rabbit meat or manure can be shared among community members, strengthening social connections and promoting a collaborative approach to sustainability.

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

7 - Strongly Agree

02.16.02 Peace justice and strong institutions - Justification

Urban rabbit farming can serve as an educational platform for community members to learn about sustainable agriculture practices, animal welfare, and responsible food production. By engaging community members in the process of raising rabbits, urban farms can foster a sense of ownership and stewardship for the environment while promoting sustainable living practices.

02.17.01 My project contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification

It is a resource-efficient and eco-friendly method of producing high-protein meat, making it a valuable contribution to the international market.it has a significant market in Europe and Asia. Furthermore, rabbit meat is halal, kosher, and not prohibited by Hinduism, making it accessible to a wide range of consumers. The growing interest in locally sourced and sustainable meat products also presents an opportunity for rabbit farmers to tap into niche markets.

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

7 - Strongly Agree

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

5

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

3

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.

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

The rabbit jerks are creating a new brand of rabbit meat products that have a long and preserved shelf life that is also easier to export.

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

Cultured meat, also known as lab-grown meat or clean meat, is a relatively new technology that involves growing animal cells in a lab to produce meat products without the need for animal slaughter. Cultured meat has the potential to significantly reduce the environmental impact of meat production, address animal welfare concerns, and provide a more scalable and consistent source of protein. However, there are still technical and regulatory challenges to overcome before cultured meat becomes a viable competitor to rabbit farming.

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

Compared to other livestock farming, rabbit farming requires low investment costs. Female entrepreneurs can start with a small number of rabbits and gradually expand their business as they gain more experience and capital. The low investment costs also make rabbit farming less risky than other types of farming.