Zimbabwe - Business creation project

Describe your project or startup in a few words

The recent drought due to the El Nino effect means that food security will be threatened. The resultant increase in demand for wholesome protein sources conveys the need to utilize alternative sources like sheep which utilize minimum water supplies.

01.01 Describe your project in more detail

The global demand for sheep products, including meat, and sheep skin, continues to rise, driven by population growth, urbanization, and changing consumer preferences. As climate change continues to pose challenges to agricultural activities and food security, evidenced by the recent drought declaration due to the El-Nino phenomenon; sheep farming becomes a lucrative venture as they require minimum water supplies. Flock to Fork Farm aims to improve food security by rearing sheep that are additive free and deliver high-quality meat and sheep by-products. Flock to Fork Farm will provide meat from sheep in the form of fresh cuts such as lamb chops, shanks and roasts; processed into ground meat and lamb burgers, and stewing lamb for mutton curry. Indigenous breeds such as Sabi, Blackhead Persian and Damara will be the main breeds reared on the farm as these naturally utilize minimal water due to storing fat reserves in their fat tail.

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

The Flock to Fork Farm aims to contribute to food security by rearing indigenous fat-tailed sheep breeds. Poor-quality forage and limited water supplies are increasingly prevalent due to climate change. The ability of fat-tailed sheep breeds to survive in harsh and arid environments ensures a more reliable source of meat and other products. Fat-tailed sheep store fat in their tails, which provides a valuable energy reserve. This fat can be an important nutritional resource, especially in times of food scarcity. The meat from these sheep is also rich in protein and essential nutrients, contributing to better overall nutrition.

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. Fat-tailed sheep require lower inputs compared to other livestock, making them cost-effective to rear. 2. The income generated from selling sheep and sheep products (meat, sheep-skin) will improve the livelihoods of rural communities particularly women and youth thus increase their resilience to climate-induced economic shocks. 3. Fat-tailed sheep have genetic traits that make them resilient to diseases and harsh climatic conditions thus they are crucial for future breeding programs aimed at developing livestock that can withstand climate change impacts.

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

The primary beneficiaries of Flock to Fork Farm are the meat consumers who will benefit from quality mutton and lamb, which is ethically produced. The naturally grown pastures will satisfy the health conscious customers by enhancing the fatty acid properties of the meat and overall meat quality. The farm will employ women and youth thus providing a stable income and improving their overall standard of living. Once established, the Farm will offer opportunities for practical education, research, and development in animal husbandry and sustainable farming practices to agricultural colleges such as Kaguvi Training Centre. The processing industry will also utilize the sheep skin into leather sandals, wallets and belts. The environment will benefit significantly because, sheep farming, when managed sustainably, can support environmental conservation efforts, including land management and biodiversity preservation.

01.05 When did you start working on your project?

2024-01-30

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

4

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.)

Sibonginkosi Chisakaitwa BSc. Agricultural Economics (Cum laude) Fort Hare; MSc. Candidate, University of Pretoria Kudzai Natasha Ngongoni Animal Scientist, Sustainable Agriculture Expert, Technical Sales Specialist, ESG Lovelyn Mushunje MSc. Animal Science Stellenbosch University Adrian Maenzanise Full-stack Developer, C#, Java, Android

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

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088672475374&mibextid=ZbWKwL

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

The Flock to Fork Farm will provide a direct source of income for Sherwood local community, particularly women. It will employ at least ten people. The first 4 will be involved in establishing irrigated forage trees and pastures, 3 youth will be responsible for the herding, watering and feeding of the sheep. The last group of 3 women will be responsible for packaging, and selling the meat. The sale of meat will generate revenue, helping to improve the financial stability of local community. The Farm will also create employment in related sectors such as processing, transportation, and marketing. This will lift individuals and families out of poverty by providing a stable income.

02.02.01 My project contributes to the Zero hunger goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification

Sheep are a source of protein-rich food through their meat (mutton and lamb). By providing a reliable food source, sheep farming can help reduce hunger and improve nutritional standards in poor communities.

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

Mutton and lamb are rich in Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFAs) for example Linoleic Acid which are critical for brain function. This provides consumers with healthy dietary options.

02.04.01 My project contributes to the Quality education goal

6

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification

The Farm will provide students from agricultural educational institutions with a chance to practice animal handling techniques such as vaccinating, deworming and hoof trimming.

02.05.01 My project contributes to the Gender equality goal

6

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification

The majority of employees at the Farm will be women and girls. They will be responsible for establishing the pastures and forage trees. They will also be packaging, marketing and selling the meat together with the Value Added Products including sausages.

02.06.01 My project contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

6

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification

The Farm will incorporate proper grazing management strategies such as rotational grazing, this will help maintain vegetation cover, reducing soil erosion and prevent sediment runoff into water bodies. Using the sheep manure as an organic fertilizer, will enhance soil fertility without the need for chemical fertilizers that can contaminate water sources.

02.07.01 My project contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

6

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification

The Farm has a solar powered borehole installed to pump water. Sheep manure at the Farm will be collected and used in anaerobic digesters to produce biogas for lighting.

02.08.01 My project contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

6

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification

The Farm will employ women to establish irrigated pastures and forage trees; watering and feeding the sheep. There will also be people responsible for adding value to the products such as processing the meat into sausages.

02.09.01 My project contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

6

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification

The farm will be an industry innovation in the sense that, it will utilize advanced genetic techniques to selectively breed indigenous sheep for specific traits such as disease resistance, drought tolerance, and meat yield.

02.10.01 My project contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

5

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification

The Farm will offer employment to marginalized people, thus bridging the gap.

02.11.01 My project contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

5

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification

The Farm is in the peri-urban area of Kwekwe, this will reduce the reliance on distant food sources and minimize the carbon footprint associated with food transportation. It will also help the surrounding communities withstand disruptions in global supply chains, ensuring a steady supply of meat and employment.

02.12.01 My project contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

6

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification

Sheep on the Farm will graze on marginal lands unsuitable for crops, optimizing land use and preventing land degradation. No past of the sheep will be wasted with skins sent for processing.

02.13.01 My project contributes to the Climate action goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification

The Farm will implement rotational grazing systems to optimize pasture utilization, prevent overgrazing, and promote soil health and vegetation regeneration. We will also integrate trees and shrubs into pasture areas to improve soil fertility, provide shade for livestock, and enhance biodiversity. The practices such as pasture management and agroforestry will sequester carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and mitigate climate change.

02.14.01 My project contributes to the Life below water goal

6

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification

The grazing management practices such as rotational grazing and controlled stocking rates practiced on the Farm, will prevent overgrazing, reducing the risk of nutrient runoff and water pollution.

02.15.01 My project contributes to the Life on land goal

5

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification

By adopting sustainable grazing, the Farm will contribute positively to the goals of protecting and preserving life on land.

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

5

02.16.02 Peace justice and strong institutions - Justification

The Farm will provide sustainable income opportunities, thus, contribute to reducing economic disparities, which are often sources of social injustice and unrest.

02.17.01 My project contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

6

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification

The Farm will partner with supply chain collaborators, including traders, processors, and retailers. It will also partner with agricultural extension services, research institutions, to offer training, and knowledge sharing on sustainable farming practices, animal welfare, and productivity improvement.

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

4

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

4

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.

4

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.

5

05.08 Justification

While the Farm itself is not a new technological innovation, we will implement technology systems such as automated feeding systems and GPS tracking for grazing management. The processing of mutton into burgers and mince will be a novel way of adding value to the meat. There is also an untapped market of sheepskin leather which will create more opportunites.

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

Our potential competitors are sheep farmers however, SPAR supermarket in Kwekwe only has one supplier. This means that there is an inadequate supply of mutton and lamb of which we are hoping to fill the gap.

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

Yes, I am a recent Alumni of UNITAR, in collaboration with the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), and Ministry of Women Affairs, Community Small and Medium Enterprises Development in Zimbabwe. Due to the invaluable skills that I acquired as a beneficiary of the programme, I am now well aware of the vast opportunities in Zimbabwe. I am now actively encouraging the women around me to identify a gap, and successfully innovate to cover that gap.