Zambia - Startup under 3 years old

Décrivez votre projet en quelques mots

Our aim is to add value to trees and fight against deforestation through support to women in development of healthy oils for cooking & body care made from forest seeds, nuts, fruits. We use solar based and cold-pressed method to process oils.

01.01 Décrivez votre startup en détail

We produce forest seed-oils which are cold-pressed. Our focus is forest products and our aim to preserve the trees and local forest by adding value to their fruits, seeds, and nuts. These oils are suitable for consumption and cosmetic production. All oils which we produce are organic and have proven healthy benefits such as vitamins (A, B, C, D, E, Zinc), minerals, fatty acids, reducing cholesterol properties, anti-cancerous properties, moisturizing and anti-aging properties, and other wide range of health benefits. Based on community mapping we found at least 12 local species suitable for cold-pressed oil production. The most known species are: Schinziophyton rautanenii (mungongo / mongongo / booma / siambuimbui / manketti), Adonsonia digitata (baobab / mubuyu), Sclerocarya birrea (marula). We are located in Mukuni, near Livingstone, Southern Province of Zambia.

01.02 Quel est le problème principal que vous essayez de résoudre ?

Deforestation and cutting down trees are the challenges we are trying to tackle through value addition to forest products to preserve and protect trees. Deforestation leaves local women, children, and youth vulnerable, especially those who doesn’t have access to income opportunities and relies on collection of forest products. Despite rapid deforestation, Zambia still has a plenty of forest production. The potential revenues from the natural asset base in Zambia could be USD 135.8 million/annum from forest products (non-timber based). However, the Forestry revenue between 2010 and 2017 was only USD 60,993,748 per annum (Snyman 2022). We are trying to actively contribute to forest protection, regeneration and sustainable management. Adding value to forest products which will generate economic benefits will prevent trees to be cut down and will contribute to the protection and regeneration of tree species.

01.03 Dites-nous quels sont les principaux avantages et/ou bénéfices de l'utilisation du produit/service fourni par votre startup (au moins 3).

Benefits and advantages: 1. Organic products - using forest products assures the organic quality (compared to agriculture products where chemical fertilizers are being used) 2. Health benefits - proven health benefits of forest oils in cosmetics (vitamin E, Zinc) and cooking (fatty acids, minerals) 3. Support to local women and community - by buying our products, vulnerable groups such as women and remote communities are able to make income, join the economic environment, and gain social benefits. 4. Active protection and support to the environment - by purchasing our products, the environment, local forest and indigenous tree species are protected and sustainable managed. We dedicate part of our profit to protection of local forest, we produce tree seedlings and plant trees, and we are involved in sustainable forest research.

01.04 Veuillez décrire précisément à qui s'adresse le produit/service de votre startup. Quels sont les bénéficiaires visés ?

The target market is export and/or international buyers/processors. Our aim is to earn significant income for the members of the Cooperative, being able to increase the membership, and support the local community with economic & social benefits. We aim to supply international cosmetic companies, specialized companies in salad oils, and any other company/processor interested in supply of forest oils, especially on the European and American market. Suitable customers of our oils are cosmetic processing companies who would like to add to their products healthy and organic oils. We can also supply companies who process dressing and salad oils to enhance the nutrition and taste of their product.

01.05 Quand votre entreprise a-t-elle été créée ?

26/09/2023

01.06 Vendez-vous déjà votre produit/service ?

Oui

01.07 Combien y a-t-il de propriétaires de votre entreprise en plus de vous ?

11

01.08 Parmi les autres propriétaires, combien sont des femmes ?

10

01.09 Veuillez décrire le profil des autres propriétaires de votre startup (compétences, expérience, etc.).

The Cooperative was established by married couple Steven and Kamila Tembo. Steven Tembo is professional electrician (MCs under EIZ) and in charge of cooperative's technology (col-press machine, solar equipment, climate sensors, etc.). Kamila Tembo is forestry researcher and project manager at Mendel University in Brno. Steven and Kamila are in charge of management, training of cooperative and community members, bringing innovative concepts, marketing, etc. The Cooperative has currently 11 members who are local women who collect and process raw materials. The Executive boards is comprised of local women who occupy 5 positions (Chair, Vice-chair, Sec, Vice-Sec, Treasurer) and is elected annually.

01.10 Si vous avez un site web, une page sur les médias sociaux (Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin...) ou une application, veuillez fournir le(s) lien(s) ici :

https://web.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557343960537

01.11 Quel est le secteur d'activité qui décrit le mieux votre entreprise ?

Produits de base (aliments, boissons, produits ménagers et personnels)

02.01.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Pas de pauvreté'

7 - tout à fait d'accord

02.01.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

We ensure that the business generate economic and social benefits for vulnerable groups of society such as women and rural communities.

02.02.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Faim Zéro'

7 - tout à fait d'accord

02.02.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

By protecting trees, we also protect forest production (seeds, fruits, nuts) which is important part of diet and nutrition of many rural communities who depend on Non-Wood Forest Products (NWFP).

02.03.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Bonne Santé et Bien Être'

7 - tout à fait d'accord

02.03.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

We are producing organic and healthy cosmetic products for cooking and cosmetics. We offer alternatives to chemical food and cosmetics products. Our products also positively impact health of customers/users.

02.04.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Éducation de Qualité'

7 - tout à fait d'accord

02.04.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

We train local communities in development and processing of products, usage of innovative technology, integrated farming, agroforestry, afforestation. We are conducting forestry research in cooperation with Mendel University in Brno, we cooperate with LIBES and Victoria Falls University of Technology in Livingstone (internship opportunities for students).

02.05.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Égalité entre les Sexes'

7 - tout à fait d'accord

02.05.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

We promote gender equality by empowering local women why rely on collection of non-wood forest products (NWFP). Local women usually does not have access to employment opportunities and/or generate income. We provide them with both as they sell raw materials to the cooperative and participate on processing of products and generate income from sales as well.

02.06.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Eau Propre et Assainissement'

3

02.06.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

02.07.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Énergie Propre et Abordable'

7 - tout à fait d'accord

02.07.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

We promote usage of green energy and innovative technologies such as solar energy. Our techlonogy and processing plant is solar-power based. By-products which we create during processing of propduction, is also used as alternative energy within the community (shelves of nuts are used as firewood which prevents cutting trees).

02.08.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Travail Décent et Croissance Économique'

7 - tout à fait d'accord

02.08.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

We provide employment and income opportunities to cooperative and community members. We are registered as Cooperative to ensure economic growth in the whole community and we aim to grew membership as the business grow.

02.09.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Industrie, Innovation et Infrastructure'

6

02.09.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

We are promoting col-pressing methods to process oils suitable for various industries. We are using innovative technologies such as solar technology, climate sensors, etc.

02.10.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Réduction des Inégalités'

4

02.10.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

02.11.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Villes et Communautés Durables'

4

02.11.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

02.12.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Consommation et Production Responsables'

5

02.12.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

Our goal is to produce responsible products towards people's health and protection of the environment.

02.13.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Lutte contre les Changements Climatiques'

7 - tout à fait d'accord

02.13.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

Our business positively impacts the environment and we actively contribute towards fights against climate change through adding value to trees, regeneration and sustainable management of local forest and indigenous tree species.

02.14.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Vie Sous-Marine'

1 - pas du tout d'accord

02.14.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

02.15.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Vie Terrestre'

4

02.15.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

02.16.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Paix, Justice et Institutions Efficaces'

1 - pas du tout d'accord

02.16.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

02.17.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Parteneriats pour la Réalisation des Objectifs'

4

02.17.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

06.01 Un grand nombre de clients utilisent déjà un produit/service très similaire au nôtre.

2

06.02 Notre produit/service représente un type de produit/service entièrement nouveau

6

06.03 Notre produit/service pourrait être décrit comme une nouvelle technologie

5

06.04 Notre produit/service est une amélioration d'un produit ou d'un service existant

6

06.05 Notre produit/service pourrait être décrit comme une extension d'une gamme de produits ou de services

5

06.06 Notre produit/service répond à une demande ou à un besoin qui n'a pas été satisfait par d'autres produits/services.

6

06.07 Notre produit/service est une nouvelle version d'un ancien produit/service

4

06.08 Justification

Our forest based products are not well known at the market. However these products offers healthier alternatives to chemical products. Some cosmetic companies started using forest oils in their products.

06.09 Analyse compétitive

A small/medium scale production of forest oils is emerging, commercial productions are scarce in Zambia. We are the only processing plant of cold-pressed seed-oils in Mukuni chiefdom. The nearest competitors are Ehemp in Senkobo and Yumi Milling in Choma. However, these companies press only mongongo oil (Schinziophyton rautanenii) and do not focus on other forest oils. They sell to bulk buyers such as Kalahari Natural Oils and/or to small local processors. There is no company/processor who exports forest oils from Zambia to international markets. There was found a company DLG Naturals who exports from Botswana. Based on discussions with the Provincial Forestry Department of Southern Province in Zambia, some women groups are active seasonally in collection/harvest and selling of forest products (especially S. rautanenii) to buyers/processors but there is no organized market.

11.05 Menez-vous des actions au sein de votre communauté pour promouvoir le rôle des femmes entrepreneurs ?

Yes, our cooperative is women-based and all members of the cooperative are trained in business skills (for example through program AWE/WEAC)