Kenya - Startup under 3 years old

Décrivez votre projet en quelques mots

With 65% of Africa's cropland affected by severe degradation due to human exploitative activities, we have developed a closed-loop system of food production where resources are utilized effectively, waste decreased and environmental concerns are lessened.

01.01 Décrivez votre startup en détail

We have developed an economic model that seeks to reduce waste& pollution, increase resources efficiency and advance sustainability. We practice waste management to produce organic fertilizer that is a blend of crop, livestock and market waste, processed through vermicomposting and fermentation units, targeting smallholder farmers in Bungoma County struggling with low production per acreage due to poor quality soils & striga weed, at a pocket friendly price and sustainable cost. We practice regenerative farming methods & sustainable systems in production of assorted African Leafy Vegetables targeting local vendors and homesteads within Kanduyi Subcounty. This helps in cutting down costs of production enhancing circularity& sustainability, boosts biodiversity, improves soil health by increasing soil fertility, water retention and microbial activity thus increasing yields and strengthen climate resilience.

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

Land degradation- 65% of Africa's cropland is affected by land degradation which impacts food security and livelihoods particularly for smallholder farmers who rely on this land for their crops and income. Environmental sustainability- The current practices in the global agriculture involves overreliance on synthetic fertilizer, agrochemicals and machinery which has led to soil degradation resulting to very poor-quality soils. Soil health- As a result of continuous use of synthetic fertilizer, agrochemicals and machinery, this has led to the development and spread of striga weed which has degraded nitrogen off the soil resulting to low productivity per acreage affecting small holder farmers in the rural. Food security & Nutrition- Due to reduced productivity per acreage, this has led to low yields rendering households' food insecure and as a result, families cannot afford nutritious food per day resulting to malnutrition.

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).

Our competitors are bigger companies with a wider distribution network targeting large scale farmers whereas our eco-friendly organic fertilizer and regenerative solutions targets smallholder farmers in Bungoma county struggling with striga weed and low production per acreage. Our organic liquid fertilizer has proven to enhance production per acreage (up to 38%) and support farmers in adopting responsible practices at a pocket friendly price. Unlike synthetic fertilizer that deposits excess nitrogen leading to poor quality soils, we provide solutions that enhance soil health by improving soil fertility, water retention, and soil microbial activity thus increasing yields, halts and reverses the adverse effects of soil degradation.

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

Smallholder farmers struggling with soil health, low production per acreage due to poor quality soils resulting from land degradation.

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

17/03/2022

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 ?

2

01.08 Parmi les autres propriétaires, combien sont des femmes ?

1

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

Phelista Okeyo- A highly skilled Public Relations officer with over 10 years' experience in executing Public Relations strategies. As a marketing executive, Phelista is committed to provide the organization with positive interactions with our clients to maintain reputation, strengthen consumer loyalty, establish credibility fostering relationships and devising branding strategies.

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://ke.linkedin.com/in/tuuti-urban-farm-79a020228

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

Agriculture

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

Through involvement and participation of youth and women, our startup has created employment directly and indirectly within the community which enables them to earn a living and as a result, this improves their living standards. We are commited to build the resilience of the poor and those in vulnerable situations and reduce their exposure and vulnerability to climate-related extreme events and other economic, social and environmental shocks and disasters

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

Our mission is to create sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase food production for our ever-growing population without damaging the universe, help maintain ecosystems and strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change. We produce and use organic fertilizers which helps in cutting down costs of production by 35% and enhance production up to 38%, which helps increase food security at household level combating malnutrition. We supply nutritious African Leafy Vegetables to homesteads and local vendors to increase access to nutritious food within Bungoma.

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

Organic farming involves the use of natural resources and methods in food production minimizing the use of synthetic fertilizers and agrochemicals, whose residues are toxic to humans and the environment. Production and use of liquid organic fertilizer helps minimize over reliance on synthetic fertilizer which deposits excess nitrogen in the soil forming Nitrous oxide, which is a very harmful greenhouse gas. Our target is to substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals, air, water and soil pollution and contamination.

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 offer guided farm tours, capacity building, training attachment, internship and apprenticeship opportunities to train smallholder farmers and food security champions on the benefits of regenerative agriculture and clean food production with an intention to substantially increase the number of youth and women with relevant skills for sustainable food production and financial success.

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

Our startup has created employment opportunities for women directly and indirectly, working at different departments in the farm, enhancing the use of enabling technology, to promote the empowerment of women and end all forms of discrimination against all women.

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

7 - tout à fait d'accord

02.06.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

We harvest rainwater through roof catchment and store in a reservoir for farm and domestic use during the dry seasons of the year with a goal to substantially increase availability and efficient use in both farming and domestic needs to ensure sustainable supply of freshwater and reduce the intensity of suffering from water scarcity.

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

Our systems- irrigation, lighting and egg incubation entirely depend on solar energy that we harness using solar panels and store in batteries with an aim to substantially increase the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency, increase reliability and cut down costs of production enhancing sustainability.

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 have created equal opportunities for both genders to work in different departments of the farm to promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all with a goal to achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation, reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education or training, sustain per capita economic growth in accordance with national circumstances and make sure that everybody gets the benefits of entrepreneurship and innovation.

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

7 - tout à fait d'accord

02.09.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

We have created a functioning and resilient systems using innovative sustainable technologies in mechanization of farm equipment, automation of systems and intertwining Internet of Things to harmonize our processes of production. We make use of locally available materials in construction of our farm structures e.g constructed our growhouse and goat house using bamboo. We practice crop and livestock integration where the waste from animal unit is used as an important raw material in the crop unit and from the crop unit, products that cannot meet market standards are fed to the animals. Our goal is to support domestic technology, home-based solutions and industrial diversification, build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation. This will bring prosperity, create jobs and make sure that we build stable and prosperous societies across the globe.

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

7 - tout à fait d'accord

02.10.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

Our startup has created employment and training opportunities among the youth regardless of gender, race, religious beliefs or economic status to ensure equality and prosperity for everyone to improve self-sufficiency and reduce inequalities of outcome, eliminating discriminatory practices in farming and promoting and action in food security.

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

7 - tout à fait d'accord

02.11.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

We practice waste management to produce organic fertilizer which is a blend of waste from crops, livestock and market/municipal waste through vermicomposting and fermentation of organic matter to reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities by paying special attention to air quality.

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

7 - tout à fait d'accord

02.12.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

We practice vermicomposting of market and kitchen waste to produce organic fertilizer that aids in cutting down cost of production, decent disposal of organic waste, reduce food waste and protect the quality of air. We practice crop and livestock integration ensuring the products from crop unit that do not meet market standards are fed to animals and waste from the animal unit is used as an important raw material in crop production, enhancing complete circularity.

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

With a mission to strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards, we have integrated the following climate change measures: We harvest and store rainwater for use during the dry season reducing overreliance on rainfed agriculture since rainfall patterns have become unpredictable. We practice crop and livestock integration to manage waste, reducing carbon footprints and methane emissions from livestock waste. We practice integrated pest management to reduce excessive use of agrochemicals which increase greenhouse gas emissions. We produce and use organic fertilizers to conserve soil biodiversity, increase fertility and reduce excess nitrogen deposit in the soil which is a harmful greenhouse gas in form of Nitrous oxide. We hold capacity building forums to spread the awareness and measures to combat the adverse effects of climate change within our community.

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

7 - tout à fait d'accord

02.14.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

We practice, promote and encourage regenerative and sustainable agricultural practices, which include integrated pest management, crop and livestock integration and the use of organic fertilizer to reduce overreliance on agrochemicals and synthetic fertilizer which increase acidity to the soil and toxicity to aquatic ecosystem, with an aim to reduce marine pollution.

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

7 - tout à fait d'accord

02.15.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

We practice waste management to produce organic fertilizer, which is a blend of crop, livestock and market waste, processed through vermicomposting and fermentation, targeting smallholder farmers in Bungoma County struggling with low production per acreage due to poor quality soils & striga weed, at a pocket friendly price and sustainable cost. We practice regenerative farming methods & sustainable systems in production of assorted African Leafy Vegetables targeting local vendors and homesteads within Kanduyi Subcounty. This helps in cutting down costs of production enhancing sustainability, boosts biodiversity, improves soil fertility, water retention, reduces erosion, increases yields, improves food security at household level, enhancing supply of healthy and nutritious food and strengthens climate resilience, with an aim to reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss

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

3

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'

7 - tout à fait d'accord

02.17.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

65% of Africa's arable land has been affected by degradation and therefore this is a huge problem to be solved by individual efforts. We have partnered with smallholder farmers and other market players across Bungoma County to share the responsibility of applying solutions for addressing the problem of degradation, low production per acreage, water retention and protection of biodiversity. We have created partnership with local vegetable vendors and homesteads for supply of nutritious African Leafy Vegetables to promote food security and combat malnutrition at household levels. We promote and use sustainable technologies to promote the development, transfer, dissemination and diffusion of environmentally sound technologies in our daily operations on favorable terms, with a goal of minimizing waste, reduce greenhouse gas emissions

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

7 = Tout à fait d'accord

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

7 - Tout à fait d'accord

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

7 - Tout à fait d'accord

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

7 - Tout à fait d'accord

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

7 - Tout à fait d'accord

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

7 - Tout à fait d'accord

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

7 - Tout à fait d'accord

06.08 Justification

Unlike the old linear economy which has a "take-make-dispose" structure, our circular and regenerative model focuses on optimizing resource utilization, minimizing waste, and fostering sustainable food production with an aim to keep supply chain in a closed loop of maximizing product life. Our circular economy model reduces waste build up preventing pollution and preserves vital nutrients by recycling organic waste- crop residues, food scraps, livestock and market waste. This regenerative system helps to eliminate waste & pollution, higher resilience to climate change, increased biodiversity, improved soil health, increased food security for our ever-growing population and improved financial gains for smallholder farmers in Western Kenya.

06.09 Analyse compétitive

We mainly face competition from Yara EA Limited and Elgon Kenya Ltd who are bigger companies with a wide distribution network targeting large scale farmers whereas our eco-friendly organic fertilizer and regenerative systems targets smallholder farmers in Western Kenya struggling with striga weed and low production per acreage due to poor quality soils. Unlike synthetic fertilizer that deposits excess nitrogen leading to acidic soils and increased greenhouse gas emissions, we have developed a system that enhances circularity and sustainability, improved soil health, boosts biodiversity, and strengthens climate resilience. Our circular and regenerative system of production involves elimination of dependency on synthetic fertilizer and agrochemicals which increase costs of production hence digging into profits. Adoption of our systems and methods of production therefore increases profitability and general farmers' economy.

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

We offer free training, mentorship and apprenticeship opportunities to women interested in agriculture and climate action. We do this through sharing our own experiences to offer advice on specific challenges they are facing. We help them connect with their peers, through networking events, online platforms, collaborate a project so that they can learn from each other. For those in practice, we support them by buying and marketing their products, what we don't produce at our farm.