Malawi - Startup under 3 years old

Décrivez votre projet en quelques mots

Nuru Solutions Empowers Farmers with Innovative PayGo Solar Irrigation Embedded with insurance and real-time data for Climate Resilience

01.01 Décrivez votre startup en détail

Sub-Saharan African farmers experience high vulnerability to climate shocks due to limited access to irrigation infrastructure; limited access to farm diagnostics insights and insurance. Nuru Solutions provides farmers with access to affordable and sustainable clean technology solutions tailored to their needs. Our flagship offering includes PayGo solar irrigation systems equipped with precision farming capabilities, enabling efficient water usage and optimized crop yields. Additionally, we offer comprehensive training and data support to enhance farmers' agronomic practices and mitigate climate risks. Embedded insurance further safeguards farmers' investments, ensuring resilience against adverse weather conditions and crop failure. Our solution addresses the critical needs of small-scale farmers by combining technology, financial services, and data-driven insights. This integrated approach not only improves agricultural productivity and enhances climate resilience.

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

Nuru Solutions addresses the interconnected issues of climate change and food insecurity through innovative agricultural technology and financial inclusion. Climate change leads to unpredictable weather patterns, which directly impact crop yields and farmers' ability to sustain their livelihoods. This unpredictability increases the risk of food insecurity, as inconsistent harvests cannot reliably feed communities or generate sufficient income. African farmers are more vulnerable to these challenges due to a lack of irrigation infrastructure, real-time and predictive data, and agricultural insurance.

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).

Solar irrigation systems mitigate the impact of climate variability by providing a reliable water source, critical for consistent crop production. By optimizing water usage, these systems help farmers maintain steady yields despite changing climate conditions. This directly addresses food insecurity by ensuring that communities have access to a stable food supply. The embedded insurance and data services offer farmers financial protection and valuable insights to make informed decisions. This financial inclusion aspect is crucial for building resilience against both climate and non-climate induced risks that affect crop productivity. When farmers are insured, they can recover more quickly from adverse weather events and risks e.g. pests and diseases, reducing the long-term impact on their productivity and income. PayGo Model: Our flexible payment model enables farmers to access cutting-edge technology without the burden of upfront costs, fostering inclusivity and affordability.

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

The primary beneficiaries of Nuru Solutions are small-scale crop production farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa who depend on agriculture as the main source of livelihood but are highly vulnerable to climate variability and financial instability. Small-Scale Farmers: These farmers, often operating on less than two hectares of land, will benefit from improved irrigation infrastructure, crop insurance, and access to real-time farming data. This will enhance their productivity, financial stability, and climate resilience. Women Farmers: Given that women constitute the majority of the agricultural workforce in Africa, our solution prioritizes inclusivity. Women farmers will have equal access to our services, helping to bridge gender gaps in agricultural productivity and financial inclusion. Local Communities: By increasing the productivity and resilience of small-scale farmers, our solution will contribute to food security and economic development in local communities.

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

17/04/2024

01.06 Vendez-vous déjà votre produit/service ?

Non

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

1

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.).

Agnes Kanjala is a social impact enthusiast with over a decade of experience leveraging agriculture and financial technologies to uplift underserved communities. As the former Director of Expansion at Pula Advisors, an innovative insurtech company, Agnes focused on launching new countries and piloting new initiatives across Africa and Asia. She previously managed the company’s large-scale countries overseeing teams of 1,000+ with a portfolio of $20mn+ in Nigeria, Kenya, Zambia, Malawi, and Zimbabwe. Before her role at Pula Advisors, Agnes contributed to new product design & innovation at Zoona, one of the pioneers of financial technology in Malawi and Zambia. She supported the set up of One Acre Fund Malawi, now serving over 100k+ farmers where she held several leadership roles. She served as a 2019 YALI Business Fellow in the US under the US Department of State - Mandela Washington Fellowship, obtained an MBA at ALU Rwanda, and holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture.

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://www.nuru.solutions/

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

Énergie (équipements, services, énergie durable et fossiles)

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

1 - pas du tout d'accord

02.01.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

Economic Empowerment through Increased Agricultural Productivity: Nuru Solutions enhances agricultural productivity by providing PayGo solar irrigation systems, which ensure a reliable source of water for crops. This mitigates the adverse effects of climate variability, leading to consistent and improved crop yields. Higher productivity directly translates to increased income for small-scale farmers, helping them rise above the poverty line. Financial Inclusion through Embedded Insurance: Crop insurance provides a safety net for farmers against climate-induced crop failures. This financial protection reduces the vulnerability of farmers to economic shocks, enabling them to recover quickly from adverse events and maintain a stable income which is vital for breaking the cycle of poverty and building long-term financial stability.

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

1 - pas du tout d'accord

02.02.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

Nuru Solutions contributes to SDG 2 by enhancing food security, improving nutrition, and promoting sustainable agriculture through innovative technology and services for small-scale farmers. Our PayGo solar irrigation systems ensure efficient water usage and consistent crop yields, combating food insecurity. Embedded insurance and real-time data services protect farmers from climate-induced risks, allowing stable food production. Training programs empower farmers with knowledge of sustainable practices, optimizing resources, and increasing productivity. By focusing on vulnerable populations and promoting gender equality, Nuru ensures inclusive and resilient agricultural development, improving nutrition and livelihoods in rural communities.

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

Nuru Solutions indirectly supports good health by reducing the vulnerability of farmers to climate shocks and improving their economic stability. Access to reliable irrigation systems and insurance coverage helps mitigate health risks associated with food insecurity and poverty.

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

3

02.04.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

Quality Education: While Nuru Solutions provides training and support programs for farmers, our activities are more aligned with agricultural skills development rather than promoting broader educational opportunities for all ages and sectors as outlined in SDG 4.

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

Nuru Solutions promotes gender equality by designing inclusive services that cater to the specific needs of women farmers. Our embedded insurance products address the risks faced by women in agriculture, thereby promoting their financial stability and empowerment.

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

3

02.06.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

Clean Water and Sanitation: While efficient water usage is promoted through our irrigation systems, Nuru Solutions' direct impact on broader water management issues and sanitation access beyond agricultural activities is limited.

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

By providing PayGo solar irrigation systems, Nuru Solutions promotes access to affordable and clean energy for farming activities. This reduces reliance on fossil fuels and traditional irrigation methods, contributing to sustainable energy practices.

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

The startup supports economic growth by enhancing agricultural productivity and profitability for small-scale farmers. By providing access to technology, training, and financial services, Nuru Solutions creates opportunities for decent work and livelihood improvement in rural communities.

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

2

02.09.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

Nuru Solutions fosters innovation by integrating IoT and data analytics into agricultural practices. Our approach contributes to building resilient infrastructure and promoting sustainable industrialization in the agriculture sector.

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

3

02.10.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

Reduced Inequalities: Nuru Solutions aims to empower marginalized groups, including women farmers, through their services. However, our impact on reducing inequalities within and among countries is more localized to the agricultural sector and may not directly influence broader inequalities across different sectors or nations.

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

1 - pas du tout d'accord

02.11.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

Sustainable Cities and Communities: Nuru Solutions' activities are primarily rural-focused, aiming to improve resilience and productivity in farming communities. Our impact on urban or peri-urban sustainability and resilience is not a direct focus of their current operations.

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

1 - pas du tout d'accord

02.12.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

Responsible Consumption and Production: While Nuru Solutions promotes sustainable agriculture practices, our focus is more on enhancing productivity and resilience rather than addressing broader issues of consumption patterns and circular economy principles across sectors

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

Nuru Solutions directly addresses climate action by promoting climate-resilient farming practices and technologies. Our solutions help farmers adapt to climate change impacts, such as erratic rainfall patterns and droughts, thereby contributing to climate resilience in agriculture.

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

Nuru Solutions operates within the agricultural sector, specifically focused on land-based activities such as farming and irrigation. Our activities do not involve marine resources or ecosystems, and thus they do not directly contribute to sustainable development concerning oceans, seas, or marine life.

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

1 -pas du tout d'accord

02.15.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

While Nuru Solutions promotes sustainable land use through agricultural practices, our initiatives do not directly involve forest management, desertification combat, or biodiversity conservation efforts beyond agricultural lands.

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

Nuru Solutions' primary focus is on agricultural technology and financial inclusion for small-scale farmers. While indirectly contributing to stability and economic resilience in rural communities, our core activities do not directly address issues related to peace, justice, or institutional development at various levels.

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

Nuru Solutions collaborates with various stakeholders including farmers, financial institutions, and development organizations to achieve its mission. These partnerships are essential for scaling impact and achieving sustainable development goals collaboratively.

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

5

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

1 - Pas du tout d'accord

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

3

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

5

06.08 Justification

Integrated Approach: Unlike others, Nuru Solutions provides an integrated solution that combines PayGo solar irrigation systems with embedded insurance and real-time data services. This holistic approach addresses multiple challenges faced by farmers, including water scarcity, financial risk, and lack of actionable data. Embedded Insurance: Our unique inclusion of embedded insurance within the irrigation systems offers a crucial safety net for farmers, protecting them against climate-induced crop failures. This aspect of our solution is not commonly provided by other organizations.

06.09 Analyse compétitive

Our main competitors are; 1. SunCulture: A leading provider of solar-powered irrigation solutions in Africa. 2. Futurepump: Offers solar irrigation pumps targeting smallholder farmers. 3. Husk Power Systems: Provides renewable energy solutions, including solar irrigation, to rural communities in emerging markets. The following are the key factors that differentiate us; Comprehensive Solutions: Nuru Solutions offers an integrated platform that combines solar irrigation, precision farming, training, and insurance, providing a one-stop solution to farmers' needs. Flexibility: Our PayGo model and flexible payment options make our solutions accessible to smallholder farmers, addressing affordability barriers. Data-driven Insights: We prioritize data analytics and insights, empowering farmers with actionable information to optimize their farming practices and maximize yields. Target Market; We target small scale farmers with 2-6 acres of land while our competitor's target <2 acres

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

Yes, part-time, I consult for venture builders and support programs where I support entrepreneurs with venture support, coaching, mentorship, and advise. So far, I have consulted for the US Embassy AWE program, Delta-40, IFC