NURU® - Climate-smart Crop Bio-enhancers (CCBs)

We are addressing the challenge of decreased crop productivity among smallholder food crop farmers in Tanzania, stemming from the adverse impacts of climate change on agricultural soils, prolonged dependence on synthetic inputs, and the high costs associated with these inputs.

Smallholder farmers are experiencing significant decline in productivity of up to 25% across various agro-ecological zones, largely attributed to the detrimental effects of climate change on soil quality. This challenge is exacerbated by the persistent use of chemical fertilizers, raising farms' carbon footprints and rendering soils unsustainable for future cultivation. Moreover, the high prices of inputs, limits farmers access toss to the resource needed for production. 

These intertwined issues confront small holder farmers, the group that plays a pivotal role in the nation's food security, contributing over 70% of our food supply and accounting for more than 35% of the nation's GDP. Tanzania has approximately 10 million active smallholder farmers, the ramifications of this challenge extend beyond economic concerns to encompass the welfare of millions of individuals. 

The persistence of these challenges jeopardizes both the nation's food security and the well-being of farmers, underscoring the urgent need for interventions such as our Climate Smart Crop Bio-Enhancer.

YaKwetu Biotech has developed an innovative bio-formulation strategy aimed at enhancing the growth and resilience of local crops. We employ a process that fortifies beneficial bacteria strains, derived from indigenous sources, with nutrient-rich carriers obtained from organic waste materials. This unique approach serves to stimulate nutrient absorption and assimilation in crops, bolster disease resistance, and improve overall crop quality.

Through screening, we identify indigenous bacteria strains that exhibit traits conducive to promoting crop growth. These selected strains are then integrated with nutrient carriers derived from organic waste, either in liquid or solid form. This synergistic combination enables us to create proprietary Climate-smart Crop Bio-enhancers (CCBs) that leverage the strengths of both components. 

The bacterial component of our formulation enhances plants' ability to tolerate climate stress by facilitating nutrient absorption and assimilation, as well as by providing protection against diseases. Meanwhile, the nutrient-rich carriers derived from waste materials supply crops with the essential macro and micronutrients necessary for optimal growth, especially in challenging climatic conditions. 

Our flagship product, NURU® bio-formulation, exemplifies this approach. It combines an indigenous Rhizobium leguminosarum strain with a liquid carrier derived from fermented waste. NURU® is specifically designed for small-scale cultivation of beans, maize, carrots, cabbages, and spinach, demonstrating a remarkable increase in yield by up to 30%. 

Ours solution provides, affordable, climate and environmental friendly and effective alternatives for smallholder farmers in Tanzania.

Our solution is primarily designed to serve smallholder food crop producers in Tanzania, with the potential for scalability across the broader Eastern African region. 

This demographic faces significant challenges stemming from the intersection of climate change impacts, reliance on chemical fertilizers and the high cost of agricultural inputs. These factors render smallholder farmers highly vulnerable to extreme losses, decreased farming activity, reduced income, and overall diminished livelihoods. 

By targeting this specific group, our bio-formulation solution aims to address these pressing challenges and positively impact their lives in several ways. 

Firstly, our formulations are specifically formulated to boost crop productivity (yield and quality), thereby helping farmers overcome the obstacles posed by climate change, soil degradation, and other environmental stressors. This increased productivity not only safeguards against potential losses but also provides opportunities for enhanced income generation. 

Moreover, our solution is cost-effective, hence accessible to smallholder farmers who may struggle with the financial burden of existing conventional agricultural inputs. By offering an affordable alternative, we are empowering farmers to improve their production practices sustainably, thereby enhancing their economic resilience and livelihoods. 

Additionally, our bio-formulations support farmers in adapting to the impact of climate change on their soils by promoting soil health and resilience. This holistic approach not only improves current agricultural practices but also contributes to long-term environmental sustainability.

Our team at YaKwetu Biotech is deeply entrenched in the agricultural fabric of Tanzania, where nearly one in every five families relies on farming as their primary economic activity. Our team lead, drawing from personal experiences growing up in a family of small-scale farmers, has firsthand knowledge of the challenges posed by climate change on agricultural livelihoods. This upbringing instilled a passion for community empowerment, igniting a drive to develop solutions that address the pressing needs of farmers. 

Similarly, other team members hail from farming communities in the Morogoro and Mwanza regions of Tanzania, where they encountered the hurdles faced by farmers on a daily basis. This shared background not only informs our understanding of farmers' challenges but also shapes our approach to product development, marketing, and pricing strategies. 

Our commitment to serving the needs of farmers is reflected in our cost-effective offerings, which are meticulously designed to align with the economic realities and livelihoods of our target population. By ensuring affordability, we aim to make our solutions accessible to smallholder farmers, empowering them to improve their agricultural practices sustainably. 

Moreover, we recognize the importance of cultural resonance in building trust and rapport with the communities we serve. That's why we name our product formulas using local names that reflect community values, fostering a sense of connection and solidarity with farmers. This approach not only demonstrates our understanding of their challenges but also affirms our commitment to honoring their cultural heritage. 

Furthermore, we actively engage farmers in the development of application rates, leveraging their extensive indigenous knowledge to optimize the effectiveness of our solutions in real-world farming contexts. By valuing and incorporating their insights, we ensure that our products are tailored to meet the unique needs and preferences of the communities we serve.

 In essence, our team's deep roots in farming communities, coupled with our inclusive and culturally sensitive approach, position us as trusted partners in delivering impactful solutions that uplift the livelihoods of smallholder farmers across Tanzania.

We have developed and rigorously tested our bio-formulas in various regions of Tanzania, including Dar es Salaam, Morogoro, Tanga, and Unguja. These formulations have been assessed by testing users and early adopters within these communities, resulting in positive feedback and tangible improvements in crop productivity and soil health. To date, we have served 12 clients who have directly benefited from our solutions. These clients, located in different regions across Tanzania, have experienced firsthand the positive impact of our bio-formulas on their farming practices.

We are applying to Solve because we believe in the power of collaboration and collective action to address complex challenges facing smallholder farmers in Tanzania. 

While we have made significant progress in developing and testing our bio-formulas, we recognize that there are still barriers hindering the widespread adoption and scalability of our solutions. Specifically, we face several barriers across financial, technical, and market dimensions:

Financial: Securing adequate funding to scale our operations and reach more smallholder farmers is a critical challenge. We require financial support to invest in research and development, optimize production processes, and expand our distribution networks.

Technical: Enhancing the technical aspects of our solutions, such as optimizing application methods, improving formulation efficiency, and ensuring product consistency, requires specialized expertise and resources.

Market: Penetrating new markets and establishing partnerships with key stakeholders, such as agricultural cooperatives, government agencies, and NGOs, is essential for reaching a broader audience and maximizing our impact.

We believe that Solve can help us overcome these barriers by connecting us with strategic partners who can provide both monetary and non-monetary support. 

Through Solve's network of experts, investors, and philanthropic organizations, we hope to access resources, expertise, and mentorship opportunities that will enable us to scale our operations effectively. Moreover, Solve's emphasis on collaboration aligns with our philosophy of community-driven innovation.

Our innovative approach to tackling agricultural challenges stemming from climate change impacts on agri-soils lies in our novel bio-formulation strategy, which combines indigenous bacteria and waste-derived nutrient carriers to create Climate-smart Crop Bio-enhancers (CCBs). This strategy stands out significantly improving crop yield and quality in climate change affected soils. 

By leveraging indigenous bacteria, stimulates higher plant nutrient absorption, disease resistance, and temperature tolerance. The bacteria enable plants to thrive despite climate stresses, crop health and productivity. Complementing this, our waste-derived nutrient carriers, currently in liquid form, engineered from selected waste materials provides a sustainable source of essential macro and micronutrients. A synergistic effect exists as the bacteria accelerate nutrient release from the carriers, enabling higher effectiveness of the bio-formulation.

Our solution's impact extends beyond mere productivity gains. In communities across Tanzania, where climate change threatens agricultural viability, our bio-enhancers offer a lifeline. Their unique formulation delivers superior results in climate-affected soils, empowering farmers to adapt and thrive amidst environmental challenges. Four distinct advantages set our solution apart in the market landscape.

Firstly, its efficacy is unparalleled due to the synergistic interaction between its active components. Secondly, it is highly cost-effective, as it utilizes inexpensive waste-derived nutrient carriers. Thirdly, its eco-friendliness ensures minimal environmental impact, avoiding the harmful residues associated with chemical fertilizers. Finally, its climate smartness equips farmers with resilience against climate change-induced soil degradation and nutrient depletion.

Our innovation lays the foundation for sustainable agricultural practices, bolstering food security and climate resilience among smallholder farmers throughout Tanzania. Aligned with the African Sustainable Development Agenda 2030 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, our approach not only addresses immediate challenges but also fosters long-term prosperity and environmental stewardship. By empowering farmers with innovative bio-formulations, we are not only enhancing crop yields but also safeguarding ecosystems and livelihoods for generations to come.

YaKwetu Biotech's innovative bio-formulation strategy presents a transformative pathway for smallholder farmers in Tanzania. By harnessing indigenous bacteria strains and nutrient-rich carriers from organic waste, our approach catalyzes a series of positive agricultural outcomes.  Firstly, the integration of beneficial bacteria strains with organic carriers stimulates nutrient absorption and assimilation in crops. This process enhances crop resilience and bolsters disease resistance, resulting in improved overall crop quality. Secondly, by specifically targeting indigenous bacteria strains with traits conducive to promoting crop growth, we ensure the formulation's efficacy in local agricultural contexts. Thirdly, the synergistic combination of these components in our flagship product, NURU®, exemplifies the potential for significant yield increases, up to 30%, in key crops like beans, maize, carrots, cabbages, and spinach. Ultimately, our solution provides affordable, climate-smart, and environmentally friendly alternatives for smallholder farmers, thereby contributing to food security, economic empowerment, and sustainable agriculture in Tanzania.

YaKwetu Biotech is committed to driving meaningful change in the agricultural sector by focusing on the social and economic well-being of smallholder farmers while fostering climate resilience and environmental sustainability. To achieve our mission, we have outlined specific impact goals and devised robust metrics to evaluate our progress across various dimensions.

Cost Reduction in Crop Production: Our primary objective is to offer cost-effective solutions that alleviate the financial burden on farmers. By providing affordable alternatives compared to conventional methods, we aim to reduce the overall expenditure required for inputs in crop production. We track progress by quantifying the percentage reduction in input costs per hectare of farmland.

Income Generation for Smallholder Farmers: Through the enhancement of crop yields and quality, our solution empowers smallholder farmers to generate higher incomes. We measure progress by monitoring the increase in farmers' earnings over time, particularly from the sale of improved-quality produce in local and regional markets.

Reduction of Chemical/Synthetic Fertilizer Use: As part of our commitment to sustainable agriculture, we aim to reduce the reliance on harmful chemical inputs. Progress is assessed by quantifying the reduction in the application of chemical fertilizers per hectare of farmland, signaling a transition towards more environmentally friendly farming practices.

Soil Health Restoration and Conservation:  Our solution incorporates beneficial microbes to enhance soil health and fertility. Progress is evaluated by analyzing key soil micro-biome parameters, including microbial diversity, abundance, and activity. By fostering a thriving soil micro-biome, we promote soil structure, nutrient cycling, and overall ecosystem resilience, laying the foundation for sustainable agricultural practices.

Utilization of Waste and GHG Mitigation: In line with our commitment to environmental stewardship, we strive to utilize waste materials in our bio-enhancers while mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. Progress is measured by tracking the volume of waste utilized in our products and estimating the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions associated with waste decomposition. By repurposing waste materials and reducing emissions, we contribute to resource efficiency and climate change mitigation efforts.

Through diligent monitoring of these key indicators, we aim to ensure that our solutions drive positive impacts on the socio-economic well-being of farmers, the environmental sustainability of agricultural systems, and the resilience of communities in the face of climate change.

Our solution harnesses the power of Microbial Biotechnology to address agricultural challenges, particularly in climate-stressed regions. At the core of our technology is a fusion of innovative approaches, including genomic analysis, bioinformatics, advanced chemical profiling, microbial fermentation, and biological formulation.

We employ genomic and bioinformatics analysis to identify genes associated with growth-promoting traits within indigenous bacteria strains. This screening process allows us to select the most promising strains for our bio-enhancer formulations, ensuring their effectiveness in improving crop yields and resilience.

We leverage advanced chemical profiling techniques to analyze waste materials for their nutrient-carrying potential. By identifying valuable nutrients within waste streams, we transform these materials into sustainable nutrient carriers for our bio-enhancers, reducing waste and promoting circular economy principles.

Microbial fermentation plays a crucial role in activating the nutrient content within waste materials, enhancing their efficacy as carriers for beneficial microbes. Through carefully controlled fermentation processes, we optimize nutrient availability and microbial activity, maximizing the impact of our bio-enhancers on crop health and productivity.

Our approach culminates in the biological formulation of our climate-smart bio-enhancers, where indigenous bacteria cultures are combined synergistically with nutrient-rich waste carriers. This integrated formulation strategy ensures that the active components interact positively, enhancing their collective efficacy in supporting plant growth and resilience.

In summary, we are creating Bacteria and Waste Bio-formulation Technology, driven by modern microbial biotechnology principles. By leveraging cutting-edge techniques and interdisciplinary approaches, we aim to revolutionize agricultural practices and empower smallholder farmers to thrive in the face of climate change.

Our solution team consists of 2 full-time staff, 2 part-time staff, and 3 contracted workers.

The full-time members are;

• David William Kazuguri (Co-founder and CEO)
• Anold Crispin Ndaro (Co-founder and Bio-process and Research Director)

Part-time members are;

• Jackson Steven Mluge (Co-founder and Marketing Director)
• Elishukuru Patrick Mande (Finance and Partnerships Associate)

Additionally, we have established Agri-Bacteria Development Unit (BDU) at the Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology of the University of Dar es Salaam, which consists of microbiology research students.

• Maria Matei (Research Associate – Efficacy Assessment)
• John Mbaga (Research Associate – Bacteria Screening and Development)
• Nancy Kyungai (Research Associate – Product Formulation)

We have been working on our solution from April 2022, to date, making a total number of two years.

YaKwetu Biotech prioritizes diversity, inclusion, and breaking down barriers to opportunity for all team members. Our commitment is evident in our diverse team composition, with approximately 40% women/female and 60% men/male, reflecting our dedication to gender diversity. Moreover, our team members hail from various ethnicities in Tanzania, underscoring our commitment to embracing diversity in all its forms.

To ensure inclusivity, we've established specific diversity and inclusion targets, striving for a gender-balanced team with a 50/50 ratio. Additionally, we foster an environment where every individual feels empowered to express their identities authentically, free from limitations or biases.

We actively minimize barriers to opportunity by providing equal access to resources, opportunities regardless of gender, ethnicity, or background. Our inclusive culture is reinforced through ongoing training, open dialogue, and inclusive policies that promote respect, understanding, and collaboration among all team members.

By championing diversity and inclusion in our team we not only enrich the team dynamics but also cultivate innovation, creativity, and success within and beyond.

We’ve build our business model to cater to the diverse needs of our customers and beneficiaries, which include individual smallholder farmers, farmer groups, government projects, and agricultural supporting NGOs and CBOs. Recognizing the unique socio-economic and cultural contexts of each group, we design tailored solutions to address their specific challenges and priorities. Whether it's providing affordable access to our flagship product, NURU®, or offering personalized services through the Kijani Plan®, our goal is to empower farmers and organizations with the tools and knowledge they need to thrive in their respective environments.

Central to our approach is our distribution strategy, which revolves around resident agents deeply embedded within farming communities. These agents serve as trusted liaisons, bridging the gap between our innovative solutions and the end-users. By leveraging their local knowledge and relationships, we not only ensure efficient access to our products and services but also cultivate meaningful connections with our target market. This grassroots approach not only fosters trust and credibility but also enables us to stay attuned to the evolving needs and preferences of farmers on the ground.

Our value proposition revolves around addressing the pressing challenges posed by climate change on soil health and agricultural productivity. Through NURU® and the Kijani Plan®, we offer holistic solutions that go beyond mere product offerings. By enhancing nutrient absorption, improving soil micro-biome, and boosting overall crop quality and yield, we empower farmers to mitigate the impacts of climate change while promoting sustainable agricultural practices. Moreover, our commitment to affordability and environmental friendliness ensures that our solutions are not only effective but also accessible and eco-conscious, aligning with the values and priorities of our customers and beneficiaries.

During our pre-seed and seed stages, we've utilized two primary revenue generation approaches. In the pre-seed stage, we secured financing through grants and competition prizes, including over $15,000 from events like MAKISATU 2022 and the Adaptation and Resilience Climate Accelerator Tanzania. These funds have been instrumental in supporting our research and development efforts, as well as establishing pilot facilities. 

As we transitioned into the seed stage, our revenue model shifted towards generating income through the sale of our flagship product, NURU®, facilitated by resident agents, along with our customized service offering, Kijani Plan®. This dual approach has allowed us to not only fund our operations but also to begin generating revenue while furthering our mission of promoting sustainable agricultural practices.