Moringa Oleifera Nutritional Supplement
Promoting sustainable economic growth and reducing poverty are challenges Africa shares with all developing countries. It is widely recognized that increasing production and productivity, facilitating information exchange and business transactions, ICT is a key driver for development. It is for this community that Dago Network Youth Group began this initiative.
About You
Section 1: About You
Section 2: About Your Organization
Is your initiative connected to an established organization?
Yes
Organization Name
DAGO NETWORK YOUTH GROUP
Organization Website
Organization Phone
+254 - 572502710,+254-202443835,+254-722731453
Organization Address
P.O.BOX 3917-40100, KISUMU
Organization Country
Kenya, NY
Is your organization a
Non‐profit/NGO/citizen sector organization
How long has this organization been operating?
1‐5 years
Your idea
Name Your Project
Moringa Oleifera Nutritional Supplement
Describe your Social Enterprise
Promoting sustainable economic growth and reducing poverty are challenges Africa shares with all developing countries. It is widely recognized that increasing production and productivity, facilitating information exchange and business transactions, ICT is a key driver for development. It is for this community that Dago Network Youth Group began this initiative.
Country your work focuses on
Kenya
Innovation
What makes your innovation unique?
There are many unique traits of Moringa Oleifera, primarily the enormous vitamins that can not be found in any other vegetable, fruit or medicinal plants. One needs to combine all the nutritious fruits and vegetables to equal the vitamins found in Moringa. It is like growing multivitamins on your doorsteps.
Do you have a patent for this idea?
Yes
Impact
This Entry is about (Issues)
Tell us about the social impact of your innovation. Please include both numbers and stories as evidence of this impact
The Moringa Oleifera products have a positive impact on the physical well being of consumers and on poverty alleviation through creation of employment. This project complements the Govt. green program through the massive planting of Moringa Trees. The Moringa enriched porridge flour (AFYA UJI MIX) has won various awards including National Youth Enterprise Award 2007(KICC NAIROBI), in June 2008 and the Sukuma Afrika young entrepreneurship Award (CAPE TOWN SOUTH AFRICA). In January 2009 the Dago Network Youth Group was among the finalists of the Business in Development Network BID NETWORK. We were able to present our Business plan in Rotterdam The Netherlands and were among the finalists in the BID NATURE CHALLENGE AWARD 2008. Apart from the African Awards and International awards, the product has made an impact in the local market. We have received several contracts to supply the flour to National NGOs, Govt. hospitals and Orphanages in the Western apart of the Kenya. The product is sold in the local shops in western Kenya and 5 Supermarkets in Kisumu City among others. Our production has increased by 50% from our original 5000kg per day to over 7500 per day however we cannot cope with the national demand of our product.
Problem: Describe the primary problem(s) that your innovation is addressing
Malnutrition: Moringa leaf powder can be added to rice, grains, sources, in fact anything at all. For children suffering from malnutrition and other health problems, spoonful should be added to their diet three times a day. The pods are also eaten. They should be cut into short pieces and eaten as green beans. When they are bigger, boil them and scoop out the seeds and flesh when they are big and old, just use the seeds – called moringa peas. Fry them in oil and eat as nuts. The roots taste similar to horse radish. Moringa flowers are a source of good honey. 2 .Oil: Moringa oil can be used: a)For cooking. It is as nutritionally valuable as olive oil. The oil is slow to turn rancid and is excellent in salads. b)For lubricating delicate mechanisms. c) For soap – making d) As a base for cosmetics 3. Use for other diseases: Research shows that most of the plant parts, including roots, bark, stem, leaf, flower and pods, are used medically in many countries: a)The leaves cure diarrhea, anemia and ulcers. b)For diabetes, tea made from the leaves is drunk several times a day.
Actions: Describe the steps that you are taking to make your innovation a success. Include a description of the business model. What might prevent that success?
Within the period of two to three years we aim to increase the income by 50% of two or three villages with around 2000 people. We will be providing indirect employment by absorbing their produce of raw materials harvested in their yards and farms. They will greatly benefit in planting and harvesting of the different Moringa produce, and generate income without having to go anywhere or migrate into urban areas.
Results: Describe the expected results of these actions over the next three years. Please address each year separately, if possible
Judging on the present status of our products being the sole producer of Moringa porridge flour, within a year’s time, our target market of region wide consumers will expand and grow. The planned sole factory for production will not be adequate to accommodate the markets demand.
How many people will your project serve annually?
More than 10,000
What is the average monthly household income in your target community, in US Dollars?
Less than $50
Does your innovation seek to have an impact on public policy?
Yes
If your innovation seeks to impact public policy, how?
This project complements the Govt. green program through the massive planting of Moringa Trees.
Sustainability
What stage is your Social Enterprise in?
Operating for 1‐5 years
Does your organization have a board of directors or an advisory board?
Yes
Does your organization have a non monetary partnerships with NGOs?
Yes
Does your organization have a non monetary partnerships with businesses?
Yes
Does your organization have a non monetary partnerships with government?
Yes
Please tell us more about how partnerships could be critical to the success of your Social Enterprise
Our partner, OGRA Foundation is dedicated to promoting health, education, socioeconomic and cultural development in Kenya and maximizing targeted support to orphans and vulnerable children. Working together we can secure the success of the DAGO Network Youth Group as part of a wider programme of youth and orphan training programs. Together we support micro-finance initiatives and other programs dedicated to both relieving human suffering and creating sustainable livelihoods. In partnership we can maximise the potential to replicate and scale-up these critical projects to achieve a greater impact across Western Kenya, and we seek your support in this endeavor.
We would like to learn more about how your initiative is financially supported. Please explain your business plan/revenue model
Our financial partners come from the able membership of the organization. Each member has his/her own personal funds used in the development of the products. The members are already determined to have their roles, ties and commitment with the business.
We have received support from the Ministry of Trade, Ministry of Youth Affairs, Kenya Agricultural Finance Cooperation, Kenya Industrial Estate (KIE), OGRA Foundation, Help Age Kenya, HOVIC (Hope for Victoria Kenya), Ministry of Agriculrure etc.
The Story
What was the defining moment that led you to this innovation?
My grandfather was the brain behind my innovation. He was a herbalist in my rural village. He knew the secrets of many medicinal plants. When we were growing up he gave us Moringa to keep us healthy. When I was older he showed me many of the herbs that he used to treat diseases. It is his memory that sustains my passion for Moringa as a nutritional health supplement.
Tell us about the person—the social innovator—behind this idea.
As the entrepreneur behind this business plan, my knowledge and experience, coupled with well-informed Dago Network Youth Group members, my active linkages with different government agencies, non-government organization (NGOs) and religious organizations, will all contribute to the operational success and continuous growth of the business. I am a young entrepreneur with an insight for rural development. I am passionate about the effective use of natural medicinal plants and environment for the benefit of the local community. I have worked in community organizations for over a decade and have realized the local community can be empowered to chart their own destiny.
How did you first hear about Changemakers?
Personal contact at Changemakers
If through another source, please provide the information
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| AFYA_UJI_MIX.jpg | 46.65 KB |
| Production.jpg | 44.49 KB |
| LPO.jpg | 155.61 KB |
| Packaging.jpg | 13.72 KB |
| Packaging.jpg | 13.72 KB |
 | 102 weeks agoJohn Odeyo updated this Competition Entry. |
| 103 weeks agoJohn Odeyo submitted this idea. |
