New entry
The project’s objective is to add value to the efforts and increase the rural income of 400 rural small holder cassava
Farmers (mostly women) in selected agro-ecological zones of 8 autonomous communities in Abia, Imo, Cross River, Delta
, Benue and Kogi states of Nigeria. The project will address the critical need for 8 operational processing factories and a
management service training facility, that will support new company start-ups , train and transfer technical skills to these
rural poor farmers, so as to enable them transform into associated supply chain Companies that consistently supply these
processing factories with quality farm produce
About You
About You
First Name
okezie
Last Name
ogbonna
About Your Organization
Organization Name
GIANNIS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED RC:: 697704
Organization Website
Organization Phone
+233248953272
Organization Address
77 Marine Road, Apapa, Lagos
Organization Country
Nigeria, AB
Country where this project is creating social impact
Nigeria, AB
Is your organization a
For‐profit
How long has your organization been operating?
1‐5 years
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Innovation
Entry Form title
New entry
Describe your project
The project’s objective is to add value to the efforts and increase the rural income of 400 rural small holder cassava
Farmers (mostly women) in selected agro-ecological zones of 8 autonomous communities in Abia, Imo, Cross River, Delta
, Benue and Kogi states of Nigeria. The project will address the critical need for 8 operational processing factories and a
management service training facility, that will support new company start-ups , train and transfer technical skills to these
rural poor farmers, so as to enable them transform into associated supply chain Companies that consistently supply these
processing factories with quality farm produce
What stage is your project in?
Operating for 1‐5 years
What makes your project unique as it relates to the theme of this competition?
The project will provide these energy poor smallholder farmers access to complementary alternative energy products as a
way to mitigate the prevalent power outage they experience through the effective and efficient mechanism of distributing
modern, clean and safe non-fossil based quick and easy to install 68 x 50 x 1866 mm solar shed lights for tents and
outhouses, whole set off-grid solar Home system units from 100-1000 watts and other lighting solutions. This distribution
scheme, which will be facilitated by selected Rural finance institutions, will contribute to expand productive time, improve
working conditions and enhance safety and security at work places
Share the story of the founder and what inspired the founder to start this project
My full name is Okezie Nnamdi Ogbonna, with entry to the competition for the West African Monetary Zone (WAMZ) common currency competition launched in April 2001 by the West African Monetary Institute (WAMI) ref no: WAMI/OP/SO/CR/04/02 , with the name ECO along with 78 others chosen as the name of the West African Monetary Zone –The zone www.wami-imao.org common currency .
The WAMZ -The Special Economic Zone (SEZ) with a core mandate to create a common market in the mould of the EURO Zone in a bid to enhance the economic welfare of the citizens of the Zone.
SIX PARTICPIPATING COUNTRIES-
WEST AFRICAN MONETARY ZONE (WAMZ)
NIGERIA
GHANA
LIBERIA
SIERRA LEONE
GUINEA
THE GAMBIA
Social Impact
This Entry is about (Issues)
Who or what (i.e. youth, women, environment, etc.) benefits from your project, and why is your project critical?
This project will improve the economic status of 400 rural smallholder women farmers, whose income falls below $2 per
day and create additional 2,400 new jobs for the teaming youths in 8 autonomous communities for a period of 3 years.
This communities will benefit from improved supply of farm produce through training in modern farming techniques from
extension service programs that will be provided by the Agricultural research institute Umudike,and gain access to basic
business development and management capacity and corporate training programs. These programs will equip them in
their roles as supply chain companies and as marketing/distribution personnel who will set up direct to consumer retail
outlets in local markets around communities. The project will develop linkage prog
Please describe how your project has been successful and how that success is measured.
The project will develop the PIESERV MARKETING NETWORK-This networks unique market penetration and control
approach will leverage on local knowledge and social capital gained to access market intelligence and build legitimacy in
the eyes of the rural communities. It will develop efficient new markets that capture the cost benefit of the poor through an
innovative response-based distribution system that engages the local supply chain to set up direct to consumer-retail
outlets in identified rural markets. Selling through this network cuts out excess distribution costs while delivering
customer’s satisfaction and value, the role of the middlemen is invariably eliminated and poor consumers pay less in the
form of lower prices for commodities. Partnerships developed so far to build these networks have worked on the basis of
mutual trust and benefits, this shows that creating convergence between different activities, working together and using
infrastructures for example, the\" NEWSHOP TRAINING FACILITY CENTRE\" with a day care unit for trainee nursing
mothers, whether developed by the Public or Private sector for the benefit of all removes disenchantments and distrusts
How many people have been impacted by your project?
101 - 1,000
How many people could be impacted by your project in the next three years?
101‐1000
What barriers might hinder the success of your project and how do you plan to overcome them?
Without grant support set parameters to consolidate the efforts of Government and other concerned stakeholders in
reducing rural poverty through the project will fall short of meeting its targeted objectives. The supplementary grants from
AECF will serve as an invaluable contribution towards generating the required financial support needed to expand the
projects potential for scalability. The grants will aid in widening the dragnet, to make provision for additional players from
related sectors to be engaged in the value chain network and in developing social infrastructures that will add value to the
standard of living in these rural communities
How will your project evolve over the next three years?
The complementary role played by Business development service providers and development partners in transforming
small holder Cassava farmers to local supply chain companies with an expanding productivity agenda requires
corresponding support if results are to be achieved on sufficient scale to eliminate poverty, unemployment, food security
and rural illiteracy. The Solagri project will demonstrate that eliminating these challenges cannot be left to governments
and international donors alone. Much of what is required to meet these challenges –new thinking, prospective business
models, man and human capital resources resides in the business community that produces and distributes these food
commodities. After the first 18 month period of project takeoff, projected earnings from
Sustainability
For each selection, please explain the financial and non-financial support from each
How do you plan to grow and/or diversify your base of support in the next three years?
The complementary role played by Business development service providers and development partners in transforming
small holder Cassava farmers to local supply chain companies with an expanding productivity agenda requires
corresponding support if results are to be achieved on sufficient scale to eliminate poverty, unemployment, food security
and rural illiteracy. The Solagri project will demonstrate that eliminating these challenges cannot be left to governments
and international donors alone. Much of what is required to meet these challenges –new thinking, prospective business
models, man and human capital resources resides in the business community that produces and distributes these food
commodities. After the first 18 month period of project takeoff, projected earnings from product sales will grow and
continue to finance total expenditures. The project will enhance the firm’s reputation as social responsibility business,
build manager\'s capacity to understand poverty and leverage on gains from engagement with the informal sector, it will
increase turnover to N 425.880 (Naira) by 2012 and create additional 80 jobs. AMSCO will contribute financially to the
project by providing grants not exceeding 33% of total capacity building cost .Additional support from AMSCO includes
business linkages and networking and possible reference to potential equity and loan partners.
Collaboration
Please select your areas of intervention in the home improvement market
Design, Technology, Infrastructure, Energy conservation, Renewable energy, Green housing, Environment, Rural development.
Is your innovation addressing barriers in the home improvement/progressive housing market? If so, please describe in detail your mechanisms of intervention
Are you currently collaborating with private companies, or have you partnered with private companies in the past? With which companies?
Please describe in detail the nature of the partnership(s)
Select the unit(s) with which the partnership was formed
 | 74 weeks agookezie ogbonna updated this Competition Entry. |
| 74 weeks agookezie ogbonna submitted this idea. |
