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Phase: Community Review

PREFERRING BETTER SOLUTIONS TO AFRICAN PROBLEMS

Darsfarm aim is to make agriculture the fastest in jobs and wealth creation. Help farmers to create sales outlets and cottage processing

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I confirm that I am fully aware of the eligibility criteria, and based on its description, I am eligible to apply to the CSV Prize 2017.

  • Yes, I'm eligible

Preferred language

  • English

Organization name

DARSFIELD VILLAGE FARMS

Year founded

2015

Initiative stage

  • Established (the solution has passed the previous stages and demonstrated success)

Annual budget in 2017 (USD)

  • $250k - $500k

Number of beneficiaries impacted so far

  • 100 - 250

Organization type

  • Social enterprise

Secondary Focus Area

  • Rural development

Headquarters location: Country

  • Ghana

Headquarters location: City

NSAWAM, EASTERN REGION

Location(s) of impact

Nsawam, Akwadum, Coaltar, Aburi, Papmpamsu (Eastern Region), Tamale (Northern Region), Agbozume (Volta region) Ada & Asalaja (Greater Accra)

Website

http://www.darsfoundation.org

Facebook URL

http://www.facebook.com/darsfoundation

Twitter URL

http://www.twitter.com/darsfoundation

Problem: What problem is this initiative trying to address?

The continent of Africa especially Ghana is facing a double employment crisis; 1) A lack of jobs for the youths & women and an increasing number of youths in need of work. We are faced with high unemployment rate, 2) Increase poverty among our population 3) Lack of access into foreign markets (trade barriers) 4) Lack of transformation and innovative technology for efficiency & growth 50 Poor rural infrastructural development initiatives

Solution Summary: What is the proposed solution? What do you see as its most promising aspects for creating shared value?

Creating Employment: We believe agriculture hold the keys to prominently achieving a prosperous future for African youths. Youth unemployment is a major challenge that could be addressed through agriculture, of which agriculture is seen as offering a brighter future to younger people in Africa but especially Ghana and a way to stimulating growth in rural economy. Creating wealth: In Africa we have untapped potential for growth in agriculture agro-processing and marketing. Africans hate to trade among themselves, but we import huge of food quantity annually- • Intra regional trade (among Africans) stood at 12% as compared to trade between Africa and other continents at 65%. We would establish grocery malls in cities across Africa & Ghana as sales outlets for our members Initiate rural infrastructure development initiative by constructing pack-houses, cottage processing centers.

Impact: What is the impact of the work to date? Specify both the social and the environmental impact of your work

Impact of our projects would have seen about 413 youths and women trained in conservative organic agriculture entrepreneurship by end of 2017 and utilizing our land potentials and sustained innovative technology to creating thousands of jobs and creating tons of wealth. And increasing food production, it would enable us cultivate and harvest more for both local and international markets the followings- Fruits farming on 320 hectares and harvest 19,200 tons at the end of year Vegetable farming on 320 hectares and harvest 12,800 tons annually Medicinal herbs on 20 acres and harvest 200 tons yearly Help us establish cottage factories in food hubs in selected rural areas in addition to siting pack-houses and sheds as farmers would be assured of marketing of goods through our established grocery malls in cities of Ghana and across Africa.

Financial sustainability plan: How is this initiative financially supported? How will you ensure its financial sustainability long-term?

Retained earnings of Ghc300,000 annually. We hope to apply to Venture Capital funds and Angel financing. We intend to list our company on Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE) to raise more capital for our business. We would seek for investment partnership with others for technical and financial investment. We would participate in business plan and pitching competition but our last option is to apply for commercial bank loans.

Unique value proposition: What makes your initiative innovative? How does your project differ from other organizations working in the same field?

Provide financial inclusion for more rural youths & women in agriculture with innovative agrictech

Founding story: Share a story about the "Aha!" moment that sparked the beginning of this initiative.

I traveled through the countryside of Ghana and saw how the people in rural Ghana were living in chronic poverty coupled to the degradation of farmlands and deforestation resulting in ‘loss’ of farmland or low yield of farm produce. The trickling effect is mass unemployment, crime and poverty. I saw an opportunity in which we could apply ourr expertise in Agriculture, Engineering and Sustainable Development to assist these [predominantly farming] communities and decided to start Darsfarm, in conclusion, this project if properly implemented would generate sustainable income for members and create up to 5000 direct jobs in rural setting and this does not include the indirect jobs in rural Ghana, creating stable income and reducing poverty.

Where did you hear about the Nestlé Creating Shared Value Prize?

  • Other

Evaluation results

2 evaluations so far

1. Overall evaluation

5 - This idea rocked my world. It’s awesome! - 50%

4 - This idea seems really exciting. With a little more polishing, it’d be among my favorites. - 0%

3 - I think the idea is great, but it needs some work before it moves onto the next round. - 50%

2 - I liked it fine but preferred others. - 0%

1 - It didn’t make my heart beat faster. Needs significant revisions. - 0%

2. Innovation

5 - Absolutely, 100%! - 50%

4 - I feel really good about this - very promising - 0%

3 - This has some good elements and some areas for development - 50%

2 - This doesn’t inspire me so much - 0%

1 - This entry is weak here - 0%

3. Social and/or Environmental Impact

5 - Absolutely, 100%! - 50%

4 - I feel really good about this - very promising - 50%

3 - This has some good elements and some areas for development - 0%

2 - This doesn’t inspire me so much - 0%

1 - This entry is weak here - 0%

4. Financial sustainability

5 - Absolutely, 100%! - 100%

4 - I feel really good about this - very promising - 0%

3 - This has some good elements and some areas for development - 0%

2 - This doesn’t inspire me so much - 100%

1 - This entry is weak here - 0%

Nothing stands out! I thought it was great. - 0%

5. Potential to Scale / Replicability

5 - Absolutely, 100%! - 0%

4 - I feel really good about this - very promising - 0%

3 - This has some good elements and some areas for development - 100%

2 - This doesn’t inspire me so much - 0%

1 - This entry is weak here - 0%

6. Organizational Leadership

5 - Absolutely, 100%! - 50%

4 - I feel really good about this - very promising - 0%

3 - This has some good elements and some areas for development - 0%

2 - This doesn’t inspire me so much - 50%

1 - This entry is weak here - 0%

7. Potential for Creating Shared Value

5 - Absolutely, 100%! - 50%

4 - I feel really good about this - very promising - 0%

3 - This has some good elements and some areas for development - 50%

2 - This doesn’t inspire me so much - 0%

1 - This entry is weak here - 0%

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Photo of RAJIV GUPTA

Do we other accessories for agriculture? Are the environmental conditions are favorable for farming? How will you provide land and other equipment?

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