In our efforts at 249Startups to generate information , data and opportunities in sudanese markets , We have launched series of forums where we will be hosting experts, Corporate execatives and entrepruners to detect challenging areas and market gaps, and identify what opportunities lie within it, and to provide market insights and know-how on approaching specified subjects.
This is done with the aim of equipping the participants with explicit knowledge about the identified markets and widen their horizons by communicating the different opportunities which lie within them, and try to direct them towards working in areas that are currently a priority for government , development & private sectors .Additionally, encourage the participants to develop solutions to address the identified challenges and gaps in the industry.
And, with the call for applicants for the 3rd batch of the Orange Corners Sudan Incubation Program started, we are considering how the upcoming incubation cohort can address these challenges as well as the needs of the country. With that came the idea
of the incubation program having thematic tracks dedicated to the identified challenging areas and gaps.
Second Forum : Empower Youth in Animal Production Industry
In our second forum, Moderated by Smart VET Founder and CEO Dr. Ahmed Gamaleldin. who is alumni of the Orange Corners Sudan program. We hosted Associate professor and Marketing Consultant Dr. Nahid Fawi, and the former Marketing Manager at Bash Pharma Dr. Hashim Abdalla Hassan , they discussed Empowering the Youth in Animal Production Industry . Watch the full webinar and reach the summary of discussion points .
Watch Full Webinar now Online
Agriculture, food and Animal Production is one of the eight tracks of the Orange Corners Program. This webinar is an opportunity for entrepreneurs to learn about the opportunities available in these paths.
Overview
Animal husbandry is the branch of agriculture concerned with animals that are raised for meat, fibre, milk, eggs, or other products. Sudan has big investment opportunities in the animal production sector, if used properly can bring a lot of profits and contribute to sustainable development and as a result lead to end poverty.
We have about 8-9 higher education facilities that graduate a big number of animal production students each year to the market who are looking for employment opportunities. Also the animal production sector needs more attention from the government, we can take Ethiopia and Rwanda as examples in animal production investments that led the youth to upgrade the sector.
In Sudan we have a huge animal wealth, more than 35 millions head of cows, more than 4 millions head of camels, besides goats, fish, and chickens. But in the other hand, per capita share of chicken is 1 kg per year, and that applies for milk, red meat and other products.Animals skin also have a big market that’s growing world widely, its one of the investment that generates high income, and have a lot of chances
Challenges
One of the biggest challenges that face the animal production sector in Sudan is lack of a national up to date and accurate database that lead to accurate vision.
Added Value products
Value here doesn’t mean financial value, it refers to what does your customer receive as a value from your product or service.It describes what happens when you take a basic product and increase its value. The activity of adding value to a product is connected to the customer’s need and his willingness to pay for it.
Value chain differs from supply chain, it means delivering certain value to a customer or consumer. Consumer value chain is the consumer’s mindset, what are the features he looks for in a product? Price, place, packaging..etc
Added value products include but not limited to
- Transformational products, which means taking a product and running it through processes to produce a new product such as processed milk results in yogurt, cheese, dried milk.. etc.
Market research
The main goal of any project regardless of its size is delivering a competitive value for its customers and stakeholders. It is crucial to read the market before you start investing in any sector.
Unfulfilled needs is the basis of in market research to unlock the consumer value chain. Customers in the animal production industry include farmers, processors, suppliers, wholesalers and retailers as well as HORECA (hotels, restaurants and cafès) so it’s important to choose your targeted customer and or set of customers. | Dr.Nahid Fawi
The correct market research can result in opening new opportunities such as:
- Halal food market
- Functional food market
-
-
- A2 milk
- Camel milk for autism
- Whey
- Low fat milk for cholesterol
- Milkshakes
-
-
- Organic food market
- Innovation market
-
- Different categories of Jersey cream.
- Chicken fat
- Lamp tallow
- Ricotta cheese
And the examples goes on and on
Success stories
Wad ballal is a small village 166 km south Khartoum, established a public shareholding company and each citizen in the village held shares in the company, as a smart step to end poverty within their village. The company started investing in buying lands, and growing agricultural products in it, then it established a fish farm, raising chicken for meat, and their biggest project was calves fattening which started off with a 50 thousand US dollars funding and 1000 head of cows that became 6000 heads today. The project created jobs for 100 individual with an increase of 25 jobs annually.
The profits were invested in health insurance to all the village citizens, building a high school for the village and providing other services.
Faqih for chicken in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia, supported small businesses through giving them all the production inputs they needed to raise chickens, then they marketed their products under their brand name and gave them profits. This step helped micro and small businesses to gain profits and gave them an opportunity to compete in the market.
Smart Vet
Started by a market research in 2018, then a establishment of a veterinary pharmacy in the city of Khartoum North, to be near the big farms and have close interaction with them. Then the project faced an obstacle that can be summarized in one question, how to run a business?
Dr. Ahmed Jamal turned to new technology and downloaded a mobile app to help him on running his business, but it wasn’t a successful experiment because the app was limited, and that’s when the idea of creating his own app sparkeld, with the help of his sister who’s an IT graduate he launched his own application, that went through many stages of changes and modifications to reach what it’s today.The app has all the products prices as well as a system for customers to help them manage their farms.
“We need to develop the mindset of the customers and stakeholders,” he said . Also it’s very difficult to find funding because of the financial crisis and the risk of investing in startup companies.
Joining Orange Corners Sudan batch 1 allowed Dr.Ahmed to further develop his business , expand his networks and knwoledge .
The role of youth in the renaissance of the animal production sector in Sudan
“you have to start the right project, don’t be a copy and think outside of the box. You must acquire skills, dgree only isn’t enough, you have online courses platforms, YouTube, and so many other resources to learn from.
Believe in yourself, because we believe in you.” | Dr.Nahid Fawi
“ you need patience, and efforts. With those two elements you will reach your goal and it will benefits you and the country. ” | Dr.Hashim
This Article had been developed by 249Startups Team for purpose of learning and sharing knowledge as part of Markets Opportunities Mapping Forum . Written by : Thuraya Saad , Copywriter – 249Startups .