AtoANI
AtoANI address the problem on excessive supply wastage and unmet demand through the “Produce-to-Demand” business model. Here, agreed market demand of AtoANI customers through the pre-orders dictates the type and amount of crops to be planted and processed by the Farmers in the identified locations based on their soil type. Overall, the process runs as a cycle beginning from the customer pre-orders and then ending with delivery of the pre-ordered fresh produce and processed food products. These ensures sustainability of the business model.
If the solution is scaled globally, the solution can positively change the lives of both the farmers and the consumers. With the solution, not only is there an assured market for agricultural products which is beneficial for the farmers, but the customers benefit as well from the fulfilled demand with guaranteed delivery of fresh and naturally-produced products.
AtoANI is looking to solve the following problems:
(a) Lack of farms that grow healthy and good quality organic fresh produce (fruits/vegetables/crops) through natural and sustainable farming practices since majority of the farmers are using conventional and inorganic farming methods
(b) Aging population of our farmers (averaging to 54 years old). Hence, the youth are not enticed to take farming as a career or source of living so in the future, there might be a scarcity of farmers if the youth is not involved in the initiative early on.
(c) Multiple distribution layers from the farmers to the consumers resulting to low price or revenue on the part of the farmers and high cost for the consumers. In this system, only the middlemen wins with high profit.
(d) Global Warming due to the harmful effects to the environment of conventional farming methods which makes use of inorganic fertilizers and pesticides.
(e) Problem on excessive supply wastage and unmet demand continue to exist due to lack of platforms that enables reverse estimation of crops to produce based on demand.
AtoANI's solutions under its "Produce-to-Demand" Agriculture Business Model which addresses the problem on excessive supply wastage and unmet demand include:
(a) AtoANI’s Analytics / Calculation tool – using this, agreed market demand of AtoANI customers through the pre-orders dictates the type and amount of crops to be planted and processed by the Farmers in the identified locations based on their soil type. Products are then delivered to the customers who gave a pre-order at the beginning.
(b) E-commerce platform (www.atoani.com) – this is where some customer transactions happen particularly individual customers that directly connects farmers (AtoANI’s own farm and partner farmers) to the customers eliminating the multiple distribution layers via the middlemen
(c) Fresh Produce and Products that are made using sustainable
organic farming practices in AtoANI's own farm and partner farmers farm (free from pesticides or
fertilizers). Since majority of the farmers will practices organic farming and
employing the "Produce-to-Demand" business model, the soil is
sustainably maintained to its optimum condition which is resilient to the
harmful effects of climate change.
Target communities in the following locations within Bohol, Philippines: Cambuhat, Buenavista; Anonang, Inabanga; Nueva Granada, Buenavista.
Residents generally rely on farming, fishing, raffia weaving and occasional river village tour for day-to-day sustenance. Overall, the people are generally friendly and want to uplift their lives and the lives of their family. Sadly, most of the children stop schooling due to lack of adequate financing.
To better understand the needs of our target population we have situated our farm in one of the target locations (Cambuhat) and is planning to expand our operations in the other targeted locations (Anonang, Nueva Granada). We do believe, that being present on the grassroots level and doing what these farmers do (operating our own farm) and beyond just partnering with them allows us to understand what they really need and what their pain points are. This is beneficial for us as well since its helps as improve our solution to better serve them and the end consumers.
AtoANI's solution would address their needs as it will provide additional employment opportunities and allow them to switch to sustainable natural farming practices with an assured market and less supply wastage with the Produce-to-Demand Business Model.
- Improve supply chain practices to reduce food loss, scale new business models for producer-market connections, and create low-carbon cold chains
AtoANI's solution is aligned to theChallenge dimension selected which is Sustainable Food Systems due to the following reasons:
(a) AtoANI's Analytics / Calculation tool is a technology-based solutions that support small-scale farmers with access to knowledge in improving yields while sustaining productivity of land
(b) Improve supply chain practices to reduce food loss, scale new business models for farmer-market connections with its "Produce-to-Demand" agriculture business model and e-commerce platform (www.atoani.com)
(c) Switch to natural sustainable farming practices as advocated by AtoANI supports creating a low-carbon global food system that provides nutrition with minimal environmental impact.
- Growth: An organization with an established product, service, or business model rolled out in one or, ideally, several communities, which is poised for further growth
Co-founder and Strategy Head