Revolutionizing The Agricultural Supply Chain

Globally, the Food and Agriculture Organisation in 2018 posited an estimated 1.3 billion tonnes of food for consumption is wasted. According to SNV Netherlands Development Organization, 2023. tomato farmers in Ghana experienced a whopping 37.5% loss in their produce post-harvest. This assertion is further buttressed by the International Food Policy Research Institutes' revelation that between 20-70% of the harvest is lost across Africa annually. While there are many reasons contributing to Post Harvest Loss (PHL), a more widely known contributor in Ghana is a lack of access to the market, This occurs as a result of many of the producers of these crops living and farming in the hinterlands with limited access to trade centres. Often their roads are poor and they resort to selling to greedy middlemen who price their farm produce at abysmal rates. Many farmers are unable to make decent returns on investment; ultimately leading them to abject poverty. This leaves farmers cultivating for sustenance, reducing their cultivated areas yearly or completely quitting farming.  

On the other side of the supply chain, many urban businesses often struggle with manual record-keeping, unreliable sourcing of fresh produce, and limited access to market insights. This problem frustrates Merdeo's customers because it directly impacts their bottom line and operational efficiency. For restaurant owners and food vendors, having a reliable source of fresh produce and efficient inventory management is crucial for maintaining high-quality standards and customer satisfaction. Moreover, by automating tasks like reconciliation and inventory management, Merdeo enables its customers to focus on core business activities and growth opportunities.

At Merdeo. We want to contribute to reducing post-harvest loss which contributes to the depletion of the ozone layer through wasted crops, influence to more equitable farming for farmers across Ghana and mitigate the inefficiencies in the supply chain.

Merdeo is a cloud-based platform that streamlines operations for restaurants and food vendors. We provide digital tools for everything from ordering fresh produce to managing inventory and finances. Moreso, we have a storage facility that is leveraging the use of wind turbine to preserve the freshness of our produce.

Merdeo aggregates produce from farmers to meet the demand of waiting businesses that need this produce.It is our way of reducing the inefficiencies in the supply chain. We identify smallholder farmers between 18- 55 years with crop quantities which other larger buyers may not accept due to small volumes. Once this is done we aggregate from others as well and clean, package and deliver to already collated businesses with demand for this fresh produce through our cloud platform.
Our platform leverages cutting-edge technology such as data analytics to make life easier for restaurateurs to empower their business growth whiles farmers have a constant 24/7 access to markets.

Merdeo project will affect the lives of numerous stakeholders along the supply chain. First, Merdeo impacts the lives of smallholder farmers, with our first cold solar storage house established in the bustling markets of Accra; we can assure the farmers that we can provide them with market access to improve their livelihoods. Thanks to this climate technology, thousands of farmers can have their crops purchased from Merdeo so they can be able to take care of their family.  Currently, smallholder farmers resort to selling to greedy middlemen who price their farm produce at abysmal rates. Many farmers are unable to make decent returns on investments and end up in impoverished state. 

Farmers, particularly women, informal workers, and individuals with low literacy, will gain from improved livelihoods through sustainable farming practices and increased market access. The cold solar storage house ensures energy-efficient operations, reducing costs and preserving their produce effectively.

With restaurants and food businesses, Merdeo comes in handy as we allow them focus on making delicious meals to delight their customers while we take care of the tedious procurement work. With our digital platform, customers can conveniently order and track their ingredients to their doorstep saving them over 30% of time. Our platform allows our clients to automate their process too, they can monitor their progress, see their financials and in the future ask for loans through our partnered bank institutions. Moreso, because we work directly with farmers and do no have to pass through too many intermediaries, the cost of fresh produce is 10 times cheaper allowing us to provide affordable fresh produce. Essentially, Merdeo is here to take away their stress while saving them time and money.

Nana is an experienced entrepreneur who has managed a restaurant business and co founded  Agriboost a catfish production and distribution business. Nana leads the team as CEO with passion and foresight.Our successes, early recognition and future gains at Merdeo have been through the patience tuition, communication and leadership Nana brings to the team. He has been awarded by the Duke of Edinburgh for his entrepreneurial thought leadership. He holds a degree in Political science and french. 

Charles Kwame Ansong is a seasoned software engineer with over 4 years of experience in web and interactive development. His expertise lies in simplicity  elegance-driven design and friendly user interfaces. With a strong track record of successfully working on various web-based projects, Charles brings his wealth of experience as the CTO of Merdeo. 

Benedicta Agyemang, is an experienced agriculture professional with expertise in sustainable farming practices, crop management, and supply chain operations. Her strategic mindset and deep understanding of the agricultural landscape drives our operations with precision and ensures value for money. 

Our market validation efforts have yielded significant traction, demonstrating strong early momentum and customer interest in Merdeo Foods. To date, we have onboarded 100 restaurants onto our platform, generating $2000 in revenue since our inception in 2023. Our social media presence has also grown, with an increase of 300 LinkedIn followers, indicating growing awareness and engagement within our target audience.

In addition, we have established a small warehouse facility to ensure the safe storage and hygiene of our fresh produce, further enhancing our value proposition to customers. Our commitment to quality is reinforced by our registration with the Registrar General Department of Ghana, affirming our legal status and compliance with regulatory requirements.

Furthermore, we have forged partnerships with 80 smallholder farmers, with a notable emphasis on gender inclusivity, as 40% of our farmer partners are female. This underscores our dedication to empowering marginalized communities and promoting gender equity within the agricultural sector.

Moreover, our recognition as one of the Top 10 Emerging Businesses practicing circular economy by the European Union in 2023 validates the relevance and impact of our business model. This accolade positions us as a leader in sustainable agriculture and reinforces our credibility within the industry.

Merdeo may not be at zero, but we're definitely not at 1 just yet. We're at 0.3, which is a start, but we need the help of Solve to push us over the edge and ignite our startup. We've managed to acquire at least ten customers, a small warehouse, and refurbished a little old car we inherited from the founder's dad to boost our logistical efficiency. And let's not forget our tech guy who's been helping with the website and the platform. But we know that to move from 0.3 to 1, we need more than just a few customers and a website.

That's where Solve comes in. We need access to experts who can join our team and help us soft launch while we improve our idea and gradually inject capital into the startup. We're looking for an expert in agriculture and supply chains who can give us strategic advice on how to grow our business. We also need an expert in financial modelling and account management who can help us come up with the best financial projections to improve our financial status and become more impactful.

With access to Solve's networks and connections, we know that we'll be able to scale quickly once we have improved upon our value offerings and thereafter received some capital injections we need through Solve, their networks or simply diversifying our offerings based on the feedback from experts in the community. We're confident that our idea has the potential to change the game in the agriculture industry, but we truly need the support of Solve make it happen. Together, we can achieve great things and take Merdeo from 0.3 to 1 and beyond.

In the end, it should not just be all about the support Merdeo has received. It must reflect in the ripple effects of many farming communities empowered as farmers are happy and thank their heavens as we improve upon their livelihoods with market access. Restaurants will be grateful that we are bringing relief to their doorstep. Whiles Nature will adore us for saving thousands of food from going waste and emitting tonnes of methane gas into the environment.

Firstly, our Cold Solar Storage House revolutionizes the way fresh produce is preserved. By harnessing solar energy to power refrigeration units, we're reducing reliance on fossil fuels and minimizing the carbon footprint of food storage. This sustainable approach not only addresses environmental concerns but also ensures the availability of fresh produce in off-grid or remote areas.

Secondly, our digital platform streamlines the process of connecting farmers with buyers, eliminating inefficiencies and middlemen in the supply chain. Through user-friendly interfaces and transparent pricing, we're empowering smallholder farmers to access markets and earn fair prices for their produce. At the same time, restaurants and food businesses benefit from reliable access to high-quality ingredients, enabling them to serve fresh, nutritious meals to their customers.

Unlike our competitors who offer general restaurant management solutions, Merdeo Foods is laser-focused on revolutionizing fresh produce procurement. Our specialized expertise in this niche allows us to deliver unparalleled quality and value to our customers, setting us apart from the competition.

Furthermore, our commitment to sustainability sets us apart. With our eco-friendly wind turbine technology, we are not only reducing our environmental impact but also saving costs on the preservation of produce. This long-term approach not only aligns with our values but also positions us as leaders in responsible business practices.

By showcasing the viability of sustainable practices and digital solutions in the food industry, we hope to inspire others to adopt similar approaches. This ripple effect could lead to widespread adoption of environmentally friendly technologies and fair trade practices, creating a more sustainable and equitable food system for all.

Merdeo's solution addresses the problem of food waste and inefficiencies in the supply chain by implementing two key components: the Cold Solar Storage House and the digital platform.

The Cold Solar Storage House uses solar energy to power refrigeration units, allowing for the long-term preservation of fresh produce. This reduces food waste by preventing spoilage and extends the shelf life of perishable items.

The digital platform connects smallholder farmers directly with buyers, such as restaurants and food businesses. By bypassing middlemen, farmers can secure better prices for their produce, leading to increased income and economic stability. This direct link also ensures that buyers have access to high-quality, locally sourced ingredients, reducing the need for long-distance transportation and further decreasing food waste.

Merdeo's solution addresses the problem of food waste and inefficiencies in the supply chain by implementing two key components: the Cold Solar Storage House and the digital platform.

The Cold Solar Storage House uses solar energy to power refrigeration units, allowing for the long-term preservation of fresh produce. This reduces food waste by preventing spoilage and extends the shelf life of perishable items.

The digital platform connects smallholder farmers directly with buyers, such as restaurants and food businesses. By bypassing middlemen, farmers can secure better prices for their produce, leading to increased income and economic stability. This direct link also ensures that buyers have access to high-quality, locally sourced ingredients, reducing the need for long-distance transportation and further decreasing food waste.

1.Cold Solar Storage House: This technology leverages solar energy to provide refrigeration and storage facilities for fresh produce. The solar panels generate electricity, which is used to operate the refrigeration units within the storage house. This allows for the preservation of perishable items over extended periods, reducing food waste and ensuring that produce remains fresh until it reaches consumers.

2. Digital Platform: The digital platform serves as a marketplace connecting smallholder farmers directly with buyers, such as restaurants, food businesses, and individuals. This platform utilizes web and mobile applications to facilitate transactions, streamline communication, and provide valuable insights into market demand and supply. Through the platform, farmers can list their available produce, while buyers can browse and purchase items based on their specific needs. This technology enables transparent and efficient trade, empowering farmers to access broader markets and secure fair prices for their goods.

3 Full Time- Nana Kofi Afriyie Sarpong- Chief Executive Officer 
                   Charles Ansong - Chief Technology Officer
                    Joseph Ntim- Driver

2 Part- Time - Benedicta Agyemang - Chief Operations Officer 
                   - Seth Osafo- UI/UX & Graphic Designer 

We have been working on this project for the past one year.

Merdeo prioritizes Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. We have empowered a female to be a part of our executive team and we are growing to become an all inclusive company where do not discriminate on race, sexuality or gender. 

In addition, we work with about 40% of Farmers being females and hence  are able to take care of their loved ones. In the restaurant industry, females are predominant and with Merdeo providing solutions to these women. They are able to have their businesses empowered

Currently, our business model deals mainly with businesses. We supply a plethora of farm produce to restaurants, hotels, mega malls and local marts. Our reason for this is the understanding that. We solve their problem in two ways; we vet quality produce which consolidates their brand values and eliminates the cost of transportation revenue on their books.

We market our products through our website, social media and in-person introductions. We actively seek out these businesses, qualify them and meet with procurement personnel to introduce our services with samples for them to try. We will continue to employ this over the next years.

We believe these processes and pivoting in response to the market will guarantee the sustainability of our operations and success of Merdeo’s business.

As Merdeo Foods scales its operations and expands its customer base, it may benefit from economies of scale, leading to lower production costs per unit and potentially higher profit margins.

We will charge a subscription fee of 5 dollars per month to access premium features on our platform such as inventory management and financial analytics to empower their business and finally we are making a 20% margin on each produce we sell weekly to restaurants who purchase from Merdeo.

Merdeo has received grants from some few accelerator programs which are;

1) Swissre Aiducation Program- In January 2023, we had to pitch our idea after going through a series of vigorous business training and after successfully convincing the dais, we got a grant funding of 5000 us dollars which we used to establish the warehouse to be able to aggregate the produce. We used one of the founders garage to turn into a warehouse. 

2) Impact Hub Rurh- The entreprenuerial hub in Germany launched a program where we got connected with Germans to work on coming up with ideas to improve our existing value proposition. Merdeo was awarded 3,000 dollars and we used it to register the business, create an account, get our few customers, design our props and also fix our vehicle so we can improve on our logistical efficiency.

3) Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Program- In November 2023, Merdeo was awarded a 400 dollars Grant to research and improve upon their idea.