Pressurized air treadle pumps

Zambia currently grapples with its worst drought in over three decades, The drought has destroyed 1 million hectares of maize, which is almost half of the country's maize cultivation. This has thrown over 1 million small-scale farmers, who depend on rain-fed agriculture for survival, into a state of despair. Incomes have vanished as crops wither under the scorching sun. The erratic rains have drastically reduced yields as Many farmers have lost entire harvests, leading to food insecurity and financial hardship among local farmers.

However, a glimmer of hope exists for local farmers in the form of human-powered treadle pumps. These ingenious devices allow farmers to access underground water reserves for irrigation, even during droughts.

Imagine a scenario:  Malama, a small-scale farmer, has traditionally relied on rain for her maize crop. This year, the rains failed. Her maize wilted, threatening her family's food supply and income. However, with a treadle pump, Malama can tap into groundwater and/or nearby streams, reviving her crops and potentially even generating a surplus to sell.

Twalima Agro designs and manufactures pressurized air treadle pumps from locally sourced materials.  These combine human power with compressed air to efficiently extract water.  By reducing pumping effort by 60% and increasing flow rate by 80%, Twalima Agro makes irrigation more manageable and less time-consuming.

Imagine a treadle pump on steroids for your fields! Twalima Agro's treadle pumps are exactly that, human-powered pumps boosted with pressurized air for effortless irrigation. Our pressurized air treadle pumps are a game-changer for small-scale farmers.  By combining human power with a touch of air pressure, they offer a reliable and easy-to-use solution to keep crops flourishing throughout the year.

Here's how it works: Picture a regular treadle pump, the kind that works like a seesaw to pull water up from a well. Twalima Agro adds a twist: a pressurized air tank. This tank acts like a helper, giving the water a push upwards with compressed air, just like you inflate a bicycle tire, Less Effort, more water Flow: this ensures a reduction in pumping effort compared to traditional treadle pumps. Think of it as going from pushing a heavy wheelbarrow to riding on a scooter, much easier to keep going! this means farmers can now irrigate a large piece of land using  pressurized treadle pumps compared to a traditional treadle pumps. providing more water for the crops, even during dry spells when the water table drops. It's like having a powerful well even in times of drought.

how we use technology in our approach: in order to ensure that our pumps offer real value and impacts to farmers. We developed a data-driven geospatial database which help analyze factors like rainfall patterns, soil moisture, groundwater levels, and existing infrastructure. This data help us pinpoint areas with suitable underground water reserves for treadle pump effectiveness, maximizing their impact. We use geographical information systems (GIS) to map out the distribution of treadle pumps and overlay it with data on vulnerable communities and drought severity. This helps us target pump distribution efforts towards areas in greatest need.

The platform serves as a data-driven decision-making tool. By providing a clear picture of land, water resources, and human need, it ensures treadle pumps are placed strategically, maximizing their effectiveness in combating drought and empowering farmers.

We primarily target small-scale farmers in drought prone regions, particularly those practicing rain-fed agriculture. These farmers typically cultivate plots of land under 2 hectares and rely heavily on rain-fed agriculture for their livelihoods, They are the most vulnerable to impacts of droughts as they have limited access to irrigation. This is because Large-scale irrigation systems are often expensive and require technical expertise, putting them out of reach for small-scale farmers.

By offering an affordable and reliable irrigation solution, treadle pumps can significantly improve the lives of small-scale farmers, by helping them cultivate all year round, boosting their agricultural productivity and fostering resilience in the face of drought. Twalima Agro's pressurized air Treadle pumps are low-cost, easy to maintain, and require no electricity making them ideal for remote areas. They empower farmers to take control during droughts, ensuring food security and income generation. By offering these pumps, we are helping Zambian farmers weather the storm and build resilience for future dry spells.

Our enterprise is comprised of a well-rounded team uniquely positioned to tackle the challenges in the agriculture sector. Our four founding members bring diverse expertise: in agriculture, engineering, risk management and craftsmanship. This multidisciplinary background empowers us to understand both the technical intricacies of pumps and the financial aspects crucial for affordability and scalability.

Our team is comprised of 10 staff and include essential team players such as,

1. Andrew Mpashi holds a BSc urban planning, software engineering and professional certificate in geographic information systems (GIS); Andrew is the cofounder/CEO and plays a multifaceted role at Twalima Agro, leveraging his diverse expertise in rural development planning, farming, software development, and computer aided design. His responsibilities span leadership, technology integration, and strategic vision for the company

2. Everson Banda holds a BSc in actuarial science and Diploma in corporate finance; Everson's role as the CFO is pivotal for Twalima Agro's financial stability and growth. His expertise ensures the company's financial resilience and supports strategic decision-making in the dynamic landscape of agriculture

3. Lameck Mhango who holds a craft certificates in machining and  metal fabrication. Lameck' s comprehensive experience spans the technical intricacies of metal fabrication, boiler making, machining, workshop management, safety oversight, and collaborative innovation with the engineering team. His expertise is vital for the success of Twalima Agro's ventures in agricultural machinery

4.Noel Kafwimbi who holds a Bachelor’s degree in Bioenergy Science & Certificate in ESG; As the sustainability officer at Twalima Agro, Noel is at the forefront of driving sustainable solutions, focusing on renewable energy innovation and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations. His role is pivotal in advancing clean energy technologies among farmers and ensuring sustainable practices within the organization

5. James Nyirenda holds a B.Eng. in Mechanical engineering; He is a Aero-Mechanical Engineer with a comprehensive understanding of diverse Engineering domains. James has a strong foundation in mechanical engineering, specializing in mechanical systems, control mechanisms, configurations, and maintenance.

What sets Twalima apart is the synergy between our team's technical prowess, financial acumen, and hands-on manufacturing capabilities. This synergy allows us to create innovative, affordable, and customizable solutions tailored to local needs. Our holistic approach, combining technical excellence with business acumen, uniquely positions us to address the challenges and maximize the impacts for rural communities in Zambia.

Twalima Agro for the past one year has focused on testing the effectiveness of the pressurized air treadle pumps in a pilot project to the farming community in Mazabuka, Zambia. We have built and tested the pressurized air treadle pumps, a technology designed to help farmers access water for irrigation and we have so far sold 30 units of these pumps to farmers in the Mazabuka area. Through using our pumps, farmers have been able to cultivate a total of 70 hectares of land, despite the drought conditions.

This pilot project demonstrates our progress in developing and deploying the pressurized air treadle pumps. The fact that farmers are able to cultivate such a significant area during a drought suggests that the technology has the potential to be a valuable tool for improving agricultural resilience in drought-prone regions.

By leveraging opportunities offered by solve, we can accelerate our growth, amplify our impact, and help us move closer to achieving our vision of empowered farmers and a thriving, climate-resilient Zambia within the next year. Solve's network of experienced entrepreneurs and advisors will provide valuable mentorship on scaling our business model, navigating challenges, and reaching new markets. The program brings together founders from across the globe facing similar challenges, sharing experiences and best practices with other climate-focused businesses will spark new ideas and potential partnerships for us, being part of the program will give Twalima Agro greater visibility to potential investors who share our mission of social and environmental impact.

Our experience in developing and implementing irrigation solutions for small-scale farmers can be valuable to other climate focused entrepreneurs in the agriculture space. We can have a platform to share best practices, challenges faced, lessons learned and fostering collaboration within the community, being selected for the program would validate our approach and inspire other African entrepreneurs tackling climate challenges with innovative solutions.

Pressurized treadle pumps represent a significant step forward, offering a more robust and versatile irrigation solution for small-scale farmers. Our success could lead to a wave of innovation and wider adoption of treadle pumps, ultimately transforming the irrigation landscape for the better. Here is how our pumps offer significant benefits compared to traditional treadle pumps;

Flow Consistency & Efficiency:

Traditional treadle pumps deliver a pulsating flow as the user pushes down on the treadles. A pressure tank stores pressurized air created during pumping strokes. This air then acts as a buffer, providing a more consistent and forceful water flow, even during pauses between pumping actions. This consistent flow is crucial for efficient sprinkler or micro-irrigation systems. The pressurized tank allows for a smaller water chamber in the pump itself. This reduces the amount of water needed to be moved per pump cycle, making the pumping process more efficient and less physically demanding for users.  By ensuring a consistent and forceful water flow, pressurized treadle pumps can lead to improved irrigation efficiency and potentially higher crop yields for farmers.

The increased pressure from the pressurized air enables the treadle pump to reach further distances and higher elevations, expanding its applicability for irrigating uneven terrain or distant fields

Market Transformation:

Twalima's pressurized treadle pump sets a new standard for foot-powered irrigation solutions. This could inspire other manufacturers to innovate and introduce similar features, leading to a more advanced and effective treadle pump market. The increased capabilities of pressurized pumps could broaden the market appeal of treadle pumps, attracting farmers who might have previously considered them inadequate. This could lead to wider adoption and a more robust market for human-powered irrigation solutions.

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Imagine a small-scale farmer like Mwale who resides in remote zambia and depends entirely on rain for his crops. During a drought, the rains fail, and Mwale's crops wither. He has no food to feed his family and no income to buy more.

Here's how a pressurized treadle pump can change things:

• Reliable Water Source: Unlike rain, a pressurized treadle pump allows Mwale to tap into underground water, even during droughts. It's like having his own personal well, powered by his own feet!

• Stronger Flow, More Crops: The pressure tank in the pump gives the water a good push, making it flow more steadily and forcefully. This is like having a stronger wellspring, allowing Mwale to water his crops more effectively.

• More Food, More Money: With a reliable water source, Mwale's crops can grow healthy even in dry times. This means more food for his family and potentially extra crops to sell, bringing in more money.

Overall, pressurized treadle pumps empower farmers like Mwale by giving them control over water access during droughts. This helps them grow more food, earn more income, and become more resilient in the face of dry spells.

Twalima Agro envisions a Zambia where rural communities thrive in harmony with nature. We see small-scale farmers empowered, not just with products, but with the tools and knowledge to become guardians of a sustainable future

We actively measure the impact of our pumps on crop yields and farmer’s livelihoods. This data then guides us on further innovations, potentially leading to new product lines or irrigation system improvements.

We monitor water usage patterns with the pumps to assess water conservation compared to traditional methods. This is done through surveys with participating customer farmers and we are exploring potential partnerships with research institutions to implement pilot monitoring programs. We Partner with agricultural extension agents and local NGOs to track crop yield improvements amongst farmers using Twalima Agro pumps. This data directly demonstrates the impact of our products on food production, we also conduct surveys with participating farmers to assess changes in household food security since adopting the pumps. This helps us measure factors like dietary diversity and reliance on external food sources.

We also monitor the participation of women in using and maintaining the pumps. This is done mainly through surveys and focus groups to assess how our technology empowers women and reduces the burden of water collection.

Here is a list of our specific measurable goals that we use to measure our impacts;

Goal 1: Increased Agricultural Productivity for Smallholder Farmers

• Metric: Track the average increase in cultivated land area and crop yields among farmers using Twalima's pressurized treadle pumps compared to a control group using traditional methods.

Goal 2: Enhanced Food Security for Rural Households

• Metric: Monitor the reduction in food insecurity among families using Twalima pumps, as measured by surveys and partnerships with local NGOs focused on food security.

Goal 3: Improved Livelihoods and Income Generation for Farmers

• Metric: Track the increase in average household income among farmers using Twalima pumps compared to the control group,  through surveys.

Goal 4: Gender Empowerment in Agriculture

• Metric: Measure the increase in women's participation in irrigation tasks and decision-making processes within farming households using Twalima pumps, this will be done through surveys and focus group discussions.

Goal 5: Widespread Adoption of Pressurized Treadle Pumps

• Metric: Track the total number of Twalima pumps sold and the geographical spread of their adoption over time.

Twalima Agro's pressurized treadle pump basically combines two core technologies:

1. Traditional Human-Powered Treadle Pump: This is the fundamental mechanism for lifting water. Imagine a seesaw with pedals on one end. By stepping on the pedals, the user creates a pumping action that draws water up from a well or other water source.

2. Pressurized Air Tank: This is the innovative addition that differentiates Twalima's pump. The tank acts like a mini reservoir for compressed air. As the user operates the treadle pump, air is compressed within the tank. This pressurized air then acts like a booster, pushing the water out with a stronger and more consistent flow.

3. The core technology powering Twalima Agro's data-driven geospatial database is Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing technologies. 
   

Currently twalima agro has 10 full time employees and 6 part-time employees. We also have a board of directors comprising of four members with diverse experience in business, engineering and agriculture

We have been working on this innovation since January 2022, although we first deployed the first version of our pumps on the market in march 2023.

Twalima agro aims to create a diverse and welcoming environment both for our staff and customers, we Actively seek candidates from various ethnicities and genders through targeted job postings and Seek out qualified candidates from Zambia's diverse ethnicities to create a leadership team that mirrors the nation's demographics.. We also offer flexible work schedules and remote work options to accommodate diverse needs and attract a wider talent pool.

Twalima Agro follows a direct sales model, focusing on selling individual pressurized air treadle pumps directly to local small-scale farmers, We target small-scale farmers in drought-prone regions. These farmers typically lack access to expensive irrigation systems and rely heavily on consistent rainfall supply for production.

Our primary source of income is the unit sale of our irrigation pumps. Each pump is sold at $99 and translates to direct revenues for Twalima Agro.

In order to effectively reach our target audience, We have established partnerships with agricultural cooperatives, local agro dealers and hardware stores to distribute and sell our pumps directly to farmers. We also Conduct workshops and field demonstrations showcasing our pump's benefits to generate interest and drive sales. Twalima Agro's business model creates a win-win situation. Farmers gain access to affordable irrigation solutions, leading to increased yields and food security. Our company earns revenue through direct sales, contributing to the financial sustainability of our company.

Current Model:

Twalima Agro currently employs a direct sales model, selling pressurized treadle pumps directly to small-scale farmers for $99 each. This generates direct profit for the company.

Achievement so far:

To date, Twalima Agro has raised $10,400, in external funding and consistently provided irrigation solutions to 30 farmers. 

Funding needs

Twalima Agro's dedication to sustainable growth requires a diversified funding strategy to fuel it's ambitions. We plan to raise the required amount of USD 60,000 by January 2025 and Here's how we plan to secure the funding to support our ambitious plans: focusing on grants, impact investments, and partnerships:

Grants:

• National and international sustainability grants: We will continue to research and apply for grants focused on rural agriculture development, and environmental initiatives.  We plan to showcase the social and environmental impact of our work to attract funders. Clearly communicate our impact story and measurable outcomes to resonate with potential donors.

Impact Investments:

• Impact and Angel investors: Target investors focused on socially and environmentally responsible businesses. Present a strong financial plan with clear growth projections and demonstrate our commitment to impact measurement. Some of the notable funders we are targeting in Zambia include Prospero and Zambia business angel investors (ZBAN)

Partnerships:

• Strategic partnerships with corporations: Collaborate with companies working in related sectors, such as irrigation, agriculture or environmental services. Leverage their resources and expertise for joint projects or funding opportunities.

• Government partnerships: Explore securing grants or co-funding opportunities from government agencies focused on promoting irrigation solution and rural development.
• Research collaborations: Partner with research institutions like the Mazabuka research station, Zambia institute of animal health etc. for knowledge sharing, project implementation, and co-funding opportunities. Leverage their networks and expertise to extend our reach and impact.

Twalima Agro's current financial situation is promising, with strong early traction and significant funding secured. Addressing the funding gap and challenges requires a strategic and diversified approach that leverages our strengths and opportunities. By solidifying our business plan, targeting the right investors, and actively seeking funding, we can unlock the resources needed to scale up our operations and realize our ambitious growth plans.