General risks
Cultural differences
A very interesting and exiting part of the project, is that we will be working with people from different cultures together on the project. This also brings a lot of risks. The Ghanaian students and other Ghanaian participants will have a different approach on the project than we will. For example, the perception of time is very different in Ghana then it is in Holland. We should take this into account when we make our planning. The communication also differs a lot; it is important to first get to know potential business partners a little bit, and have a laugh with them, and after this start negotiations.
Scope too broad
The project contains a lot of objectives that we want to reach. There is a chance that too many objectives have been put in the scope. When this is the case, we should shift our focus from all objectives, to only one part of the project. We have to stay alert on this aspects as we already know we are taken a lot on out plate.
Project Scenarios
There are two big external factors that will determine the outcome of the project and the way we will have to handle during the project. These are:
I. The efficiency of the production process
II. Cooperation of farmers and target group for education
In all scenario’s it is important that there is an evaluation of the training programme and possible improvements of this programme.
1. Need of Capacity
This is the scenario where the efficiency of the productionprocess isn’t optimal. For example because there can’t be purchased a new milling machine because of financial problems, but farmers, schools and hospitals are willing to buy Mor Nutro Powder. Here, there will be Moringa supplied by farmers and there will be question for the Mor Nutro Powder by the schools. The missing aspect here, is the process capacity at KITA because of the missing milling machine.
What can be done in this scenario?
In this scenario a lot already has to be done. For enlarging the willingness to buy/purchase Moringa, a lot of marketing and education has to be done. So this is a thing that has to be executed during the project. There isn’t enough capacity at KITA at the moment because of an inefficient production process. Therefore, a business plan concerning the enlargement of this capacity should be written. This business plan has to describe the financial aspects concerning a milling machine, the best design of the milling machine, possible suppliers for a milling machine, how to maintain the milling machine, how the drying phase should be arranged and the design of a solar dryer.
How likely is this scenario?
This scenario has a medium probability. The way to convince farmers to produce Moringa, is by letting them see an example farm with a milling and packaging centre. Without a milling machine and a good functioning solar dryer, nothing can be promised to them concerning a fixed income, because then everything is very insecure. This makes it hard to convince the farmers. Without these farmers, there is no Moringa supply, which isn’t a good base to convince the schools and hospitals either of using Mor Nutro Powder in their meals. Herefore, without an example farm and functioning milling and packaging centre, the chance of cooperation of farmers and the target group is not that big.
The chance of this scenario is 25%
2. Sustainable Mor Nutro business
In this scenario, the milling and packaging centre can be established, there has been created a well functioning solar dryer and the farmers are willing to plant and provide Moringa and the target group is willing to use it for their meals.
What can be done in this scenario?
There are very few barriers in creating a sustainable Mor Nutro Powder business in this scenario. This means, that during the internship all objectives can/ have to be reached by the described approach.
How likely is this scenario?
Right now it is not clear how big a chance we have in being able to purchase a new milling machine and build the milling and packaging centre. Until we are in Ghana and find out what possibilities there are for hiring people and what the experience of Nyikiba and Charlotte is, we can online make a rough estimation. The estimation of this scenario now is put on 15%.
3. Challenge
In this scenario the production process of the Mor nutro Powder at KITA is very inefficient. Due to this problem, farmers and the target group cannot be convinced of the abilities that KITA has and are not willing to establish a partnership.
What can be done in this scenario?
In this scenario a lot can be done on a research base. There can be made a business plan concerning the milling and packaging centre, and specifically about the purchase of the milling machine. Moreover, schools and hospitals can be approached for education. This is useful for when the production process at KITA does improve; this way schools and hospitals are already familiar with Mor Nutro Powder and have been educated about the important of a well balanced diet.
How likely is this scenario?
At this moment, we do not have enough information about the financial possibilities of KITA, but we ought this scenario to be pretty likely. This, because this is the same situation the students from last year have been in. We would like to put more focus on the business plan and the example farm at KITA when this happens than the students have done last year.
The possibility of the scenario is put on 30%
4. Future Business
In this scenario there is a lot of effort put in the creation of a milling and packaging centre and a solar dryer, but there is no time left to convince farmers and the target group. There isn’t a Mor Nutro Powder business yet, because there are not enough farmers willing to produce Moringa and there are not enough clients in the form of schools and hospitals. On the other hand, this is something people from KITA themselves can do. This, because now they have a milling machine, al the possibilities for creating a sustainable Moringa business are there. When they see this, and they are motivated, they can also approach the schools and hospitals after the internship. With this scenario, there are a lot of opportunities to start the business.
What can be done in this scenario?
In this scenario, both milling & packaging centre and the solar dryer will be established. There has to be done a lot of research; about a good milling machine, the solar dryer and the continuation of the project for when we leave. When these aspects have been arranged, there has to be a very good business plan. This way, the business can be assigned to a new group of people when we leave, and somebody feels responsible for the maintenance, the way the machine is being used and the whole moringa business. There has to be enough and good educative material for the schools and hospitals, and the training for the farmers has to be improved.
How likely is this scenario?
This scenario is pretty likely. We do not have a lot of time during the internship, so the change that we have to chose between the educational and the trade part of the project is possible. Because Samuel has addressed that the focus of the project lies at the trade part, when we do have to chose we would chose for this part of the project to put some extra effort in. The possibility of this scenario therefore is put on 30%