E-Livestock Global, a Zimbabwe-based startup that generates data on livestock, plans expansion into new markets.
E-Livestock Global, a Zimbabwe-based startup that generates data on livestock, is planning expansion into a number of new markets, according to one of the company’s founders, Max Makuvise.
E-Livestock Global – Generating data
Founded in 2019 by Chris Light, Melissa Enge and Makuvise, E-Livestock Global uses hardware and software to generate data on the lives of livestock. Officially launched in 2021, the company’s system involves tagging animals with RFID tags that are linked to the owner’s details. Scanners and mobile phones are then used to compile information concerning all the life occurrences of the animal.
“For years rural smallholder farmers have suffered, being excluded from formal systems. Issues of ownership of cattle and the ability to settle claims on ownership have led to many, especially women, being disenfranchised,” Makuvise said. “Whilst many nations have laws allowing for cattle to be used as collateral, a robust traceability system has precluded many farmers from participating and being financially included. Africa possesses over 20% of the world’s cattle but is not able to export to many lucrative markets because of a lack of traceability systems. Many animals die needlessly, especially of tick-borne illnesses. Having a system that can track health would be of great help.”
An affordable solution
E-Livestock Global aims to improve the livelihood of rural and commercial farmers by enabling the traceability of their cattle and other livestock. “By focusing on cutting-edge, affordable technologies, we created a world-class solution that can be applied globally. Supporting digital and financial inclusion, developed for the smallholder farmer and powered by blockchain. Most solutions focus on the top or commercial downwards. We built from the base upwards. By focusing on affordability you stand a better chance of building a national system,” Makuvise said.
The startup received initial pre-seed funding to develop its app and prototype, and has conducted pilot tests on five different types of cattle operations in Zimbabwe. The startup utilizes a double revenue model based on initial tag sale of USD 2 and an annual subscription fee of USD 1 for the core system from the start of year two.
“The system has been designed to work on any farm or owner of livestock. A large scale cattle ranch with over 7,000 head of cattle; an insurance company that is using biological assets as a part of policyholder assets; a stud operation with seven different pedigree herds; a medium-sized herd of 300 belonging to a tech enthusiast; and a government-controlled dip where over 1,500 animals use the services,” said Makuvise.
Expansion plans
Encouraged by results in Zimbabwe, E-Livestock Global intends to embark on expansion, “There has been a great deal of interest both inside Africa and on other continents. We are currently in Zimbabwe and will be expanding to Zambia and Mozambique once the rainy season is over. Uganda and South Africa are also on our radar. Multiple locations are under discussion globally including the major livestock markets such as North America,” Makuvise said.
According to reporting toward the end of last year, African firms in the agritech sector raised USD 1.1 billion over the last five years.