Stage of Innovation: Prototype (You have a working physical product)

Problem: The average price of bread has increased in recent days. In April, 2021 a loaf of bread was sold at N350 naira but presently a loaf of bread is sold at N450 naira or more depending on the areas, due to the increase in price of wheat flour. A 50kg bag of flour now goes for about N30,000 as against N12,600 in January 2021, representing a 138% increase in price. The reason behind these is: (a) The insecurity in Nigeria which has made farmers unable to have full access to their farms in order to plant and harvest wheat. (b) Countries such as Russia & Ukraine in which we import wheat from are at war with each other. (c) Other reasons are the hike in price of diesel, shortage of foreign exchange and the mounting freight charges. (d) Wheat has also been known to cause allergic reactions, gluten sensitivity, over eating and a rise in blood sugar levels

Unique Selling Point: The solution we offer, which is the production of sweet potato flour as a substitute for wheat flour, is a novel approach to the problem of high wheat prices and unemployment in Nigeria. While there are other flour substitutes in the market, such as cassava flour and maize flour, sweet potato flour has several advantages over them. Firstly, sweet potatoes are easier to grow and cultivate in Nigeria, which means they can be produced locally, reducing dependence on imported wheat flour. This will help to conserve foreign exchange and reduce the cost of food production. Secondly, sweet potato flour has more nutritional benefits than wheat flour, as it is high in dietary fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants. This makes it a healthier alternative for consumers, particularly those with gluten sensitivities. Finally, the establishment of the sweet potato flour processing and production factory by Tassiwa Multipurpose Services will provide employment opportunities for youths and women, addressing the problem of unemployment and poverty in Nigeria. Overall, the solution offered by our company is innovative, sustainable, and has several advantages over existing alternatives.