SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP CASE STUDIES ON TWO TECHNOLOGIES
~ Paakhi Mishra
SOLAR SISTER: EMPOWERING WOMEN WITH CLEAN ENERGY
Overview
Solar Sister is a social organization that trains and equips women in rural Africa to run their own solar energy businesses. Solar Sister was established in 2010 to combat the twin problems of inadequate access to renewable energy sources and gender inequality.
Implementation
“Solar Sisters,” women from underprivileged areas, are recruited and trained to become business owners and distribute renewable energy goods including solar lights, clean cook stoves, and solar panels. Products like this are cleaner alternatives to using kerosene and wood for heating. This company trains women in business and technology so that they can start their own small companies in their neighborhoods.
Impact
Impact on the Environment: Solar Sister improves air quality in rural regions by encouraging the use of renewable energy products, which in turn reduces the need for fossil fuels and associated carbon emissions.
Women’s Empowerment: The Solar Sisters business model helps women become more financially secure and active community leaders by giving them access to new sources of income.
Effects on health: Using clean energy products has positive effects on health as it lowers the levels of indoor air pollution and learning (by providing brighter lighting for students).
Challenges
Market Imperatives: Getting people to use innovative technology and getting early-stage projects funded by donors and investors.
Overcoming cultural conventions: Age old traditions and patriarchy that may discourage women from pursuing careers in business and technology.
HELLO TRACTOR — TRANSFORMING SMALL-SCALE AGRICULTURE WITH IoT
Overview
Hello Tractor is a social enterprise that uses Internet of Things (IoT) technology to improve subsistence farming in Sub-Saharan Africa. The company was founded in 2014. The business facilitates a network between tractor owners and smallholder farmers, giving the latter access to on-demand, low-cost tractor services.
Implementation
Hello Tractor installs Internet of Things (IoT) devices on tractors to track their position, usage, and service needs. Then, farmers can use a smartphone app to request tractor services, enabling tractor owners to maximize equipment utilization and revenue through equipment rentals. Farmers may use the platform’s real-time data to guide their planting, watering, and harvesting decisions.
Impact
The availability of mechanized services to smallholder farmers increases productivity by allowing for more efficient planting and harvesting, which in turn increases farmers’ income.
The platform helps local tractor owners by opening up new revenue streams and job opportunities in rural areas, contributing to rural development.
Hello Tractor helps create more sustainable and resilient food systems by spreading awareness of cutting-edge farming techniques.
Challenges
In order for farmers to make the most of the platform, we must ensure that they have access to modern technologies like smartphones and stable internet connections.
Changing people’s habits, like convincing farmers to switch from centuries-old practices to cutting-edge machinery and processes
Solar Sister and Hello Tractor are insightful examples of how technology may be used to improve people’s lives, the environment, and economic prospects in underprivileged areas.
