E&E Green Farms

 

E&E GREEN FARMS

E&E Green Farm is a new woman-owned seeds company engaged primarily in seed production, distribution, and extension. The company is registered under the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) and licensed by the Rwanda Inspectorate Competition and Consumer Protection Authority (RICA). The company currently operates two farms located in Gatsibo District (about 65km from Kigali) and Nyagatare District (120km from Kigali) and specializes in the multiplication of hybrid maize, soybean, high iron beans, and other biofortified seeds that are sold in both local (Farmers, Agro-dealers, NGOs, and farmer cooperatives) and export markets (Tanzania and other African countries).

The SMART Challenge

As a woman and youth development-focused company, E&E Green Farms works with various partners, such as the Rwanda Ministry of Agriculture, Rwanda Agriculture Board, National Agriculture Export Board, Clinton Development Initiative, CIAT, Western Seeds, African Improved Food, and Agro-processing Industry.  Likewise, it offers extension services that support seed production and distribution. As a young organization with limited personnel, the founder is looking to engage other youth innovatively through the use of social media and a company website. Building on last year’s SMART project which developed E&E Green Farm’s Social media marketing plan, this year’s team needs to:
        1. Develop social media content that promotes knowledge on basic and certified seed               production, standards, and policies.
         2. Design and roll out a website that promotes company awareness and engagement.
2023-2024 SMART Fellows
Muhammad Hani Ahsan
Master of Public Administration, Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy
Project: E&E Green Farms

Hani is a Fulbright Scholar concentrating in Economic and Financial Policy. He is passionate about using data analytics to enhance the performance of the public and private sectors. At Cornell, Hani is working as a Graduate Assistant for the Executive MPA Program. He is also serving as the President of the Cornell Graduate Consulting Club and as a Senior Content Editor at the Cornell Policy Review. Over the summer, Hani worked as an Economic Affairs Intern at UN-OHRLLS. Hani holds a BSc. Sociology from the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) in 2021.

Stephy Chen
Bachelor of Arts in Information Science and Government, College of Arts and Science 
Project: E&E Green Farms

Stephy is a junior majoring in Information Science and Government. She is driven by a deep passion for social impact, especially in the intersection of business and technology. Currently, Stephy is a product manager for a pioneering venture aiming to streamline the para-transit services on Cornell’s campus. Stephy brings a wealth of experience derived from her previous roles in business consulting for B-corporations, marketing for non-profit organizations, and finance for a real estate private equity firm where she worked on the trading and securities desk. Stephy is excited to participate in the E&E Green Farms project and aims to use her background in business development and programming to further increase youth and women’s participation in agricultural careers.

Abbie Jobe
Bachelor of Arts in Agricultural Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences 
Project: E&E Green Farms

Abbie is a sophomore majoring in Agricultural Science at Cornell University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. She is dedicated to utilizing data and infrastructure to address food insecurity and improve access to clean water. In the summer of 2023, Abbie served as the Cultural Relations Manager for Cornell Engineers in Action (EIA), contributing to the construction of a 50-meter pedestrian bridge in rural Eswatini (South Africa). Her role extended beyond the physical construction of the bridge as she facilitated cultural exchanges between Siswati and American culture, involving 35+ community members and Cornell students. Abbie's commitment to community service is further evident through her recognition as a Cornell Traditions Fellow. 

Lucas Xu
Master of Science in Applied Economics and Management, Charles Dyson School of Applied Economics
Project: E&E Green Farms

Lucas is studying Applied Economics and Management and has a strong  interest in entrepreneurship. She previously interned at a startup incubator where she conducted market research that supported the venture’s fundraising efforts. Combined with her experience in digital marketing, Lucas  specialized in designing and executing social media strategies for luxury brands—a skill she hopes to apply to the Rwanda E&E project. Lucas is also an associate with Big Red Venture, one of Cornell's prominent venture capital funds, where she contributes to sourcing and due diligence.

Project Lead and Faculty Advisors
Hongdi Zhao
PhD Student, Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management

Hongdi is a Ph.D. Student in Applied Economics and Management at Cornell University. Her research interest is the intersection of development economics and machine learning. Hongdi holds an MPA in international development from Cornell University and a B.S. in Statistics from China. She worked as a research fellow at Harvard Kennedy School, a research associate at Yale Economic Growth Center, and a research analyst at IFPRI before coming back to Cornell to pursue her Ph.D. study. Previously, she worked and lived in Tanzania, Kenya, and conducted research in India.​

Dr. Fridah Mubichi-Kut
Professor of Practice, Executive Director SMART (Student Multidisciplinary Applied Research Teams), Applied Economics and Policy, Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management

Fridah is the executive director of the Student Multidisciplinary Applied Research Teams (SMART) Program and Professor of Practice in Applied Economics and Management at the Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management and SC Johnson College of Business at Cornell University. Perplexed by the paradox of the hungry farmer, her research is focused on understanding the role economic development policies, social networks, information and communication technologies (ICTs) play in the promotion of new agricultural innovations. Fridah values and understands the responsibility multidisciplinary teams have in solving complex problems and developing sustainable solutions. Trained first as an international business administrator and later social scientist, she has taught, worked, and supported various organizations and projects internationally. Most recently, she worked as director of monitoring and evaluation within a USDA agricultural commodity research program and previously a social scientist within two USAID- Feed the Future innovation projects. Fridah holds a Ph.D. degree from the University of Missouri Division of Applied Social sciences.  

Field Dates: Jan 7-16, 2024  
Field Location: Kigali, Gatisibo & Nyagatare, Rwanda
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