Meet Annet Dianah Nannono
We are delighted to introduce another founder; Annet Dianah Nannono. Explore Annet’s journey into purpose-driven entrepreneurship and what inspired her to embark on this quest of co-founding an agri-food business with Rootical.
Introduction;
In a world ravaged by food waste, meet the entrepreneur that offers a solution, Annet Dianah Nannono. Annet Diana is a mother of one who also doubles as an Agricultural Engineer and crop farmer. She's a visionary female entrepreneur who is transforming the way we think about food preservation. Annet and her co-founders, Roselyn llemuyat and Okello John, in partnership with Rootical are on a mission to transform the Ugandan food system through their agri-food business that extends the shelf-life of fruits and vegetables.
Annet Diana (on the left) with her co-founder Roselyn llemuyat.
“My objectives as an entrepreneur are; safe food consumption, advocating for food health and responsible use of water.’’ says Annet.
Entrepreneurial genesis;
Annet’s journey into the world of food preservation began with a simple observation: the staggering amount of fresh produce wasted every day due to spoilage. Her background in Agricultural Mechanization and Irrigation Engineering and a passion for regenerative agriculture paved the way for her quest to find a solution that would not only reduce waste but also promote healthier eating habits.
In 2021, Annet Diana started a community based organization in Masaka known as Farm & Art Space Community Initiative Buwunga, in which she is a founder and also serves as the Lead trainer Regenerative Climate Smart Agriculture. Annet empowers the farmers with farm and handcraft skills, and this experience became a basis for her entrepreneurial journey.
“I’m passionate about safe food and I want both farmers and vulnerable communities in rural areas to benefit, by making a business that’s impactful.” says Annet.
Annet is deeply concerned about the huge amounts of chemical residues that can be found on our fruits and vegetables in Uganda, in particular the white powder (Mancozeb) on tomatoes. Mancozeb is known to cause cancer and is forbidden for use in Europe. Unlike traditional methods of food preservation that rely on chemicals and artificial solutions, Guarding Fresh harnesses the power of nature to keep fruits and vegetables fresh for longer.
“Guarding Fresh was born out of intense research and my desire to make a business that’s impactful. Our products have benefits like reduced waste, limited pollution, improved health for the consumers and improved livelihood,” Annet adds.
Breaking through in a male dominated industry;
Annet's journey as a female entrepreneur in a male-dominated industry hasn't been without its challenges. Limited finances has been one of the most profound challenge during her entrepreneurial endeavors. However, through breaking stereotypes and garnering support for her innovative approach has built resilience and unwavering determination to overcome these limitations in her entrepreneurial journey.
Today, Guarding fresh stands as a testament to Annet's entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to making a positive impact on the Ugandan food system. By empowering consumers to make conscious choices about the food they consume, Annet is paving the way for a more healthy future.
Annet Dianah (at the extreme left), Roselyn llemuyat and John Okello, the co-founders of Guarding Fresh.
Future plans;
As we look ahead, Annet Nannono and Guarding fresh serve as beacons of hope in a Uganda that has fully embraced natural shelf life solutions. She envisions a future where Guarding Fresh produces thousands of liters of product annually and offers employment to over two thousand youth across Uganda.
“Six years from now, Guarding fresh will be a major pillar of research in Uganda where young people can come and conduct research in organic agriculture, in addition, farmers across Uganda will have fully embraced our product and will be drastically reducing food waste.” Annet concludes.
