May 10, 2013

AgriProtein Technologies wins innovation prize

AgriProtein Tecnologies has won the Innovation Prize for Africa (IPA) worth US$100,000 for converting maggots into livestock feed.

AgriProtein Technologies beat 10 other finalists from across the country to scoop the prize by developing a way to create livestock feed out of the bio-waste thrown out by abattoirs.

After allowing flies to lay eggs in the bio-waste, the resultant larvae, or maggots, are harvested and dried before being mixed with carbohydrates and starch to create food for chickens, crayfish, abalone and pigs, said AgriProtein Technologies cofounder Jason Drew on Wednesday (May 1).

Drew, who scooped the award at a gala dinner ceremony at the Mount Nelson Hotel on Monday (May 6) night after coming first out of over 900 entrants, said a team of 10 experts, including engineers, forensic scientists and animal nutritionists worked together to develop the animal feed protein.

The IPA was founded by the African Innovation Foundation (AIF) and the UN Economic Commission for Africa, focusing on building Africa's capacity by investing in local entrepreneurship.

AgriProtein Technologies winning innovation was selected according to its marketability, originality, scalability, social impact and clear business potential.

Drew said his company was already at a commercial production stage in order to provide farmers with affordable animal feed protein and the prize money would enable to expand to the rest of Africa.

"We are honoured by this remarkable recognition. We are passionate about expanding our business to recycle more waste nutrients and supply a natural protein to feed farm animals... helping sustainably feed our continent…this is an African contribution to sustainable agriculture for our planet," he said.

The IPA 2013 awards also recognised two runners up for their contributions to African innovation.