NovFeed

The world’s population is growing rapidly, and the global demand for animal protein from fish to poultry is growing with it. But there’s a problem fish feed are made from wild-caught fish like anchovies and sardines. These fish are caught using highly destructive fishing methods that results in unintentional by-catch and the destruction of coral reefs. One third of global fish catch doesn’t go towards direct human consumption; it goes to feeding animals. As results, more than 85% of the world fisheries are exploited. We are feeding fish to other animals and it doesn’t make sense. In addition tons of organic waste is thrown out every day. NovFeed has identified that problem and therefore we are addressing both issues with one elegant solution that uses organic waste to grow fly larvae, which is then dried, ground into a protein rich meal and incorporated into a finished pelletized feed.

The population in Tanzania is growing and developing economically driving the increasing demand for sustainable animal protein. Wild catch is decreasingly unable to meet the rising demand as natural water bodies are overfished. That has been driving up fish prices, making fish less affordable for the lower income segments (26.4%) of the population which live below US$2 according to World Bank 2019. These force result in an estimated fish demand deficit of 480,000 tons per annum (Inception study aquaculture Tanzania 2019), this resulted into booming of fish farming, however fish farmers are facing critical challenges. In a survey of conducted by (NovFeed 2018) nearly 150 fish farmers in Tanzania, the problem most frequently mentioned was lack of access to fish feed, and was listed twice as much as the second biggest problem was fingerings. Feed often accounts for 60­80% of a farmer’s costs and it’s not uncommon for bagged feeds to be up to 30% gravel. Manufactured feeds are not widely available, as a result, many fish farmers formulate their own feed on-site using seasonal ingredients and omena in small batches, which is both inefficient and nutritionally inadequate, this causes stunted growth to fish thus making culturing period too long.

NovFeed scientifically formulates and produces a new cost-effective, sustainable and better quality fish feeds based on indigenous, locally produced and sustainable ingredients such maggots and aquatic plants as  an alternative to fish meal and soy bean meal which are commonly used by other fish feed manufacturer. The Macrophytes (Duckweed and Azzolla) are cultured or farmed under controlled media fertilized with organic manure in concrete tanks and ponds. Then harvested after 6-10 days, and dry under the sun after that grinded into powder form as main source of protein and will be hydrolyzed by cow/goat/sheep enzyme to reduce crude fiber. And black soldier flies in their larval stage, they feed on organic matter and can eat a wide variety of organic wastes, from different sources such as slaughtering houses. As the larvae mature, they consume this organic waste ravenously for 2-3 weeks before reaching the prepupae stage, at which point they are at optimal nutritional content and can be harvested. They are then dried and ground into a fine protein rich meal then mixed with other ingredients for producing fish feed pellets, which are then sold to fish feed distributors that will sell to the fish farmers. 

 In Tanzania total fish farmers are 19,223 with total ponds 21,300 and market size for fish feed in Tanzania approximately USD 22.8M. In a survey conducted by (NovFeed 2018) nearly 150 fish farmers in Tanzania, the problem most frequently mentioned was lack of access to fish feed, and was listed twice as much as the second biggest problem was fingerings.  We currently service over 60 fish farmers in 5 years the projected future impact of our innovation in term of number of beneficiaries, there will be increase number from 19,223 to 35,000 All these fishermen will have safer and more sustainable alternative livelihood to fishing out at sea, reducing the pressure on living marine resources. Since my fish feed contains no fishmeal, it will mean a net conversion of biological waste into usable feed, without depleting fish stocks in the process. Production will increase from current production of 3,942 tons to 15,000 tons per year, ultimate impact fish farmers will increase their disposable income by 30% and therefore they will increase standard of living. Consumers will be able to access fish this will raise per consumption of fish from current 8kg per annum to 15kg per annum.  

In Tanzania there is huge lack of affordable, nutritious, and sustainable fish feed. Feed often accounts for 70% of a farmer’s costs. Manufactured feeds are not widely available, most feed is mixed onsite in small batches from local crops, which is both inefficient and nutritionally inadequate. In addition, tons of organic waste is thrown out everyday, endup posing environmental distraction. NovFeed scientifically tackle both food waste and food security challenge with one elegant solution. We recycle organic waste to grow insect larvae for fish feed with the aim to lower production cost and make fish more affordable healthy food source.

Our solution is very unique, first and foremost, because it presents a novel source of protein. NovFeed uses novel ingredients such aquatic plant and maggot to replace fish meal and soy bean meal during fish feed production. Our competitors include medium sized feed manufacturers in Tanzania or the region. These suppliers are either professional feed manufacturers (e.g. UgaChick in Uganda, Unga in Kenya, Skretting & Aller Aqua in Zambia). With consideration of competitor’s strength-weakness and the situation, we made strategies to deliver consistent product at competitive price 30% Cheaper than competitors. NovFeed is better in quality, taste and digestibility than competitors feed based on our lab test and farm trials on weight gain and growth rate, by using NovFeed fish attain table size (Market size) at reduced culture time at minimum production cost.

NovFeed has mastered the task of producing new cost effective, better quality and sustainable fish feed out of macrophytes and Maggots. The technology solutions consist of feeding segregated bio-waste to Black Soldier Fly larvae, which have been reared in a nursery. Larvae grow on the waste feedstock and reduce the waste mass. At the end of the process, larvae are harvested and post processed into a sustainable and better quality fish feed. The waste residue are also processed further and potentially sold as soil amendment with fertilizing properties. On the other hand macrophytes are produced in earthen and cemented ponds, the crude protein responds to the nutrients contents of growing media, and in fertilized water the crude protein increases up to 45%. Crude fiber in macrophytes are reduced by hydrolyzing Macrophytes meal by using sheep rumen liquor enzyme which is a source of alternative materials that are cheap and easily used as a source of hydrolyses hence improve digestibility, then we mix with other ingredients to make complete feed.

Most fish feed currently used in the world is derived from ocean­ caught fish such as sardines, herring, and anchovies, which are then manufactured into a protein base called fishmeal and soy bean meal, both of them are consumed by human being therefore raising competition between fish and human. NovFeed scientifically formulates and produces a new cost-effective, sustainable and better quality fish feeds based on indigenous, locally produced and sustainable ingredients such maggots and aquatic plants as  an alternative to fish meal and soy bean meal which are commonly used by other fish feed manufacturer. The study of Insect in fish diet conducted by G. Tran, V. Heuzé, and H.P.S. Makkar (2015) have shown that feed made with insect protein is nutritionally comparable to conventional feeds and far more environmentally sustainable. Using NovFeed will reduce farmer’s production cost by 30% and Increase productivity. If adopted by mass fish farmers across the country and globally will result in an increased productivity for the fish farmer’s. Increased productivity will result into consistent supply of nutritious fish, and nutrition status of household including women and children will improve, reliable inclusive job in aquaculture and reduce hunger in the household level and allow for investments in human capital, such as education, and physical capital. With more productive people and fish farms, fish farmers can increase their overall household income and achieving a higher standard of living.

We are currently service over 60 farmers and In year one NovFeed plan to produce 120 tons of fish feed and coming years NovFeed will increase production from 120 tons of fish feed per annum up to 920 tons in year five. Our plan is to increase production by 50% yearly to reach this level it will require adequate finance, at that time NovFeed will be already acquired more customers both within and outside the country. Increase in this production level will result into both environmental and societal impact includes but not limited to directly employment of 14 people from year 3 onwards.  Furthermore, many seasonal workers will be employed. Their number can be estimated at 10 to 20 per day; at this level of production over 100 tones of organic waste will be converted to maggots and organic fertilizers.  After 5 years the projected future impact of our innovation in term of number of beneficiaries, there will be increase number from 17,725 to 35,000 of fish farmers due to accessibility of affordable fish feed, Production will increase from current production of 3,942 tons to 15,000 tones per year, ultimate impact fish farmers will increase their disposable income by 30% and therefore they will increase standard of living. Consumers will be able to access fish this will raise per consumption of fish from current 8kg per annum to 15kg per annum so they will improve their health status.

NovFeed is a revolutionary, for-profit aquafeed company. We scientifically formulates and produces a new cost-effective, better and sustainable fish feeds from insects and cater to aquaculture farmers in Tanzania. NovFeed helps to divert food waste, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and replace ocean trawling. Recently the company is targeting fish feed distributors who will be buying in bulk and then sell to fish farmers in retail. The essence of targeting fish feed distributors is that they have an experience in fish feeding industry but again they have large customer base (fish farmers). Through fish feed distributors will help to make our product known easily by farmers not only in the country but also continent and the world at large. Later on ponds constructors who also manage other people’s fishing farms and large fish farmers (Who will be able to purchase in bulk) will also be added in our customer base. To date we have secured 6 customers (Fish feed distributors) who have capacity of purchasing 5-10 tons of feed per month everyone.

NovFeed goals are in the next 5 years:

-          To produce quality fishfeed through improved scientific formulation and production methods

-          To conduct marketing outreach to farmers

-          Develop partnerships with individual farmers, local and foreign investors, farmer group/associations, traders, and wholesales that promote investment and business development opportunities

a) Failure to produce desired volume of Macrophyte Duckweed (Lemna minor and azolla)

b) Technical issue or failure to manufacture appropriate feed

c) Failure of nutritional  on farm trial 

• Failure to produce desired volume of Macrphphyte Duckweed (Lemna minor and azolla)

Can be mitigated through trying another type of organic manure due to fact that maximum production of Macrophytes depends on the quality of organic manure used to fertilize water

• Technical issue or failure to manufacture appropriate feed

Can be mitigated partly through knowledge of nutrient composition
(protein, lipid, carbohydrate ratios ) adequate processig and controling
inclution level of ingredients. Therefore, it is not percieved that this will
be major challenge. 

• Failure of nutritional  on farm trial : well known in nutritional trial which can be negatively affected by feed inadequate problems and an expected loses of experimental animals through disease / infection. Food formulation will be based on standard nutrition principle and designed to satisfy known nutrient requirement. No major  feed related problem likely to require a trial to be terminated as anticipated. As always fish feed trial in fish feed trial  careful designed, appropriate replication and appropriate biodivesity prescribe that complete failure of a trial is generally unlike scenerio in the less intensive system. Person  involve in fish trial are highly exprienced.

we are 11 in total and we work full time in the company 

·         4 founders

·         5 full time employees

·         2 volunteers

Our core team consists of four full-time members. Within the team, each of us plays a distinct role in accordance with our respective skill sets and backgrounds. Some of us work on developing our core competency insect production and processing while others focus on building business connections, marketing, and budgeting. Our team brings disparate backgrounds and disciplines together to imagine a more sustainable aqua-feed industry. Mr. Otaigo is an Environmental Economist and has a deep understanding of Tanzania environmental pressures and extensive experience in conducting in depth economic analysis of fish feed production value chain. Miss Diana a Micro-biologist with extensive experience in feed quality assurance, insect breeding, pupation, grow­out, and harvesting. Mr. Karoza, Aqua-feed specialist has experience is fish nutrition and fish feed formulation using novel Ingredients, His experience and exposure have allowed him to develop excellent relationships with farmers and establish trust among the fish farming community. Mr. Michael Benjamin an IT and he is extremely interested in looking into agriculture technology solutions and our potential to collect and utilize big data in feed industry. In addition, we have a vast network of both formal and informal consultants, mentors, and advisors whom we regularly collaborate with on product development. In addition, we have a vast network of both formal and informal consultants, mentors, and advisors whom we regularly collaborate with on product development.

We have secured partners include Chemonics International Chemonics international, provided us with Grant of $5000 and $10,000 inkind support includes exploring access to new market, assisting with internal operations, financial structure and providing technical expertise to further solution development; UNLEASH provide us with continue mentorship coaching and linkage to their partners; Small Industry Development Organization (SIDO) who provided us with an office space for free fo consecutive three years and lastly we are partnering with Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (COSTEC) who are helping us to patent our innovation.

Our business model is B2B with the aim to sell fish feed to fish feed distributors at $0.95/Kg.  This simplifies the logistical complexities of distribution and allows us to outsource that aspect of the business to a fish feed distributors that is much better equipped and experienced and already have customers. Our distribution channels include but not limited to Fish feed exhibition; Physical meeting with fish feed distributors; online advertisement.

From the project perspective, the solve fund would be a significant boost to my project, which would allow me to further invest in the scalation of my solution, and hence reach to more people and enhance my impact. I would use the $10,000 for expanding my maggot farming facility, which will then be able to convert 10 tons of waste in 21 days and bring the project to a medium commercial level of production. This will reduce our overall production costs and achieve economies of scale. 

Besides the financial impact of the solve fund in my venture, Solve would truly enhance the visibility of my project, helping me reach out to wider audiences in and beyond my country, helping me enhance the visibility of my project and hence reach out to more potential customers. Moreover, being able to participate in the conference  would be an extraordinary opportunity to meet other young people working at the forefront on sustainability and biodiversity, enlarging my network with other like-minded professionals and innovators from which to learn, from whom to draw inspiration, and with whom to cooperate in the future.

To take our business to the medium scale we needs $50000 of non dilutive funding, we are seeking partners who can help us to raise that amount of money but also assist us with market expansion in and out of sub-Saharan Africa. our goal is to expand beyond Africa by 2030. good news is NovFeed  has huge scope for diversification in various other products include not limited to poultry feed, pig feed and cattle feed, NovFeed has huge opportunity for company expansion  the market base as it will with less capital expenditure. In near future NovFeed Plan to produce macrophytes from out-growers and opening up new production line which will open flood opportunity for the company trading with other organized fish feed retail store and wholesale open.

We would like to partner with different organizations including but not limited to :

- FAO

-FAO fish

-IFFO

-World fish

The above organizations are few among the giants in fish industry in general; we believe there support to NovFeed would be indispensable given a chance to partner with them. They will help NovFeed to explore and access to new markets, assisting with internal operations and financial structures, and providing technical expertise to further guide solution development. In addition we will be able to access their wealth of knowledge in how to turn my product and services into immediate customer needs, techniques and best practices of responding to consumer values and needs. Through this NovFeed business would provide unique value to the consumer beyond cost-effectiveness and support environmental sustainability at the same time.

.

As a young lady who is striving for a better future for me and all other women's  I know how its hard to be a woman in this world without any source of income. with consideration of so many challenges facing women in job acquisition I planned to use our technology to make sure over 1000 women's in one year, in surrounding community get something to do generate her income. Our business expect to introduce out-growers scheme to youth and women by conducting aquatic plant and maggot farming  training to Out growers by feeding them with modern ways of maggots Farming as a profitable business, thereafter provide them with all extension service, and in return our company will buy their output (Maggots and Aquatic plant at a reasonable price, this will create direct employment to over 1000 people and poverty reduction, in local community where the project will be implemented and other indirect from the entire value channel distribution channel. In addition to this our solution will benefit over 5000 local fish farmers to have access to quality fish feeds which reduce fish production cost by 50% with the aim of making fish to attainable size at reduced culture time at minimum production cost. The women prize will enable us to turn this idea into reality.

NovFeed is a revolutionary, for-profit aquafeed company. We scientifically formulates and produces a new cost-effective, better and sustainable fish feeds from insects and cater to aquaculture farmers in Tanzania. NovFeed helps to divert food waste, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and replace ocean trawling.  Recently the company is targeting fish feed distributors who will be buying in bulk and then sell to fish farmers in retail. The Future Planet Capital Prize will help usbegin building a Scaled facility capable of producing five tons of maggots meal per week, Macrophtes at least 8 tons/week which will be our primary operational facility starting upon completion  and installation of medium fish feed production line to produce 20 tons per month. In one year we will impact over 40 youth and 50 women on our out-grower system and increase their disposable income from $2 to $5 per day this addresses SDG8 of “promoting sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth” by including women and youth in our business, which targets several indicators, such as 8.5 and 8.6. To convert over 100 tons of food waste into maggots by 2021 which align with SDG 12 which is “to ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns” To reduce fish farming production cost by 30% hence sell fish in reasonable price that is affordable to community this will impact SDG2. Zero hunger and targeting several indicators e.g. 2.1.1: Prevalence of undernourishment 2.1.2: Prevalence of moderate or severe food insecurity in the population, based on the Food Insecurity Experience Scale.