MIT Solve

Solution Overview

Solution Name:

African New Foods Consortium

One-line solution summary:

Improving food security by industrializing and scaling sustainable protein production for human and animal sustenance

Pitch your solution.

The problem we are addressing is fact that African agricultural systems are not scaling at a rate that meets the continents growing demands for protein,

To address this issue we are proposing a modular and scalable system for producing food through rearing insects for human and animal consumption. This system is built on three primary principles:

Scalable production
Consumer education
Ease of financing

If implemented, our model would help open humanity to the untapped potential of insects as a source of food. This would occur by promoting the industrialization of insect farming, improving awareness, and adopting a financial model which supports growth.

The effects would be a more secure and resilient food system that promotes health and economic development.

What specific problem are you solving?

There is an increasing global trend which is exploring insects as a source of sustainable protein for humans. Insects require a fraction of the resources of traditional livestock to produce the same amount of food for humans, and as a result, can feed humanity with much fewer inputs. However, the growth of the insect industry has been hindered by two primary factors:

Lack of consumer education (marketing)
Lack of economically sustainable production (industrialization)

Addressing these factors presents a challenge for entrepreneurs due to the connected nature of the two. One may only invest in marketing edible insects if the industry can support the increased demands (which it currently can not). Also, one would only invest in industrialization of the consumers would absorb the increased output.

With this considered, a model is needed which iteratively addresses both production and consumer education.

Africa is ripe for such a model given the increased investments in the development and modernization of agricultural methods. But considering that "modern" agricultural methods are in now way sustainable, Africa has an opportunity to surpass global standards and develop a system meant for the modern world.

What is your solution?

Our solution is to develop a large scale cricket farm which uses its modular nature to allow public (in addition to private) investments to scale farming operations.

Cricket rearing will be done in customized shipping containers. This allows investors to simply purchase a container and have it added to the the farm site (not their own) to raise crickets.

Additionally, we will be launching a marketing and consumer education campaign to promote the benefits and opportunities in insect consumption to both consumer and food product producers on the continent.

Part of this initiative will include a support center for companies interested in creating value added insect products.

Who does your solution serve, and in what ways will the solution impact their lives?

Our solution serves the people of Africa who are in need of an inexpensive and healthy source of protein.

Which dimension of the Challenge does your solution most closely address?

Promote the shift towards low-impact, diverse, and nutritious diets, including low-carbon protein options

In what city, town, or region is your solution team headquartered?

Accra, Ghana

What is your solution’s stage of development?

Prototype: A venture or organization building and testing its product, service, or business model

Who is the primary delegate for your solution?

Tony Chedrawee - CEO