The high cost and inconsistent quality of feedstock for fish in Tanzania and other African countries negatively impacts on the region’s aquaculture growth landscape and competitiveness, says agriculture company NovFeed, which produces affordable and sustainable fish feed and fertiliser at scale in the country.

Founder and CEO Diana Orembe says farmers invest heavily in feed that is often imported, which cuts into their profit margins, while there is also a limited quantity of sustainable fertiliser produced on the African continent.

After studying microbiology and founding NovFeed in 2020, Orembe set out to transform organic waste into protein ingredients using natural microbes and industrial biotechnology to produce high-quality, affordable and sustainable fish feed for their starting, growing and finishing stages of life.

“Our feed product reduces reliance on expensive soybean and fishmeal, while our fertiliser supports sustainable farming practices,” she adds, explaining that the fertiliser is produced as a byproduct from the company’s fish feed production.

NovFeed’s EcoVita fertiliser is licensed as an organic fertiliser.

The use of inorganic or synthetic fertiliser negatively impacts soil and often pollutes underground water that rural farmers depend on for irrigation. Inorganic fertiliser is also a source of nitrous oxide emissions.

Using organic fertiliser instead aids soil regeneration and increases yield, while helping crops be more resilient in periods of drought, Orembe explains.

NovFeed sources organic waste from marketplaces with the help of women and youth to segregate at source before using a fermentation technology using microbes to increase the microbial mass of the waste. About 40 kg of organic waste produces 10 kg of fish feed.

The company currently produces 40 000 litres of fertiliser a year and 3 t a month of fish feed.

Orembe highlights that new equipment from early next year will boost NovFeed’s fish feed production to 2 t/h to meet growing demand in Tanzania.

The company has an established distribution channel with agricultural retailers in the country delivering to more than ten regions in Tanzania.

Orembe strives to supply more African countries with its products to help solve the challenges of food security, resource efficiency and environmental impact in the agriculture sector.

STARTING SMALL

Starting with scarce market and networking opportunities, NovFeed itself struggled to gain the support it needed.

Orembe explains a turning point for the company was in 2021 when she applied for and won the Milken-Motsepe Prize in agricultural technology, which is an initiative dedicated to driving technological solutions that align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Having received $1-million as an award, as well as validation, credibility and more investment interest, NovFeed was able to scale up its production capacity and market reach in Tanzania.

“Africa is rich in potential, with a youthful population and vast arable land. What we need are more opportunities such as the Milken-Motsepe Prize to support innovators in turning their ideas into reality. By fostering a supportive environment for entrepreneurs, we can drive sustainable development and create lasting change,” Orembe comments.