Stage of Innovation: Proof of Concept (You have created something to show the innovation can work)

Problem: Globally, we produce enough food, but 30% is wasted - yet hunger persists. Food waste and associated value chain accounts for 25-30% global methane emissions, a gas which are more dangerous than CO2 with short life spam in the atmosphere, cutting methane emissions is the fastest way to reduce the Climate change effects. Furthermore, Sub-Saharan Africa is experiencing rapid urbanization yet non-performing agriculture creates food insecurity and socio-economic imbalances. For instance in Nigeria, up to 12.5 million tons of food waste end up in landfills annually whereas 7.1 million people are severely food insecure among them at least 1 million children who suffer from severe acute malnutrition. The capacity to respond to these needs is diminishing due to rising costs of farm inputs that is dependent on import which the climate change and conflicts has further excavated. For example, fish farmers are facing critical challenges in meeting the protien requirements for the fish feed and spend up to 70% of the farm running costs. Can we upcycle food waste into farm inputs, especially animal protein for fish/poultry feeds and bio-fertilizer for crops, towards achieving zero hunger?

Unique Selling Point: Currently, waste especially organic and food waste are managed via discarding, burning or burying which are not all sustainable infact they cause more harmful problems to the environment, our solution Upcycle-Bin (U-Bin) is a handy, low cost, easy to operate black soldier fly based biotechnology Bin suitable for localized conversion of waste on farms and community level to animal feed and bio fertiliser. It is a proven biotechnological solution that transforms “food waste to Wealth”. It harnesses the unique capabilities of the black soldier fly to convert waste into insect protein and bio-fertiliser. Generally U-Bin provide a sustainable, adaptable and cost effective sources of income and nutrition for all by producing alternative sources of farm inputs for food security and for the love of people, profit and planet.