How local start-up is leveraging tech to transform organic waste into fertiliser

In March 2023, Cynthia Umutoniwabo participated in the third cohort of Jasiri Talent Investor (Simba), a programme designed to identify, select, and invest in aspiring entrepreneurs with the potential to establish high-impact businesses. During the programme, she connected with two fellow entrepreneurs, Ghislain Dukuze from Rwanda and Dennis Muguta from Kenya, who shared a common goal of addressing challenges in their home countries. Initially, their efforts were concentrated on comprehensive market research to gain insights into diverse industries—an exploration that led them to discover a mutual interest in the concept of a circular economy. ALSO READ: Embrace the principles of a circular economy “Our research delved into the daily challenges faced by people, such as issues related to food insecurity and environmental impact,” said Umutoniwabo. “At first, we considered the use of black soldier fly larvae (voracious eaters of organic waste that are used to compost waste or convert waste into animal feed) for organic fertiliser, but we realised that it presented challenges for farmers.” The team decided to explore an alternative way to produce organic fertiliser, which eventually led them to embrace vermicomposting, which uses earthworms and microorganisms to turn leftover organic materials into valuable soil enhancers and plant nutrients. ALSO READ: Is organic farming more profitable than ordinary practises? Umutoniwabo said they were committed to addressing not only climate change but also food insecurity sustainably, recognising the interconnected nature of the challenges. The commitment inspired the team's name, Loopa, which eventually evolved into a start-up company. “Loopa was derived from the concept of a circular economy, symbolising the loop of giving back to the soil and promoting sustainability in agriculture,” she explained. Currently the chief executive of Loopa, Umutoniwabo said the team started implementing their solution after securing USD 10,000 through pitching to initiate their venture as part of Jasiri Talent Investor, a pragramme she said not only shaped their vision but also fostered their connections with advisors from various fields. ALSO READ: Inside Jasiri-hosted Global Entrepreneurship Week 2023 The team utilised the funds to establish a facility in Nyamata sector, Bugesera district to transform waste into fertiliser, with the production process kicking off in September 2023. Their operations involve working closely with the market, particularly in the maximum market where they sort and transport waste to their facility. Umutoniwabo highlighted the team's diverse expertise, including chemists, circular economy specialists, and individuals with operational experience, which positions them well to tackle the multifaceted challenges they are addressing. “We also collaborate with agronomists and entomologists (scientists who study insects) to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the agricultural and ecological aspects of our work,” she added. Loopa’s composting process involves sorting waste from the market, including vegetable and fruit leftovers without salt and oil, then mixing it with undisclosed manure, ensuring the exclusion of plastics and harmful substances. The mixture is then shredded, sieved for composting to eliminate pathogens (microorganisms that cause or can cause disease), and fed to earthworms, which then result in two types of products: solid and liquid fertilisers. Umutoniwabo highlighted the environmental aspect of their solution – using waste as a resource instead of letting it go to landfills. “Our primary goal is to reduce dependence on inorganic fertilisers, which may enhance crop yields but harm the soil over time,” she explained. Loopa currently supplies to farmers involved in horticulture and non-skippers, gradually expanding production capacity. Their current focus is on production quality and direct outreach to farmers, according to Umutoniwabo. Leveraging Internet of Things Loopa began implementing the project with manual monitoring of environmental conditions like moisture, temperature, and pH levels (a measure of how acidic or basic water is) to optimise worm farming results. According to Umutoniwabo, the initial stage required periodic manual checks every two days to collect data for decision-making. She said the company is currently integrating the Internet of Things (IoT) technology to automate the data collection process, a shift that is expected to enhance practicality and efficiency in decision-making. Collaborations with different institutions, including the University of Rwanda, are underway to leverage their expertise in IoT technology. “We want to start with semi-automation. This involves starting with one or two beds of our facility to observe and understand key parameters, ensuring a systematic and informed approach. The goal is to achieve a 40 per cent increase in production efficiency. This will allow for a gradual and well-informed transition towards a fully automated system.” On December 8, Loopa secured Rwf 50 million after emerging as the overall winner of Hanga Pitchfest 2023, the largest in-person technology event in the country. ALSO READ: Rwandan climate tech startup wins innovator of the year prize With the funds, Umutoniwabo said the team seeks to expand production capacity, emphasising their commitment to delivering sufficient and high-quality products to meet the market demand. “We are focusing on ensuring good quality of our products in the initial years. We aim to collaborate with five commercial farms and 20 cooperatives within the first quarter, with plans to double these numbers within a year,” she explained, adding that they also seek to collect the data to understand the impact of their products on farmers' yields and overall produce. Umutoniwabo said that Hanga Pitchfest played a role in fostering their connections with like-minded farmers and entrepreneurs and provided feedback and opportunities to learn from mentors, contributing to their product development and market understanding.

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How local start-up is leveraging tech to transform organic waste into fertiliser