Tanzanian Scientist Wins Prestigious East African Innovation Award, Shines Light on Sustainability

By Adonis Byemelwa

Arusha – A young Tanzanian female scientist has emerged as the overall winner of the inaugural Agroecological Food Futures Prize 2024, defeating over 200 competitors from across East Africa.

Dr. Never Mwambela, a pioneering senior lecturer at the College of African Wildlife Management Mweka, has put Tanzania on the global map with her groundbreaking innovation. She was honored during a prestigious ceremony held on Tuesday night in Kigali, Rwanda.
This recognition is not only a personal triumph for Dr. Mwambela but also a significant achievement for Tanzania.

Her award highlights the country's potential to lead innovative solutions in agroecology and sustainable agriculture, especially in combating climate change and ensuring food security.
The triumph sets a strong precedent for more Tanzanian scientists to explore and develop homegrown solutions to global challenges.
Dr. Mwambela is the Founder and CEO of Plant Biodefenders, a Tanzanian startup credited with creating Vuruga Biocide, an eco-friendly pest control solution.

The biocide, developed from fungi, provides a sustainable way to manage harmful pests without harming pollinators, thus enhancing crop yields and promoting environmental health.
This innovation addresses the pressing need for sustainable pest management, reducing the dependency on synthetic pesticides that are harmful to both the environment and human health.
In addition to Vuruga Biocide, Plant Biodefenders also produces herbal teas aimed at promoting health and wellness.

Dr. Mwambela’s company has already made a significant impact, working with over 11,500 smallholder farmers and providing training that has reached 7,000 farmers, empowering local communities and creating jobs, particularly for youth and women.

The Agroecological Food Futures Prize, organized by the Biovision Foundation, aims to support small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that contribute to sustainable agriculture across East Africa.
The award recognizes businesses that promote soil health, biodiversity conservation, and smallholder farmer livelihoods.

Dr. Mwambela’s company stood out for its innovative approach and positive impact on both the environment and the economy.
In her acceptance speech, Dr. Mwambela expressed her gratitude for the recognition, acknowledging the challenges faced by her startup, particularly in reaching smallholder farmers and securing funding.
She emphasized that the prize would help Plant Biodefenders train over 10,000 farmers and expand their market reach, enabling them to provide affordable, eco-friendly alternatives to harmful pesticides.

“This recognition will allow us to scale our operations and provide much-needed education to farmers,” Dr. Mwambela said. She also shared her vision of expanding their solutions to other African countries facing similar pest control issues.

During the award ceremony, Dr. Mwambela passionately explained the challenges that farmers face, including the 20-40 percent crop loss caused by pests. She highlighted that global pest control costs exceed $220 billion, with invasive species responsible for $70 billion annually.

She pointed to the fall armyworm, Tuta absoluta, and the coffee berry borer as major culprits in crop destruction across Africa.
She further detailed how Vuruga Biocide was revolutionizing pest control. Unlike traditional pesticides, which are toxic and often ineffective, Vuruga Biocide is affordable, non-toxic, and promotes ecological balance by attracting pollinators and natural pest predators.

Dr. Mwambela noted that her product has already been certified for its safety and effectiveness, eliminating 90-100 percent of pests without harming the environment.

Plant Biodefenders has already achieved notable success, with their products protecting 300,000 hectares of crops and facilitating the export of vital commodities such as cotton and coffee.

However, Dr. Mwambela stressed that there was still much work to be done. She revealed that an investment of $500,000 would allow them to expand operations, develop biofertilizers, and penetrate new markets, with a projected revenue of $2 million annually.

The award represents a turning point for Tanzania’s innovation landscape. Dr. Mwambela’s achievement not only showcases the potential of Tanzanian scientists but also signals to the world that the country is ripe for investment in sustainable technologies.

The recognition reinforces the importance of supporting local businesses that promote ecological sustainability and contribute to the growth of agriculture in Africa.

Tanzania’s High Commissioner to Rwanda, Abdalla Nangwanda, expressed his pride in Dr. Mwambela’s success, noting that her accomplishment serves as an inspiration for other Tanzanian researchers and innovators.

He emphasized the importance of fostering an environment where homegrown innovations can thrive and make a positive impact on both local communities and the global market.

The Biovision Foundation’s efforts, alongside partners such as the IKEA Foundation and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, are crucial in promoting agroecological enterprises. These organizations recognize that small businesses focused on sustainable farming practices can be both economically viable and environmentally responsible.

As Dr. Mwambela concluded her speech, the room filled with applause, signaling the collective belief in the transformative power of her innovation.

Her success marks the beginning of a new era for Tanzanian science, where innovative solutions to environmental and agricultural challenges are being developed on home soil.

This victory is a reminder that with the right investment, vision, and determination, Africa can lead the way in solving global problems and building a sustainable future.