Tanzanian scientist wins East African innovation award

Arusha. A young scientist from Tanzania has achieved the top honour in the East African region by winning a prestigious innovation award, surpassing more than 200 peers.

Dr Never Mwambela, who is a scientist and senior lecturer at the College of African Wildlife Management Mweka, has claimed the top prize in the first-ever Agroecological Food Futures Prize 2024.

The award ceremony was held on Tuesday evening in Kigali, Rwanda, where Dr Mwambela’s groundbreaking work was recognised as superior among the pitches of over 200 other scientists.

Dr Mwambela is the visionary founder and CEO of Plant Biodefenders, a Tanzanian enterprise renowned for creating Vuruga Biocide.

This eco-friendly pest management solution is crucial for fostering sustainable agriculture amid climate challenges by controlling harmful pests while safeguarding pollinators, boosting agricultural yields, and securing the food supply.

Her company also produces herbal teas focused on promoting overall health and wellness.

The Agroecological Food Futures Prize, established by the Biovision Foundation, aims to recognise and support sustainable agricultural small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across East Africa.

In her acceptance speech, Dr Mwambela expressed profound gratitude to the Biovision Foundation and other partners for acknowledging her work.

She openly discussed the obstacles her startup encounters, particularly concerning financing and reaching farmers.

“Our products and innovations have substantial effects, but connecting with the people remains a formidable challenge,” she explained.

To address these challenges, the prize will support Plant Biodefenders’ initiative to train over 10,000 smallholder farmers, spreading awareness about their sustainable products and innovations.

Dr Mwambela also shared her aspirations for extending their solutions to other African countries grappling with similar pest issues, underlining the importance of reducing reliance on synthetic pesticides.

Unlike conventional pesticides, this solution was affordable and non-toxic, ensuring pests could not develop resistance.

“Easy to apply and requiring no protective gear, Vuruga Biocide was safe for humans and the environment alike,” Dr. Mwambela noted, stressing that remarkably, it even attracted pollinators, boosting crop yields and enhancing food security.

Tanzania’s High Commissioner to Rwanda, Abdalla Nangwanda, expressed immense pride and enthusiasm as he congratulated the Tanzanian scientist who captured the prestigious highest innovative prize.

He emphasised how such accomplishments not only elevate the individual but also inspire an entire nation to strive for excellence in various fields of research and innovation.

In partnership with the IKEA Foundation and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), the prize aims to recognise Agroecological Enterprises (AEEs)—small and medium-sized businesses exemplifying the 13 principles of agroecology.

These enterprises play a vital role in creating sustainable jobs, protecting nature, strengthening local value chains, and providing healthier, safer food options.

Programme Manager, Policy and Advocacy at Biovision Foundation, Mr. Hans Von Zinkernagel, said the objectives of the Agroecological Food Futures Prize, highlighting the importance of supporting small businesses focused on soil health, biodiversity conservation, and smallholder farmer livelihoods.

Biovision aims to address the gap in financing for such businesses, emphasising that these enterprises can be both environmentally and socially impactful as well as profitable in the long term.

Mr Zinkernagel expressed satisfaction with the event’s outcome, noting that it provided entrepreneurs an opportunity to refine their business plans.

Biovision, with its 26 years of experience in East Africa, continues to build connections with civil society, policymakers, and the investment community to support agricultural enterprises across the region.