Improving lives of refugees with mosquito repellent lotions as well as empowering small-scale farmers with sustainable agro-inputs

Ecobed Biotech Brand was born out of a personal and profound experience with the harsh realities of food waste and its impact on both economic livelihoods and the environment. Our founder, Jovia Kisaakye, grew up in a farming family that struggled with the challenges of agricultural waste, particularly with milk. Her family, like many others in rural farming communities, faced the frequent and painful experience of disposing of over 100 liters of spoiled milk every day due to inadequate market facilities and limited preservation methods. This experience, ingrained from childhood, sparked Jovia's determination to find innovative and sustainable solutions to reduce waste and improve the quality of life for those in similar situations.



In 2022, this determination culminated in the establishment of Ecobed Biotech Brand, a venture that combines biotechnology with sustainability to tackle the pressing issues of food waste, environmental degradation, and public health.



Mission:

Our mission is to harness the power of biotechnology to create sustainable solutions that address food waste, promote circular economy practices, improve public health, and empower local communities, particularly small-scale farmers. We are committed to reducing environmental impact while enhancing the livelihoods of the people we serve.



Goals:

1. Reduction of Food Waste: Develop innovative processes and products that effectively minimize food waste, particularly in the dairy and hospitality sectors.

2. Promotion of Circular Economy: Implement systems that repurpose waste into valuable products, contributing to a circular economy that benefits both the environment and local economies.

3. Public Health Improvement: Develop natural, sustainable products that address public health issues such as mosquito-borne diseases, offering safer alternatives to chemical-based solutions.

4. Empowerment of Local Communities: Provide resources, training, and sustainable agricultural inputs to small-scale farmers, empowering them to improve their productivity and resilience.

5. Climate Change Mitigation: Contribute to climate action by reducing waste, promoting sustainable practices, and supporting communities vulnerable to climate-induced displacement.



Past and Current Activities:

1. Spoiled Milk Repurposing:

   - Product: Mosquito Repellent Skincare Lotion.

 We developed a method to convert spoiled milk into an effective mosquito repellent skincare lotion. This product not only protects against mosquito-borne diseases but also nourishes the skin, making it a dual-purpose solution that addresses both health and waste concerns.



Impact: This initiative has significantly reduced the amount of spoiled milk waste in our target communities, while also providing a much-needed health product, particularly in malaria-endemic regions. To date, we have distributed over 120,000 units of our lotion to underserved communities including refugees, with support from our generous partners. 



2. Black Soldier Fly Larvae Biotechnology:

   - Product: Organic Fertilizers and Animal Feed.

We utilize black soldier fly larvae to convert food waste collected from hotels and restaurants into high-quality organic fertilizers and animal feed. The larvae are incredibly efficient in breaking down organic waste, which is then transformed into nutrient-rich fertilizers that are distributed to local farmers.



Impact: This process not only reduces the amount of food waste that ends up in landfills but also supports sustainable agriculture by providing farmers with affordable, high-quality inputs. It also contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with waste decomposition. To date, we have distributed over 200 tons of our fertilizers to small scale farmers in districts of Lukaya, Masaka and Wakiso. 



3. Collaboration with Local Farmers:

We have established partnerships with local farming cooperatives to ensure the effective distribution of our organic fertilizers. These partnerships help us reach more farmers, improving their access to sustainable agricultural inputs and enhancing their productivity.



Training sessions and workshops are conducted to educate farmers on the benefits of organic fertilizers and sustainable farming practices.



4. Public Health Campaigns:

Alongside the distribution of our mosquito repellent lotion, we have conducted public health campaigns to raise awareness about the dangers of chemical-based repellents and the benefits of natural, organic alternatives. These campaigns have been particularly focused on rural areas where access to health education is limited.



5. Advocacy and Leadership:

Our CEO, Jovia Kisaakye, has been an active advocate for climate action and youth empowerment. She has represented the African Union as a youth representative on the Youth Reference Committee, where she has focused on promoting entrepreneurship and sustainable development initiatives across Africa.



Jovia’s advocacy work with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) has also centered on climate mitigation and the impact of environmental factors on forced migration. Her work has emphasized the need for innovative solutions that address the root causes of climate-induced displacement.



Future Planned Activities:



1. Expansion of Black Soldier Fly Biotechnology:

 Goal: Scale up the black soldier fly larvae project to include more regions across Uganda and eventually expand to other African countries.



Plan: Increase the number of food waste collection points in collaboration with more hotels and restaurants, establish additional processing facilities, and expand the distribution network for organic fertilizers and animal feed.



2. Development of a Mobile App for Food Waste Tracking:

Goal: Leverage technology to enhance the efficiency of our food waste collection process.



Plan: Develop a mobile application that tracks leftover food from hotels and restaurants in real-time. This app will help streamline the collection process, ensure timely waste management, and optimize the conversion process into organic fertilizers.



3. Research and Development:

Goal: Innovate further in the areas of waste conversion and product development.



Plan: Invest in R&D to explore additional uses for spoiled milk and other food waste materials. We aim to develop more products that can contribute to public health and environmental sustainability.



4. Expansion of Health and Environmental Education:

Goal: Broaden our public health campaigns to include more communities and educational institutions.



Plan: Collaborate with schools, local governments, and NGOs to integrate health and environmental education into their programs. We aim to reach more young people with information on sustainable living and the dangers of chemical-based health products.



5. Empowerment of Small-Scale Farmers:

Goal: Increase the number of small-scale farmers we support with organic fertilizers and training.



Plan: Work with local and international partners to secure funding and resources that will allow us to reach more farmers, particularly in regions most affected by climate change and food insecurity.



6. Climate Action Initiatives:

Goal: Contribute more significantly to climate change mitigation efforts.



Plan: Expand our advocacy work on climate action by participating in more regional and international forums. We will also explore partnerships with environmental organizations to scale up our impact on climate-related issues.



7. Addressing Forced Migration:

Goal: Tackle the root causes of forced migration by addressing environmental degradation and climate change.



Plan: Implement projects in regions where climate change is causing displacement, focusing on providing sustainable agricultural solutions and promoting community resilience. We aim to create models that can be replicated in other regions facing similar challenges.



Conclusion:

Ecobed Biotech Brand is committed to being at the forefront of innovation in the fight against food waste, environmental degradation, and public health challenges. We believe that by harnessing the power of biotechnology and promoting sustainable practices, we can create a better future for all. Our journey has just begun, but with the continued support of our partners, communities, and stakeholders, we are confident in our ability to make a lasting impact on the world.



Thank you for your continued support and belief in our mission. We look forward to working together to achieve a more sustainable and equitable future.

Ecobed Biotech Initiative Limited

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Ever since I was a child, my family depended on livestock farming for survival. We could dig ditches to collect rain water for our animals. Unfortunately, the same ditches became habitats for mosquitoes. I was always a chronic occupant of hospitals due to malaria disease to the extent my classmates nicknamed me a sicker. The same malaria disease claimed the life of my young brother at 5 years. At this time, my family shifted from livestock farming to crop planting which also came with its shortcomings among which was food wastage, low prices at the market and climate changes that affected outputs. As I grew up, I dedicated myself to find a solution to malaria disease and unnecessary wastage of agricultural products. That’s when I developed ecobed biotech initiative. 

Across the globe, about 1-3 million cases of death due to malaria are recorded. Majority of these cases occur in Sub-Saharan Africa with Uganda sharing a large burden of the disease. Uganda is a home to the largest refugee settlement in the world with thousands of malaria cases reported in refugee settlement. 

More to that, 1/3 of all food produced in the world is wasted. Spoilt milk and most dairy products amount to majority of food wasted and contribute to worsening of climate crises with milk discarded, running into downstreams and releasing methane emissions per day. Food wastage undermines the resilience of small scale farmers. 



Our project aims to covert hundreds of litres of spoilt milk into an eco friendly mosquito repellent skincare lotion. Our lotion has been certified to be 97% effective against mosquito borne parasites as well as offering over 12 hours of uninterrupted mosquito free skin. To date, we have distributed over 120,000 units of our lotion to marginalized communities of refugees and we’re seeking additional support to distribute over 1M units of our lotion to refuge settlements. With this, we aim to save more lives from malaria as well as contributing to saving our planet from methane emissions and climate impacts. 

Help protect refugees from malaria disease

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Ecobed Biotech Initiative Limited