wnnr biotech

Agriculture is the backbone of the Zimbabwean economy, with 67 % of the nations total labour force actively employed in that industry. These predominantly smallholder farmers have recently increased Zimbabwes cash crop production for the export trade by between 28 65 %. Their contribution to the development of the Zimbabwean economy is hampered by inefficient soil fertility enhancement and plant growth promotion. Zimbabwe imports 50 000 t of Nitrogen fertiliser to meet its soil fertility needs. However, the average sub-Saharan African fertiliser usage is 18 kg / ha, which is considerably less than 24.5 176 kg / ha range requirement for adequate nutrient supply. A small fraction of farmers in Zimbabwe use biofertilisers as a more sustainable alternative to chemical fertilisers. The biofertilisers currently used in Zimbabwe are imports, though the technology, resources and know-how required for a home-grown product exists. Therein lies an opportunity to manufacture and supply the local market with biofertilisers that promote soil health. wnnr biotech is a biotechnology start-up that aims to tackle the soil fertility management problem faced by smallholder farmers. The company develops and markets biofertilisers; substances which contain living microbes which colonise the soil or plant root surface and help stimulate plant growth. Biofertilisers have the capacity to supply 50 % of the fertiliser needs of crops grown in the arid and semi-arid marginal lands of Zimbabwe. While most smallholder farmers cannot afford inorganic fertilisers, this home grown start-up aims to develop a cost-effective alternative that is universally affordable, thereby increasing the productivity of Zimbabwe's largest work force.