Young Kenyan innovator cashes in on trap powered by solar

Mutuma Muriuki, founder and CEO of ECO Bristo Limited, shows the Solar Trap innovation he developed on a farm in Menwe village, Imenti South Sub County and Meru County [Nanjinia Wamuswa, Standard] In an environment where chemical residues threaten export markets, farmers and producers must think outside the box and seek innovative, non-chemical ways to manage pests and diseases. International markets now require exporting countries to implement approved residue control plans for all animal-origin products and other goods intended for human consumption. In February this year, Great Britain, which comprises England, Scotland, and Wales, issued a notice requiring that such a plan accompany any exports to these countries. Yet, for farmers in the tropics, where various pests and diseases thrive, the use of agrichemicals is often unavoidable. While these chemicals play a crucial role in increasing agricultural productivity by eradicating pests and diseases, their overuse has harmful consequences, particularly for human health and environmental safety. That is why innovative and chemical-free solutions like the Solar Trap are gaining traction. Mutuma Muriuki, founder and chief executive of ECO Bristo Ltd, developed Solar Trap three years ago. After interacting with avocado and horticultural farmers, he realised how they struggled to control false codling moth infestations. This inspired him to develop a solution that does not incorporate the use of chemicals. "With my background in agroecology and horticulture, I was determined to help farmers manage pests organically and sustainably while also increasing their production," he explains. He adds that the current conventional methods, such as basic night-time lighting, lack both precision and effectiveness. On farms, various moth species affect avocado and horticultural value chains, including flowers. To address this, Mutuma innovated a gadget that features a solar panel, a blue light and a basin filled with soapy water, all mounted on a raised metallic post. Once installed on the farm, the solar panels charge during the day and automatically light and power the blue light in the evening. Moths which typically emerge between 7 and 10 pm are attracted to the blue light and then fall into the basin of soapy water, where they're trapped. Beneficial organisms Mutuma explains, "This gadget specifically targets moths at night, leaving out beneficial organisms and butterflies that are active during the day and play a crucial role in pollination." He adds that Solar Trap is an industrial application, designed for use in agricultural settings, and is not suitable for domestic purposes such as catching or eradicating mosquitoes. The innovation is simple to use, easy to install and requires minimal maintenance. It is designed to withstand harsh conditions on the farm, including rain, dust and direct exposure, and continues to function effectively in both open fields and greenhouse environments. Mutuma has developed two models of Solar Trap - a standard model that covers 1.5 to two acres that uses a basin and soapy water to trap pests, costing Sh13,500 and the Kifaru model that covers up to five acres and uses an electrified metal grid to eliminate pests, going for Sh40,000 each. Mutuma has been working with both small and large-scale farmers in the avocado and horticultural sector, both individually and through cooperatives in Meru, Tharaka Nithi, and Nandi counties. These farmers report significant success in controlling moths using the Solar Trap. Realising that upfront costs may deter some small-scale farmers, Mutuma has introduced Lipa Pole Pole, a flexible payment plan, allowing users to acquire and pay for the gadgets in instalments. One of the biggest challenges for young innovators is financing. "That is why partnerships, especially financial-related ones, are crucial for the growth of ideas and enterprise," Mutuma says. In 2023, he participated in the Agriculture, Youth and Technology (AYuTe) Challenge by Heifer International and won Sh1 million. The AYuTe Challenge is a competition that identifies and empowers young African entrepreneurs to develop and scale agritech solutions. Selected companies receive part of a $1.5 million (Sh156 million) catalytic grant, along with technical support, mentorship and capacity-building support to help scale their solutions and expand their impact. Mutuma says the grant helped establish a strong platform, scale the solution to reach more farmers, and improve the design by incorporating a GPS for enhanced farm security, enabling each gadget to be tracked. Cost saving The farmers using solar traps report significant savings on chemical pesticides. Mutuma explains they have monitored and discovered, in hotter areas like Tharaka Nithi and Chogoria, that previously farmers were spending between Sh50,000 and Sh100,000 per season on pesticides to control moths. He explains: "Ideally, once purchased, the gadget lasts five years with no operational costs. By managing the pests, farmers typically recoup their investment within one season. Mutuma is not concerned about copycats trying to replicate his innovation and perhaps sell it at a cheaper price without understanding the technical skills involved. "Some people tried, using regular bulbs instead of the precise blue wavelength, and their traps failed," he reveals. Beyond pest control, Mutuma has also innovated biofertilisers and biochar that help restore soil fertility, which he says is a major challenge for farmers, particularly in Meru. Looking ahead, Mutuma envisions scaling his innovative solution not only across Kenya but also in East Africa, Uganda, Tanzania and the entire African continent. He believes young people hold the key to transforming agriculture across the value chain.

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