By our Correspondent
Nigerian ‘Zebra CropBank,’ an Agri-tech startup founded by serial social entrepreneur Buffy Okeke-Ojiudu, has emerged as the World Food Forum Innovation of the Year “Startup Innovation Award’ in the ‘Better Production’ Category at the United Nations (FAO) World Food Forum (WFF) in Rome.
Zebra CropBank, selected from a competitive pool of over 400 agri-focused companies across 69 countries, outshone the competition as one of the final 8 contestants.
The event, hosted at the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), brought together a global community of innovators, investors, and experts committed to advancing impactful solutions within the realm of food systems.
Beth Bechdol, FAO Deputy Director-General, opened the event by emphasizing the critical role of climate action and innovation in ensuring equitable access to nutritious food worldwide.
She said the core of Zebra CropBank’s success is its revolutionary post-harvest service platform, providing farmers with the means to store and monetize their produce.
The startup’s network of electronic warehouses holds promise for transforming food and agriculture supply chains, offering income opportunities for farmers, particularly in local and remote areas of Africa.
“Zebra CropBank, selected from a competitive pool of over 400 agri-focused companies across 69 countries, outshone the competition as one of the final 8 contestants” she said.
Buffy Okeke-Ojiudu while expressing his excitement, noted that receiving the ‘Global Startup Innovation Award’ in the ‘Better Production’ category was a thrilling acknowledgment for Zebra CropBank.
He said to be honored with the ‘WORLD FOOD FORUM INNOVATION OF THE YEAR’ underscores the global impact Nigeria aspire to reshaping the agricultural landscape.
