Chris Pharaoh, a 30-year-old University of Malawi graduate, has pioneered an innovative incubator control unit system to reduce reliance on costly imported controllers.
Pharaoh, holding a Bachelor of Science in Information Systems, was driven by the hefty price tag of imported controllers from China and neighbouring countries, ranging from K120,000 to K190,000.
He designed a locally produced unit, slashing costs to approximately K50,000 to manufacture and K65,000 to sell.
The control unit regulates temperature, humidity and alarm systems, ensuring optimal hatching environments for chicks.
Notably, it operates on both AC (220V) and DC (12V) power sources, catering to areas with inconsistent power supply.
Pharaoh faces financial constraints, with current funding covering only material costs. Despite this, he’s determined to patent, register and mass-produce the unit.
“This innovation will reduce dependency on imported incubator control units, lower operational costs for poultry farmers and create opportunities for local manufacturing and supply chains,” Pharaoh emphasized.
