Lilongwe-based prolific innovator Innocent Mandili has finished second in this year’s ICT Association of Malawi (ICTAM) Agritech category award for his progressive innovation in agriculture.
Mandili, 19, has emerged second, fending off competition from hundreds of other innovators across the country.
He was presented with the award at the ICTAM annual general meeting and Lakeshore meeting Innovation awards held in Mangochi district from the 20th to the 23rd of November, 2024.
During the ceremony, dozens of innovators were presented with awards in the National Bank of Malawi sponsored category of ICTAM Innovation Jam.
Mandili graced the podium after submitting an eco-friendly and cost-effective automated organic fertilizer production system that converts agricultural wastes like Maize husks and sugarcane rind into organic fertilizer.
The innovator, who is a first-year student at the Malawi University of Science and Technologies (MUST), and Chief Executive Officer of a company called Mi technologies has told ProjectM in an interview that he is excited with the win.
“For me, this win simply means the judges were impressed with my project and I don’t take that kind of recognition for granted,” Mandili said.
Mandili’s organic fertilizer, an innovation which was also extensively covered on ProjectM platforms, is a game-changing innovation that has given farmers an option for cheaper and reliable Fertilizers.
Mandili has been awarded a sum of K1 million to help him develop his innovation further.
The latest award adds to numerous awards Mandili has won having also scooped this year’s SADC CEANGAL Project local Innovation award for developing a Thermo El Stove device.
The device, which is used for cooking, is also capable of generating electricity.
“For me, these awards are just a testimony of the wonderful work we are doing as MI Technologies in ensuring that Malawi is developing technologically,” said Mandili.
