An Eastern Cape-born businessman will be representing South Africa at the Cleantech Open Global Forum competition next February in Silicon Valley in America for his innovative use of dehydrated worms to make animal feed.

Bandile Dlabantu‚ who won R120‚000 after winning first place in the local competition‚ said his dream was to expand his brand to other African countries.

“I’m excited. This has opened a lot of opportunities. There is traction on partnership and investments too. I would like to see the product expanding throughout South Africa and East African countries. The project started three years ago and a lot of sacrifices went into it. At times we had to go without salaries. Things were not always great‚ things take time‚” Dlabantu said.

The product can be fed to a number of insect-eating reptiles and birds‚ and can also be used as a protein and energy source in formulated diets for mono-gastric animals like chickens‚ pigs and fish.

The feed by Dlabantu’s company‚ Khepri Meal™‚ is said to be cheaper than conventional feed‚ reducing the cost of animal farming.

Source: South Africa Sunday Times // Original Article