Agri-Business Management graduate Kayode Olukayode was recently awarded a Royal Sustainability Award at the Royal Agriculture Winter Fair for his project on food waste reduction.
Agri-Business Management graduate received the Royal Sustainability Award for his idea on how to tackle food waste.
The fair, featuring Canadian and international breeders, growers, and exhibitors, is the largest combined indoor agriculture fair and international equestrian competition in the world, and is held annually in November in Toronto. The most recent event took place at Exhibition Place from November 6-15.
The Royal Sustainability Awards recognize tech innovators from across Canada for business models or tech-based solutions supporting sustainability in agriculture. First place is awarded $2,000, while second and third place receive $500 each.
The awards evaluate ideas based on innovation, impact, feasibility and presentation. Projects should address agricultural challenges such as climate change, water and labour shortages, and present ideas for reducing waste, preserving resources and increasing resilience. After evaluation rounds, three finalists presented their ideas at the fair.
Olukayode’s award-winning project outlined how insects can be used to recycle and reuse food waste. Black soldier fly larvae are introduced to food scraps. Once the eggs hatch, the flies consume the waste, turning it into organic, nutrient-rich biomass. The product can be used both as compost and, in some cases, as feed for fish or livestock. Not only does this reduce food waste, says Olukayode, but it also reduces greenhouse gas emissions at landfills and relieves pressure on the fish meal industry, which is often used in animal feed.
The alumnus already tested this approach at his farm in his native Nigeria. He was inspired to share his idea and experiences with the Canadian agricultural industry after learning how much food ends up in landfills. “During my studies, I worked at a restaurant. I saw tons of food being thrown in the garbage every day,” he said.
Olukayode highlighted that Conestoga’s Agri-Business Management program inspired him to continue seeking solutions in the industry. “I loved working with the professors; they made me excited to really engage with the subject. And because of my experience on my farm, I asked different questions and was really invested in solving problems. The program has opened my mind to different areas I didn’t consider before.”
“This is a powerful example of what happens when innovative thinking meets real-world agricultural challenges,” said program coordinator and Professor Jeff Huber. “His project is the kind of forward-thinking approach we strive to cultivate.”
“It’s great to be recognized for my project. I see winning this award as a stepping stone to doing more good work and finding more opportunities,” said Olukayode.
He is already thinking about his next steps. He sees his idea as an “eco-cycle community project,” aiming to implement it in a way that benefits everyone. He has contacted local organizations to discuss collaborating on collecting and composting food waste from businesses and private households, in exchange for providing free or low-cost compost or animal feed.
As the demand grows for food and cultivated products for consumer use, the need for individuals who can manage each step of the operation from farm to fork and everything in between grows with it. The Agri-Business Management program provides a strong understanding of the business of agriculture, from finance to agri-business concepts to human resources. The one-year Ontario College Graduate Certificate program enables students to develop the skills needed for managing the resources involved in agriculture to maximize profit while sustainably satisfying the needs of consumers for products.