The BOOST Fellowship in partnership with SeedCo launched the SeedCo – BOOST Innovation Challenge in 2018. The project seeks to enhance the capacities of young people in Universities and Colleges of Agriculture to develop innovative and technological ideas that create value for SeedCo as well as improving farmer’s livelihoods in Zimbabwe. SeedCo and BOOST joined hands in looking for ideas or concepts which can be developed into solutions.
A total of 144 applications or ideas were submitted to BOOST and the ideas went through a rigorous process of assessment resulting in 10 best ideas being selected. BOOST conducted a 3-day presentation skills workshop to sharpen the ideas and make them marketable. An awards ceremony was held at SeedCo where the 10 ideas were presented to SeedCo, BOOST management and staff and members of the media fraternity. The challenge led to the promotion of innovation, which is key in boosting the agricultural sector. The ideas are being incubated at various SeedCo departments ensuring that they develop the expected prototypes which will be scaled up into finer products in the next 6 months.