2005 Economic Development Award Laureate
Malnutrition Matters
| Laureate Country: Canada |
| Project Countries: Benin, Guinea, India, Mozambique, North Korea, South Africa |
| Website: www.malnutrition.org |
| Video: 2005Videos/Malnutrition_Matters.mov |
Project Overview:
Malnutrition Matters designed the VitaGoat system to benefit people in villages and rural areas of developing countries, by providing sustainable employment on a micro-enterprise basis and improving nutrition. The VitaGoat is fabricated in the developing world, via low-cost technology transfers, without royalties or licensing fees to Malnutrition Matters.
Problem Addressed:
In rural areas of the developing world there is a lack of sustainable employment, especially for under-skilled women. Supplementing local diets with affordable protein and preserving seasonal oversupplies of local produce without the need for electricity, refrigeration or complex canning plants are also significant challenges in developing countries.
Technology Solution:
The VitaGoat is a system for processing locally available produce including soybeans, fruits, vegetables, and cereals. This system requires no electricity and consists of a pedal powered grinding/mashing unit, a highly efficient steam boiler that can use wood, dung chips, coal or gas to produce super-heated steam, a steam-injected pressure-cooking vessel and, a mechanical filter press. The VitaGoat enables quick preparation of protein-rich foods such as soymilk and tofu that are highly beneficial for protein-deficient diets and especially for people living with HIV/AIDS. With this project, Malnutrition Matters creates employment opportunities and provides training and tech support.
