Title : Sustainable Spirulina production: Towards a new entrepreneurship and social inclusiveness to combat malnutrition
Abstract:
Spirulina (Spirulina platensis) belongs to the family Arthrospira is a free-floating filamentous microalgae belonging to the class Cyanobacteria. Early studies conducted on Spirulina were based basically on the nutritional properties of Spirulina as it’s a highly nutritious food with vitamins and minerals. According to USDA Food Composition Database, Dried Spirulina contains 60-70% protein, 24% carbohydrates, 8% fat (Khan et al., 2005, Campoonella et al., 2002). It’s a complete protein source meaning it has all the essential amino acids. It’s also exceptionally high in macro and micro nutrients and essential fatty acids like Alpha- linoleic acid, Gamma- linoleic acid (Colla et al., 2003, Golmakani et al., 2012), stearidonic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid arachidonic acid etc. (Tokusoglu et al., 2003). It contains a powerful plant-based protein called phycocyanin. Research shows this may have antioxidant, pain-relief, anti-inflammatory, and brain-protective properties. Many antioxidants in spirulina have anti-inflammatory effects in the body. In a country where the diet is dominated by cereal crops (about 70% plus) a diversified nutrient source is a must. Securing nutrition should be the first priority and this is where Spirulina comes in. The scope for the cultivation of Spirulina is high in Bangladesh.
Spirulina is one of the world's most environmentally efficient crops. Spirulina produces twenty times more protein per acre than other commonly grown crops such as corn and even soybeans while using ten times less water to produce it. Spirulina cultivation in general is a very space efficient practice. Spirulina is mainly cultivated in open tanks throughout the world, so the chance of contamination and maintaining high quality nutrition status is a challenge. Spirulina production is more profitable than vegetable or fruit cultivation. Several reports proved that spirulina commercial cultivation showed 4.5-5.0 benefit cost ration (BCR) and it is highly profitable for the growers.
Spirulina production in closed tank: Spirulina production in closed tank method is found more cost effective, contamination-free with high-nutritional value comparing to the conventional production method. This spirulina production in closed tank system is an alternative agricultural income generating activities in the areas where crops cannot produce due to climate change due to increasing salinity in the southern part of Bangladesh. Furthermore, closed tank system will have new urban prospect in dense metropolitan cities. Rooftop owners can easily install the system in their rooftops as it will be fully automated system, it requires very little labor and will definitely ensure nutritional demands.
Training conducted: Last 2 years, we have provided hands-on training to 250 aspiring agri-entrepreneurs (above 75% women participants) on spirulina production under closed technique. Many more are expressing interest in doing this training. Some of trained person have started to produce spirulina in small scale and a few started as commercially. Some of the spirulina entrepreneur started to produce value addition products and started online business. Due to global warming or climate change, coastal areas are unable to produce crops due to increasing soil salinity. Special women and youth have lost their jobs as well as reduced their income. Training on spirulina production technology is encouraging the women and youth to involve with spirulina production and marketing. As spirulina business will increase their income as well as reduce the nutritional deficiency of the people.
Plan for entrepreneurship development with spirulina: Self-help groups should be formed with women and youth (3-5 members/group) in different coastal areas where they cannot produce crops due to salinity. Group members will be trained on sustainable low-cost spirulina production and value-added product development. Approximately 10-12 bucket (500L size) spirulina will be produced by single self-help group. 15-20 more such self-help groups will be created for spirulina production under the technical supervision of skilled staff. Another self-help group will go around and will collect fresh spirulina from the spirulina growers’ groups. This group will dry the spirulina and will market it directly as dry spirulina or value-added spirulina. All the self-help groups members will become spirulina entrepreneur and will be empowered.
Conclusion: Women and youths are getting interest on spirulina and becoming entrepreneurs with spirulina in Bangladesh and being economically self-reliant by getting job opportunities to women and youth who have become dependent due to the adverse effects of the environment. Here the disabled can also come as spirulina production and marketing entrepreneurs. Furthermore, high nutritive spirulina has opened the door to use against malnutrition among children, women and the elderly peoples in Bangladesh.
