The Loden Foundation, in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO Bhutan) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP Bhutan), organized the National Youth-Led Agrifood Innovation Challenge as part of the National Youth Symposium event on August 13, 2024.
We recently concluded the National Youth-Led Agrifood Innovation Challenge, which featured an intensive two-day Critical Skills Training, Networking & Mentoring Sessions, and the main Pitch Day event for our top 10 participants.
The Critical Skills Training took place on August 3rd and 4th at iBEST Institute, Changzamtok. Over two intensive days, the top 10 participants were guided through essential topics, focusing on agrifood systems, business model development, market sizing, and risk management. The sessions provided practical skills in areas such as financial planning, investment readiness, and production risk mitigation, all crucial for preparing participants for the main event and their entrepreneurial journey. The training also included hands-on activities and one-on-one mentoring, ensuring that each participant was well-prepared to pitch their innovative agrifood solutions.
The Networking and Mentoring event was held on August 5 at Urban Dumra, Changzamtok. Ten experienced mentors were invited to lead a dynamic mentoring session as part of the National Youth-Led Agrifood Innovation Challenge. This session provided our 10 participants with the opportunity to engage with experts across various fields, gaining valuable insights and ideas. It was an excellent platform for them to connect, broaden their knowledge, and identify potential mentors to guide them in the future stages of their agrifood ventures.
As part of the National Youth Symposium on August 13, 2024, at Le Méridien, the top 10 participants of the National Youth-Led Agrifood Innovation Challenge pitched their innovative ideas before a panel of judges and a live audience. The winning project, ‘AI-powered Crop Monitoring’ by Phurpa Dorji, a 21-year-old second-year student specializing in AI and Data Science at Gyalpoizhing College of Information Technology, won USD 2,000. Pure Bhutan and Bhutan Astro Food earned second and third prizes, respectively, each receiving a cash award of USD 2,000 for their exceptional business ideas.
Congratulations to all our participants, mentors, and partners for making the National Youth-Led Agrifood Innovation Challenge a success. We look forward to continuing this journey and witnessing the positive impact of these innovative ideas on the agrifood sector.
By Kinley C Tenzin – Communications Officer, Loden Foundation
