We, AnnaMei Feitsma, Margaux Mordac, and Julie van Putte, are going to Djougou, Benin, as part of the International Entrepreneurship and Development minor at Delft University of Technology. There, we will work on a project aimed at strengthening the poultry sector by developing a sustainable and affordable solar-powered incubator. We are carrying out this project in collaboration with the Lycée Technique Agricole de Djougou (LTA), an agricultural school where young farmers and students are trained to become future-oriented entrepreneurs.
In Benin, poultry farming is an important source of income, but farmers face significant challenges. Due to frequent power outages and the lack of affordable incubators, a large proportion of egg hatches have failed. Our goal is to address this problem by working with students and teachers to build a low-cost, solar-powered incubator made largely from recycled materials. As a first step, we will develop a prototype together with LTA students, converting an old refrigerator into a large incubator. This will be powered by a small solar system with a battery and a charge controller, ensuring the incubator continues to function even during power outages. This makes hatching eggs more reliable, less expensive, and more environmentally friendly.
We will also organize workshops and demonstrations where students learn how to build, maintain, and improve the incubator. This way, we not only increase the technical knowledge but also the self-reliance of young farmers. By combining co-creation and local education, knowledge is retained within the community and the technology can spread further.
During this process, we greatly appreciate the input of students, teachers, and local farmers. Our goal is to raise awareness of the importance of sustainable technology and knowledge sharing in agriculture, so that young people in Benin remain motivated to remain active in this rapidly growing sector.
