Food Challenge
Shea Nourishing Food Kit
According to the United Nations, the global population is estimated to reach 10 billion by 2050. Unfortunately, the people and the planet are currently ill-equipped to support a population of that size. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, more than 25% of the global population do not receive adequate nutrients and 1 in 9 people go hungry each day. This is where Project Shea comes in – the Shea Nourishing Food Kit aims to amplify the discourse on the state and future of the many food systems in the world and to inspire communities around the world to become protagonists of a food-secure future. Envisioning a new future for our food system requires collaboration across academia, start-ups, industries and the society to look beyond silos and function as one.
Challenge
If the Shea Nourishing Food Kit resonates with you, you are invited to participate in the Shea Food Challenge. Participants must provide innovative technology-based solutions for a sustainable and low-carbon global food system that provides nutrition with minimal environmental impact. The system should also provide a pathway to overcome the current challenges and address the following interconnected aspects: the environment, economy, culture, food and technology. The Shea Food Challenge encourages solutions that:
- Support minimum produce of 1 kg per day per person and meet the requirements of a balanced diet: 50% carbs; 30% protein; 20% fat.
- Take the integrated framing approach.
- Optimise the use of natural resources and inputs such as water, soil, seeds and fertiliser to minimise waste and contamination.
- Decrease carbon emissions, land-use change, nutrient runoff and water pollution while sustaining productivity and improving yield.
- Encourage the shift towards low-impact, diverse and nutritious diets, including low-carbon protein options.
- Promote novel, inexpensive and efficient ways of significantly extending the life of fresh food by monitoring the quality of crops and food, thereby minimising spoilage.
Hybrid System
Smart Controls and Monitoring
Harvesting and
Maintenance
Local Plant Species
Requirements
The Nourishing Food Kit is seeking creative, humanity-centred and technology-based solutions to meet our global food challenges. The Shea Food Challenge will favour solutions that emphasise on:
- Concept: Feasibility and buildability of the idea.
- Prototype: Whether the idea can be executed in reality.
- Growth: Ability to be rolled out in one or several communities, and poised for further growth in multiple communities or countries.
- Scalability: Ability to build and grow in a shorter time frame while focusing on increased efficiency.
- Affordability: Cost-effective and easy to maintain.
- Visualisation: Must include (but not limited to) drawings, showing innovative details and integrated aspects of design.
Evaluation
- Submit to project-shea@ntu.edu.sg
- Eligibility Criteria: Anyone from anywhere in the world can submit a solution to the Shea Food Challenge. You can be an individual, a team, or a start-up.
- Alignment: The solution uses technology to address the challenge.
- Potential for Impact: Implementation of the proposed solution has a low impact on the environment.
- Feasibility: The proposed solution is feasible to build.
- Innovative Approach: Use of sustainable and energy-efficient technology.
- Scalability: The solution can be scaled within a short time frame to help the communities.
