Powered By Enviu joins partnership to realize first-of-its-kind plant-based meat solution in Rwanda

Photo source: One Acre Fund

Enviu is excited to announce it has joined One Acre Fund and Wageningen University and Research to realize a nutritious plant-based protein food solution as an affordable alternative to meat in Rwanda. The product is made from smallholder-sourced, climate-resilient, and nature-positive crops that are locally cultivated, supporting the transition to future-proof farming practices and income.

“Plant-based protein products that serve as a more affordable alternative to meat can really be a triple win for food systems, delivering benefits for people, planet, and prosperity. With this initiative, we aim to boost farmer incomes for nature-positive crops, increase the supply of affordable and safe quality protein to address protein-energy malnutrition in a

sustainable way, extend the shelf-life and reduce the cooking time for quality protein, and invest in local economic development,” said Sarah Lahaye of One Acre Fund.

The partnership fits perfectly into Enviu’s mission to make regenerative agriculture work in East Africa. “One of the bigger challenges with the transition to more nature-positive farming is creating a viable futureproof model for farmers and supporting them in transitioning towards that new

model,” says Michiel Elich of Enviu. “Tapping into the high demand for an affordable alternative to meat can be a perfect way to drive more regenerative agriculture and at the same time improve food security in Rwanda.”

Enviu joins the partnership through its new as-a-service proposition Powered by Enviu, unlocking Enviu’s unique experience in disruptive business modeling and venturing for a circular and sustainable system.

The partnership brings Enviu together with One Acre Fund - sub-Saharan Africa’s largest service provider to smallholder farmers, working with over 700,000 farmers in Rwanda — and one of the world’s leading universities in Food Science and Technology, Wageningen University and Research. Implementation of the concept is expected to start in Q2. The partnership is still looking for additional partners to support the financial and operational viability of the initiative.