Dear Sir/Madam,
My name is Arthur Chomba Eldred and I am a semi finalist in
the GIST TECH-I competition. This is
an annual competition for science and technology entrepreneurs sponsored by the
U.S. State Department and implemented by the American Association for the
Advancement of Science (AAAS). Aspiring innovators submit their ideas and
startups online in an application consisting of an executive summary and
promotional video. Their applications are then reviewed by experts to select
the semi finalists. Our start up
was one of the 76 semi-finalists picked out of 792 entries reviewed by experts.
The next stage is to get voted on by the global voting public in order to
determine the finalists who will attend the Global Entrepreneurship Summit
(GES), this year in Kenya. Tech-I winners, selected by experts at the GES, win
mini-grants, and receive one-on-one mentorship and training.
The idea I
submitted was about manufacturing the conservation agriculture (CA) equipment I
developed when I was working for GART as a researcher. Our niche technology is
a multipurpose ox-drawn no-till planter that can also be used for ripping or strip
tillage. We have also prepared a draft training manual for the promotion of CA.
These were developed as part of the global and national drive to promote
sustainable agriculture to help combat climate change and improve farm
productivity.
CA is a modern
approach towards farming that presents exciting opportunities to reduce labor,
reduce costs and improve yields especially when combined with appropriate
mechanization. The result is more employment opportunities, less poverty and
economic development. So let us together modernize and commercialize small-scale
farming by supporting our innovations. We are seeking the help of you or your
organization to expose our project and get as many people to vote for us. Please
forward this massage to as many people as possible. Details of my application
and voting can be done on this website; gistnetwork.org/tech-i/vote. I have also attached a soft copy of a
brochure for the planter and a letter confirming my participation in the competition. Your assistance will be most appreciated.
Thanks,
Arthur Chomba
Eldred
Phone: +260 968 260
442, +260 974 302032