The Future Food-AgTech Festival 2023 in Malaysia, themed "GoodFood4All", was a significant event that spotlighted sustainable and innovative food solutions. Organized by Impact Circle in tandem with COP28, it convened Agri-Foodtech companies and advocates to address three core areas: food technology innovations for safer and more delightful products, the environmental impact of food production methods, and the shift towards wellness with nutritious and ethically produced food​​.

At the vibrant MarketPlace, the festival featured a diverse array of participants, highlighting the latest in alternative proteins, artisanal foods, agrifoodtech solutions, and innovative foods aimed at children's health and well-being. This assortment of exhibitors demonstrates the festival's commitment to providing quality food for all, while fostering a creative hub for entrepreneurs, innovators, and health enthusiasts​​.

The alternative protein stalls likely showcased sustainable protein sources like plant-based meats and lab-grown options, responding to the growing demand for eco-friendly and animal-free protein. Artisanal food stalls would have celebrated unique flavors and craftsmanship in food creation, emphasizing the value of traditional methods and niche gourmet products. Agrifoodtech solutions would have been represented by tech-forward agriculture, focusing on efficient and sustainable food production. Innovative foods might have included cutting-edge culinary creations, possibly with new flavors, textures, and cooking methods designed to redefine the food experience​​.

Introduction of two companies that exhibited

Nanka
Nanka is a Malaysian foodtech startup that has received funding from the Lever Foundation's LF Growth Fund. It’s a plant-based meat brand focusing on products made from jackfruit and plant protein, marking the fund's first investment in a Malaysian company. The Lever Foundation actively invests in the alternative protein category with a mission to create a more humane and sustainable protein supply chain in Asia. Nanka aims to offer healthier dietary options to Malaysians and targets meat-eaters with their jackfruit-based products, which mimic a fibrous meat-like texture. While not all products are entirely meat-free, as some are blended with chicken and beef, Nanka is working to increase its production capacity, R&D capabilities, and online presence to penetrate international markets​​.

Entomal Biotech

Entomal is a Malaysia-based biotechnology company specializing in biowaste treatment and the upcycling of organic by-products using Black Soldier Fly (BSF) larvae. Their work focuses on creating a circular economy to address issues like food security and climate change. BSF larvae are used for their bioconversion abilities, transforming waste into environmentally friendly products. Entomal produces insect-based nutrients for pet, livestock, and aquaculture feed, promoting sustainable development and higher quality protein sources. They emphasize the importance of a sustainable protein source in the context of a growing global population and the need for regenerative economic models.

Entomal has developed a mobile waste solution called the EMBC, which is a system contained within a standard shipping container size of 20 feet x 8 feet, capable of treating up to one tonne of food waste each month​​. They are working on constructing this unit for the Shah Alam City Council's recycling centre, which will serve to process organic waste into products like fertilizers and animal feed​​. The industry for animal feed using Black Soldier Fly (BSF) larvae is expected to grow rapidly in the next decade, with a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of around 25% to 30%​​. Plans are also in place to establish a larger central plant in Shah Alam that could process 10 tonnes of food waste daily, with the broader goal to scale this operation significantly, acknowledging the current food waste generation of 2,000 tonnes per day in Selangor alone​​.

This convergence of ideas and solutions at the Future Food-AgTech Festival 2023 provided a glimpse into the potential for a food system that marries nutrition, environment, and well-being thoughtfully, aiming for a future where food is a source of wellness and joy in harmony with the planet​​.