1. Small-Scale Spirulina Farms
D-Lab Pro I: Final Presentation
Chelsea Supawit, Danielle Maillard, Kia Canning, Lauren Chew

2. Problem Definition Idea: family-based Spirulina operations
We determined the feasibility of small-scale spirulina farms in Djibouti.
Malnutrition affects the health of many Djiboutians.
Idea: family-based Spirulina operations
What is the problem we are addressing?
Add map of Djibouti

3. Project Vision Danielle
The type of cement manufactured in Djibouti is Grade 42.5 OPC (Ordinary Portland Cement). It’s located in the région of Ali Sabieh and its packaging is in 50 KG bags ( 50 KG: 6,75 Dollar, 1Ton: 135 Dollar) - usually will use cement but plastic is also used Harvesting - seven days after planting, product is ready to be harvested, Spirulina turned every two hours Harvested crop set to dry for two days

4. Methodology 01 02 03 04 Needs Assessment & Project Framing
Client interviewed households
Alternatives Analysis 02
Examining various malnutrition approaches
Prior Art 03
Case studies
SWOT Analysis 04
Conversations with client and online research
Lauren

5. Results: Needs Assessment & Project Framing
10 households interviewed
Project framing changed client’s perspective
Moved from urban focus to rural focus
Client wants to begin awareness initiative
Client became more aware of sourcing challenges
Chelsea
We had doubts about going straight into design of small scale spirulina farms so we took steps back and encouraged our client to conduct a needs assessment via interviews. After the interviews, she took our recommendation of changing the framing of the project by first creating an awareness campaign

6. Methodology 01 02 03 04 Needs Assessment & Project Framing
Client interviewed households
Alternatives Analysis 02
Examining various malnutrition approaches
Prior Art 03
Case studies
SWOT Analysis 04
Conversations with client and online research
Lauren

7. Alternatives to Spirulina
Brainstorm & Initial Elimination
Research on malnutrition approaches
Elimination Reasons
Decision Matrix
Rated using criteria
Lauren

8. Methodology 01 02 03 04 Needs Assessment & Project Framing
Client interviewed households
Alternatives Analysis 02
Examining various malnutrition approaches
Prior Art 03
Case studies
SWOT Analysis 04
Conversations with client and online research
Lauren

9. Results: Case Studies Kenya: IIMSAM
Successful training programs, production
Treating vulnerable populations (>200)
Financial capital
Market constraints
India: Murugappa Chettiar Research Centre
Resolved inorganic nutrient market constraint
Food safety
Chelsea: These were the most notable case studies that helped guide our project, both organizations have a successful spirulina production in place
Kenya
IIMSAM organizes courses on spirulina business ventures, produces and sells spirulina cultures and its consumable forms
distributes it to over 200 malnourished children and HIV/AIDS patients in the region.
Lacks a reliable & consistent financial capital (dependent on donors)
therefore, production cannot keep up with market demand, unable to open up operations in other countries/ sell it (reliable distributors)
India: Murugappa Chettiar Research Centre
organic nutrient sources like waste effluents to tackle the market constraint of cost and availability of inorganic nutrients.
Spirulina is grown in mud pots using the waste effluent medium and stirred by hand by local producers.
Using waste effluents means that there's greater risk of contamination of species like e.coli

10. Methodology 01 02 03 04 Needs Assessment & Project Framing
Client interviewed households
Alternatives Analysis 02
Examining various malnutrition approaches
Prior Art 03
Case studies
SWOT Analysis 04
Conversations with client and online research
Lauren

11. Results: SWOT Analysis
STRENGTHS
-Team experience
-Passionate client
WEAKNESSES
- Limited communication and direct access to community
- Lack of startup capital
- Lack of construction experience
OPPORTUNITIES
- Conducive climate
- Health need for spirulina
-Grants to apply for
THREATS
- Community members aren’t aware of malnutrition
- Lack of community interest
- Extreme climate, water scarcity
- Lack of local inputs
- Not initially income generating
Kia
Emphasize serious weaknesses and threats
IIMSAAM $60,000 for small-scale operation
More heavily weighted

12. Recommendations Community Asset Mapping Education Partnerships
Local institutions
Citizen associations
Individual aspects
Education
Malnutrition
Spirulina’s benefits
Partnerships
Funding
Resources
Material Accessibility
Chemical input “kits”
Find skilled labor (concrete)
Danielle

13. Next Steps The project should not continue into D-Lab II
Questions/Ideas
Rural vs urban implementation
Sourcing materials
Building a team, finding credible leaders for education and delivery
Funding
Developments in semi-nomadic communities
Danielle