BY: Michelle Liew
The pandemic gave time and way for many to learn new things and due to shortages and shops closing down, some would even have to take the time to come up with new solutions to replace the old.
This young schoolgirl, on the other hand, managed to stun the entire nation with her latest invention of an innovative livestock feed.
11-year-old Maryam Muzamir came up with a new form of livestock feed made out of ground shrimp and sea snail shell, naming her product ‘YAM 2.0’. The invention landed her three prestigious awards at the recent International Invention Innovation Competition (iCAN) in Toronto, Canada.
Maryam is currently a Standard Five pupil at SK (P) Methodist Kuantan. She already won numerous local awards for her YAM 2.0 this year but her father managed to convince her to take her creation to the international arena.
Without a doubt, Maryam’s magnificent and clever invention secured the gold medal, the Canadian Special Award and the Best Young Inventor Aware at iCAN 2021.
Some of Maryam’s biggest inspirations is youth climate activist Greta Thunberg. Maryam has a goal of tackling the reported 15,000 tonnes of food waste produced nationwide on the daily. The idea for YAM 2.0 stemmed from one of her family trips to the seafood restaurants and the coastline there. She noticed just how much waste was being produced, especially the amount of shells being dumped.
Through her research, she discovered that shells contain the compound chitin and is beneficial towards livestock. She addressed the gap in the livestock supply chain and explained how prices of meat has been increasing for the past few years.
“Based on our observation, the cost to produce YAM 2.0 is lower compared to conventional animal feed products, and it can be used to feed chicken, goats, fish, and even pigs,” Maryam was quoted as saying by the English daily.
“Since the product is cost-effective, it will help control the production cost in the supply chain… YAM 2.0 is an affordable and high-quality solution.”
Congratulations Maryam and we hope to see more great inventions!
