Born from the heart of a fodder crisis that struck her family’s farm in Gabes, Malek Boukthir’s idea was simple on the surface but innovative at its core. She transformed organic waste into sustainable animal feed, launching the “EcoFeed” project, which has since become a model of environmental innovation and an effective tool to support farmers and protect the environment in Tunisia.

“The dream of entrepreneurship has been with me since I was a child, and I truly want to make a difference in my field and in my country… I want my name to be remembered in the history of this nation.” These heartfelt words, filled with pride and determination, were shared by 28-year-old entrepreneur Malek Boukthir from Gabes in southeastern Tunisia, who holds a PhD in chemical engineering. She didn’t stop at her academic work, which focused on environmental protection and the sustainable use of resources. Instead, she began to question the fate of organic waste from Tunisia’s food industries. That’s when the idea came to her: turning this waste into animal feed.

Malek’s dream began in her childhood, in rural Gabes, where she watched her uncle care for his cows every morning, feeding them by hand and calling them by name as if they were his daughters. His small farm was his only source of income. But between 2015 and 2018, Tunisia faced a severe fodder crisis, making it difficult to feed livestock. Her uncle was often forced to sell one cow to feed the others, which was heartbreaking. Deeply moved by this hardship, Malek conceived the idea of “EcoFeed” — a project that plants hope, turns waste into resources, and transforms sorrow into solutions. The goal of the project is to offer an environmentally friendly and economically viable local alternative to imported feed, which is often expensive for small farmers in Tunisia. At the same time, it aims to reduce the agricultural sector’s carbon footprint by locally recycling organic waste. The EcoFeed project is grounded in genuine sustainability.

A Dream Meets Reality

Although the project idea was unique, its founder had to revise it multiple times before arriving at a viable and successful model. At first, Malek’s vision was highly ambitious, but it didn’t fully align with the agricultural reality in Tunisia. She faced difficulties in sourcing raw materials, and some farmers were hesitant to accept the new product. Additionally, production costs were high. This meant she had to go through repeated cycles of testing, evaluation, and adjustment. Malek reformulated the material composition, developed improved processing methods, and redesigned the business model several times to strike a balance between scientific rigor and the project’s economic and social viability.

The journey was far from easy, but it helped her shape an effective and innovative product that responds to the needs of the local market—proving that flexibility and learning from experience are key to the success of any pioneering initiative. One of the major challenges Malek faced was financing, as the project was costly. She was able to overcome this obstacle thanks to her family’s support, her participation in several competitions, and eventually a grant from the European Union.

From Vision to Impact: EcoFeed’s Journey Rooted in Social Innovation and Environmental Commitment

From the very beginning, Malek Boukthir believed that the principles of social and solidarity economy would form the foundation of her project. She found support for this vision through the Jeun’ESS project, an EU-funded initiative that enabled her to turn her idea into reality.

Jeun’ESS is part of the European Union’s EU4Youth programme. It aims to strengthen the social and solidarity economy in Tunisia—particularly in inland regions—by empowering and supporting young people economically. Through this project, Malek received direct financial support that helped her develop the production units for EcoFeed. The project also lent credibility to her initiative, allowing her to expand her business and reach more farmers across the country.

But the support went far beyond funding. Malek also benefited from technical guidance, taking part in training workshops at various stages of project development. She received coaching in areas such as business planning and finance, as well as sustainable production principles—all aimed at adopting environmentally friendly manufacturing practices and minimizing the project’s environmental footprint. Today, EcoFeed operates three production units and distributes its animal feed across different regions of Tunisia.

Biological Processing at the Core of Innovation

Founded by Malek Boukthir, EcoFeed operates based on a circular and innovative model that transforms organic waste into low-cost, natural animal feed—supporting both farmers and the environment. The project collects waste from fish, fruits, vegetables, and olive byproducts sourced from markets and local factories. These are then processed scientifically through drying, fermentation, and biological mixing under the supervision of experts in chemical engineering and animal nutrition. The result is a protein-rich local feed suitable for cows, sheep, and poultry, serving as an eco-friendly and cost-effective alternative to imported feed.

But EcoFeed goes beyond production. It revitalizes the local economy by reintegrating waste into the economic cycle, reducing pollution, and creating green jobs. The project also utilizes clean energy sources and is working on developing mobile processing units to serve remote areas. In parallel, EcoFeed organizes awareness campaigns and workshops for farmers, offering guidance and recommendations to help correct harmful practices—ultimately enabling them to profit without compromising citizens’ purchasing power in the long run.

Malek Boukthir Named Tunisia’s Entrepreneur of the Year 2025

As a crowning achievement, Malek Boukthir received the “Entrepreneur of the Year 2025” award in Tunisia for her work on EcoFeed. The award was presented during the 10th edition of the Tunisian Women Entrepreneurs Awards (FET) held on 24 February 2025, with support from the European Union. This recognition celebrates Malek’s contribution to environmental innovation and the advancement of the circular economy through her pioneering project. It also reflects the EU’s commitment to supporting women-led initiatives in sustainable development and innovation in Tunisia.

In an era when the planet is suffocating under the weight of human pollution—and in Gabes, a heavily industrialized region—Malek chose to listen to the voice of the Earth. What began as a crisis on a small family farm has grown into a national project redefining the meaning of food, innovation, and agricultural dignity. EcoFeed is not just a place where animal feed is made—it is a promise that powerful solutions can sprout from modest wounds, when watered with a woman’s dream, science, and unshakable belief.