Algae Made Me Famous

Zahra Saki, with her ideas, has directly created job opportunities for the people of Lorestan.

Mahmoud Molaei – Journalist

Zahra Saki, a young woman from Lorestan, is known as a successful 21-year-old entrepreneur, though she is now 23, and it has been two years since she implemented her first idea. These days, Saki is working on her second idea to surprise everyone. The spark for this idea ignited when she first saw algae farms during a student trip to Khuzestan. In the laboratory, she extracted nutrients from algae and subsequently produced the first algae-based aquafeed product in Iran. On her entrepreneurial journey, she managed to take a small step for the youth of the province, creating direct employment for 40 people and indirect opportunities for more than 200.

Zahra Saki, from Doroud County in Lorestan, who holds a degree in Fisheries Engineering, responds to questions from Hamshahri Newspaper in this interview.

You are known as a young entrepreneur from Lorestan who has made significant achievements in the fisheries sector, especially in aquafeed. How did you enter this field?

When I was 19-20 years old and about to graduate, I worked in a laboratory of an aquafeed company. My responsibility was feed analysis, and my concern was to improve feed formulation. At that time, algae-based aquafeeds were produced with grading, and the goal was to use a grade that was beneficial. So everything started during my university days, and through my studies, these ideas came to mind.

Your first idea was to produce algae-based aquafeed. How did this idea come to fruition?

Producing algae-based aquafeed was my first idea, which I implemented two years ago. This feed is now commercialized and has even been exported. Fortunately, I received good feedback on the aquafeed, but to reduce costs, I invented a device that is now in production.

Two years after implementing this idea, you invented a device that has gained much attention. Could you explain?

The device I invented was designed to enhance the attractiveness of the feed for aquatic animals. It sprays a thin layer onto the feed using air pressure and compressors. This not only increases efficiency but also makes the feed more appealing to aquatic animals.

Do these activities also help with the export of aquatic animals, especially fish?

One important factor in the market and foreign exchange earnings from fish farming is improving the quality of fish carcasses, strengthening their color and texture, and achieving the necessary firmness in the flesh. My invention benefits both fish farmers and feed producers.

As a young entrepreneur, what future do you envision for yourself?

Just being able to implement my ideas is enough for me. Currently, my goal is to bring the ideas I have in mind to fruition, all of which are related to the production and farming of aquatic animals.