Entrepreneurship of a Lorestan Woman with Harvesting the Green Gold
Zahra Saki

Zahra Saki, a creative 21-year-old young woman from Lorestan, has extracted nutrients from algae and, as a result, produced the first algae-based aquatic feed product in Iran.

According to Fars News Agency in Lorestan — For most of us, algae might seem like a worthless substance. However, harvesting this green gold—especially at a time when many did not believe in its amazing properties—has become the entrepreneurial path for this young Lorestan woman. In fact, beyond boosting production, it has also put bread on the table for many other young people.

Growing up around aquatic farms due to her father’s profession, and, as she says, knowing fish behavior like the back of her hand, she decided, as she grew older, to continue the family business with a more scientific approach, supported by her family.

Zahra first saw algae farms during a student trip to Khuzestan, which, in turn, sparked the idea of harvesting this green gold in her mind. Following that, she began extracting nutrients from algae in the lab and eventually produced the first algae-based aquatic feed product in Iran. She says: “I am thankful to God that on my entrepreneurial path, I have been able to take a small step for the youth of my province and, moreover, create direct employment for 40 people and indirect employment for over 200 others.”

Harvesting the Green Gold

“My father’s profession is aquatic feed production, and our family concern has always been to strengthen feed formulation for better efficiency. Therefore, I decided to study aquatic-related courses at university and address this family concern scientifically.

Two years ago, at the age of 21, during a student visit to fish farms, I saw algae farms for the first time. That’s when I thought it would be possible to use this green gold in aquatic feed. I returned and began cultivating algae on a laboratory scale. At the time, many believed algae were useless. Nevertheless, I was determined to extract this gold and show its amazing effects to everyone.

Until then, algae had not been used in aquatic feed production, and, as a result, my idea was registered for the first time at the Science and Technology Park. By using this nutritious material, I gained high satisfaction from aquaculture farmers regarding the feed.”

On the Path of Entrepreneurship and Achieving Ideal Feed

“At first glance, using algae might seem uneconomical due to its high cost. However, depending on the extraction method, it is possible not only to reduce costs but also to gain many advantages. Indeed, adding algae to aquatic feed is considered an additive, and adding any additive ultimately increases the final price for producers.

As I mentioned earlier, my family’s profession is aquaculture, and economic issues such as producing high-quality and affordable feed have always been a priority. Consequently, I tried to solve this problem by developing an effective extraction method and by adding omega fatty acids to the algae.

In the beginning, I tried to make the feed appealing to fish so that, besides weight gain, nutrients would reach the aquatic body. Therefore, I started producing the first algae-based aquatic feed sample.”

Using nutritious algae reduces the feed conversion ratio, improves fish health, keeps the pond water clean, produces high-quality carcasses, and ultimately increases productivity. In fact, with the mass production of this feed, we have not only addressed the aquaculture concern regarding feed conversion ratio reduction, but we have also controlled juvenile fish mortality by adding nutrients early in the feed.

“Currently, with the establishment of an aquatic feed factory, we are the largest feed producer in western Iran, annually producing 8,000 tons of feed based entirely on algae extraction, distributed nationally and internationally.”

Exports and Foreign Exchange Earnings with Green Gold

“I now have another idea underway, which has received positive international feedback, and I am pursuing its mass production nationally. In recent years, there has been a strong emphasis on knowledge-based production. Therefore, this time, with an innovative and technical technology based on increasing feed attractiveness and optimizing feed, I am working on reducing production costs and increasing productivity.”

“In this idea, by creating a nutrient band, the feed gains the necessary attraction for aquatic animals. For instance, adding a band to puffed snacks makes them appealing to the general public and encourages consumption. We imagined a similar concept for fish and have started producing it on a small scale.”

“This project, which is the first of its kind in Iran, has received positive international feedback. By exporting algae-extracted feed, we have not only reduced costs and increased production for producers, but also earned foreign exchange for the country.”

“Despite much emphasis on supporting entrepreneurs, knowledge-based companies do not receive enough support for creative ideas and often face bureaucratic hurdles and administrative obstacles during production. Although I have visited banks, I have not yet received supportive loans, which has caused the factory—capable of producing 20,000 tons—to produce only 8,000 tons of feed.”