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Alysha and Ezinma win the second Wageningen Youth Institute with their research on mycorrhiza symbiosis
High school students Alysha Blomker and Ezinma Herler investigated the role of mycorrhiza fungi in soil, in order to make soil more resistant to stress factors such as drought. With their research and advice, they have won this year's competition and will participate in the Global Youth Institute of the World Food Prize Foundation in Des Moines in October 2019.
Alysha and Ezinma see great advantages in spreading these fungi widely among farmers in order to contribute to a more sustainable and productive agriculture.
Solutions to ensure global food security
The competition is intended as inspiration for the next generation (students 5 HAVO / 5 & 6 VWO) to express ideas and advice for a better world. The participants were looking for a solution to one of the biggest challenges that we face in the world: How do we feed the world in a sustainable way?
Other students have conducted research on meat substitutes, hydroponics, veganism and on the positive effects of female villages in Liberia.
Impressive ideas
The jury was impressed with the ideas of the students. The jury consisted of education director Arnold Bregt, Mineke Rezelman; consultant Banking for Food, Education & Engagement at Rabobank, Joris Lohman; Director of Food Hub and one of last year's winners; Marloes Ruiter. The jury assessed the entries on content, story telling, drive and passion, vlogs, feasibility and research. All entries had their own strengths. Ultimately, the choice fell on the research of Alysha Blomker and Ezinma Herler.
