They took on the challenge
Season 8
Each year, the Make IT Agri Challenge celebrates innovative student projects dedicated to more sustainable agriculture and food systems. On this page, explore the finalists and winning teams from previous editions: ambitious ideas, concrete solutions, and passionate talent. Plenty to inspire you and maybe spark your own desire to join the adventure!
This project involves installing equipment in wastewater treatment plants to recover nitrogen from wastewater and transform it into fertilizer for agriculture. The solution integrates into existing infrastructure and bridges water treatment with agricultural production, while creating economic value from a stream currently considered waste.
MIN Express is a B2B web application designed as an operational tool to help organize commercial and logistical flows within National Interest Markets (MIN). Its goal is to streamline exchanges, anticipate volumes, secure transactions, and optimize the preparation of purchases and sales, while preserving the historical functioning of MINs based on human relationships.
BeeD’ici is developing an automated picking machine for royal jelly production. In France, 95% of royal jelly is imported from China (275 tons vs. 3 tons produced locally), where labor is cheaper. Our solution automates the transfer of larvae, reducing physical strain and working hours. Robust and simple, it aims to help reshore production, supported by specialized control software and dedicated guidance.
Although essential to the field crop sector, nitrogen fertilizers currently pose a triple challenge for French and European agriculture: cost, dependence on imports, and carbon footprint. What if farmers produced their own nitrogen fertilizer? Our project develops local units, coupled with methanization, to manufacture a low-carbon, economical, and sovereign fertilizer, as close as possible to the farms.
BeeWare is an autonomous system featuring a drone capable of tracking Asian hornets in flight to precisely locate their nests without human intervention. This innovative solution combats an invasive species that poses a serious threat to bees. By facilitating rapid nest detection, BeeWare protects hives, supports beekeepers, and preserves biodiversity while sustainably promoting pollination and colony development.
Composmart is the game that teaches you how to sort bio-waste! Its game-based learning platform, combined with simplified course materials, helps educate and train households in bio-waste management in a fun way. Backed by a map of voluntary drop-off points, everything is designed to support families in daily composting practices, regardless of their initial level or experience!
Maïsk is a decision-support tool using historical climate and agronomic data analysis to anticipate extreme risks such as drought or frost. By modeling yield distribution based on sowing dates and variety choices, it allows farmers to compare various scenarios. The goal is to strengthen the economic and environmental resilience of corn crops.
PureGrain is an integrated solution for the rapid detection of zearalenone, a mycotoxin found in cereals and classified as an endocrine disruptor. It combines a cell-free biosensor, a portable reader, and a mobile application. In 15 minutes, for about €2 per test, farmers obtain reliable results on-site. The app centralizes analysis history and optimizes batch management.
TerraSync makes agroforestry bankable and profitable. As an online platform starting in France and expanding across Europe, it uses field data to improve the reliability of simulations. It recommends the best tree-crop associations, estimates stored carbon and biodiversity, guides administrative procedures, and assists in securing financing. It also projects long-term income.
ZeroWaste Intelligence puts AI at the service of sustainable food. By coupling checkout data with exogenous variables (weather, events), this solution predicts exact demand to turn waste into profit. More than a management tool, it is a concrete lever to secure agricultural outlets and finally respect the product, from farm to fork.
From student projects to real businesses, these teams show how Make IT Agri can be a springboard for turning innovation into concrete impact.