Kontama is a purpose-driven company rooted in the principles of circular bioeconomy, bridging science and tradition to offer sustainable food innovations and biofertilizer solutions. With two specialized divisions — Kontama Foods and Kontama Soil Lab — we harness agricultural and organic waste to create products that nourish both people and the planet.
Growing up in Kalindi, Billiri Local Government Area, an oasis in the Tangale region of northern Nigeria, Idi’s childhood was characterized by small-scale farming. Figs, shea trees, gum arabic, tamarinds, cucumbers, carob and baobab grew here in abundance. This lush and diverse vegetation was both a playground and a pantry for Idi – and the basis for a natural and healthy diet.
But in the course of just five decades, the conditions in Idi’s homeland have changed dramatically. The desert continued to spread. The once flourishing landscape has developed into a barren and infertile area. The sight of trees has become a rarity. This dramatic change has inspired Idi to campaign against further destruction of the environment and for sustainable living.
With his specialization in food engineering and bioprocess technology, Idi came to Germany as a postdoctoral fellow of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation. Here he worked on the biorefinery of Typha capensis as environmentally friendly alternatives to fossil raw materials. In towing the path of entrepreneurship in line with healthy and sustainable products, Idi found out the amazing possibilities of processing mushrooms into nutritionally dense, and tasty dried food snacks – mushroom jerky. He founded PilzFreunde (now Kontama Foods) and develops sustainable and healthy food snacks with his team.
Idi is particularly proud of the first Pilzfreundes’s product – Mushroom jerky, a delicious snack made from dried mushrooms. His findings revealed that besides being one of the most sustainable vegetable, mushroom is rich in dietary fibre, complex carbs and omega 3s, such that a bite quenches hunger. The mushroom Jerky is therefore the perfect snack for health enthusiasts, fitness freaks and anyone who likes to eat consciously. Mushroom jerky is available in three tempting flavors: mild, scharf feurig.
Idi’s journey from an active childhood in Tangale country to entrepreneur shows his tireless commitment to sustainability, healthy living and community empowerment. With Pilzfreunde mushroom jerky, Idi wants to share a piece of his heritage and vision with the world – as a delicious, sustainable snack.