Operating without the need for any electricity supply or generator, it uses locally-available fuels, including wood or other biomass, or bottled gas, for the cooking section of the operation.
Malnutrition Matters, a Canadian registered, not-for profit organization implements projects aimed at installing, training and consulting for VitaGoat systems across the globe. They partner with not-for profit organizations that purchase the system through a mixture of subsidies and grants. The operation of the machine is done by trained Self Help Group members/entrepreneurs (where possible). The processed food is then sold either in the market or tie-ups with local schools for sale of the products as a part of the public school mid-day meal scheme is established. On an average, one VitaGoat system in India used for mid-day meal serves 6-8000 children.
In collaboration with an Indian partner, the VitaGoat system which was earlier manufactured in Canada is now being manufactured in India at a reduced cost of about USD 3900, about a third less than than the cost of manufacture in Canada.
There are currently about 200 small-scale systems installed throughout India, including training installations in several federal and state-sponsored entrepreneurial programs. The small-scale soy industry in India is growing by over 100% per year. Great promise for the VitaGoat exists in rural India where electricity is often not available, due to lack of service entirely, or due to increasingly lengthy blackouts.
