Johanan Dujon is the managing director and founder of Algas Organics, a company that is set to transform agriculture in Saint Lucia and the livelihoods of the island’s farming and horticultural communities.
Four years ago, Johanan made history by becoming the first Caribbean national to create a bio-organic product from the destructive Sargassum seaweed which has been washing up on the shores of many Caribbean islands, including Saint Lucia, causing major headaches in the affected districts. Realising the devastation the seaweed has been causing in local fishing communities, particularly in Dennery and Micoud, Johanan decided to investigate the problem to see if he could come up with a solution.
Eventually, he not only figured out how to get rid of the seaweed, he discovered that it could be processed and turned into a bio- stimulant capable of improving the nutrient intake of plants and boosting the growth and development of their roots. He named the product Algas Total Plant Tonic. In 2014, with the backing of his family, Johanan registered his company, Algas Organics, and the product hit the market in 2015.
Last year Johan captured the 2017 Young Entrepreneur of the Year award at the Saint Lucia Business Awards, an accolade that acknowledged his company’s innovativeness and its dedication to promoting environmental conservation and awareness.
Dazzle had the pleasure of interviewing Johanan and getting to learn firsthand from him about his fascinating journey from championing bio-organics innovation to becoming one of Saint Lucia’s young entrepreneurial sensations.
Dazzle: Tell us a bit about your background.
Johanan: I grew up in the agricultural community of Morne d’Or, Anse La Raye. I attended St. Mary’s College (SMC), followed by Sir Arthur Lewis Community College (SALCC). Immediately after college I went into teaching, an occupation that confirmed I did not want a job for the rest of my life.
Dazzle: Where does your passion for agriculture emanate from?
Johanan: My interest in the area ignited while at secondary school. An assignment required me to speak to banana farmers. I learnt about the pests and diseases that were affecting farmers. Despite this, I did not pursue agriculture at SALCC, but chose general business studies.
Dazzle: What inspired the creation of Algas Organics?
Johanan: As the effects of the Sargassum issue on Saint Lucia were making headlines, the idea was born in a friend’s living room. My friend’s mom wondered why no one was doing anything about the problem. This sparked my interest and got me thinking. I pitched an idea of the plant tonic to my dad and he volunteered his vehicle for our first collection exercise and Algas Organics was born.
Dazzle: How did you go about developing the formula?
Johanan: Developing the right formula took a number of trials. Finally, we were successful with the Algas Total Plant Tonic, a bio stimulant made from Sargassum. Our first sale was five gallons to Mamiku Gardens. The formulation was so concentrated that they never had to purchase from us again.
Dazzle: How did you get it onto supermarket shelves?
Johanan: We approached Consolidated Foods, now Massy Stores, who agreed to put some of our products on the shelf. However, it was removed by the Bureau of Standards with a request for improved labelling and higher testing requirements. This forced us to invest in overseas trials to ensure we were in keeping with market standards, and then we were back for good.
Dazzle: Who are your main partners?
Johanan: We currently partner with the Saint Lucia Fisherfolk Cooperative Society to reduce the impact of the Sargassum seaweed on the livelihood of fishermen. They mobilise fisher folk to collect Sargassum for processing by Algas. This helps provide alternative sources of income for fishers affected by the influx of the seaweed. This partnership attracted grant funding from the Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme (GEF-SGP), Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) and the Government of Saint Lucia. The support of these agencies positively influenced the metamorphosis of Algas.
Dazzle: Tell us about your big influencers/supporters.
Johanan: My family. Mom, Irene Dujon, who is the sounding board for all my ideas; Dad, George Dujon, for ensuring all systems are in place for operations; my brother, Daryl for some of the brain work. Other key people who’ve provided mentorship were Giles Romulus, Alva Lynch and Brent Theophille. Officers in the Ministries of Agriculture and Commerce also provided and continue to provide support to Algas.
Dazzle: What has been your biggest challenge to date?
Johanan: For me it was adjusting to the transition from employee to entrepreneur. I overcame it by continually engaging in personal development through reading and observing more experienced business people. My early reading of the book Rich Dad – Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki taught me important principles about money and business.
Dazzle: Are there people in the business community who inspire you?
Johanan: I look at everyone who is doing well, especially our local magnates like Edward Harris, Michael Chastenet and Rayneau Gajadhar. Others include Tesla’s Elon Musk and Virgin’s Richard Branson.
Dazzle: What motivates you?
Johanan: The need to raise public awareness of the benefits of Algas products beyond the shores of Saint Lucia. Our work at Algas is assisting with solving a part of the world food puzzle, by providing organic products to protect crops.
Dazzle: What’s the story behind your business name?
Johanan: No big story. It’s the Spanish word for seaweed.
Dazzle: You are the 2017 Young Entrepreneur of the Year. Tell us about that.
Johanan: It was an amazing accomplishment that was achieved after several tries.
Dazzle: What advice would you give to youths interested in agro-business?
Johanan:There are a myriad of issues that exist locally and regionally. The industry is ripe with opportunities for entrepreneurs with solutions. Add value, do not compete on price.
Dazzle: What’s next for Algas?
Johanan: The launch of operations at the Caribbean’s first biotech processing plant in Dennery, and the introduction of a pesticide, and seedling mix.
Dazzle applauds Johanan, and we wish him all the best as he soldier’s on with his pioneering role in the development of the biotech industry in Saint Lucia.
