Sam Jahangad studied and worked abroad before moving to Australia. (Image credit: Sam Jahangad)
Australia means so much to Iranian-born Sam Jahangad that he was willing to turn down a business deal worth $500 million.
The biotech expert who invented a natural solution to agricultural waste wants to keep it in Australia rather than accept an offer from the United Arab Emirates.
He said his loyalty and love for his country made him willing to take the loss of millions of dollars.
“Australia is the only country that has granted Australian citizenship to me and my family, so I am very proud to be an Australian national,” he said.
“I do feel rooted here and Australia provides a platform for a high-quality education for my only child and I see a future ahead of me.”
The Iranian-born scientist moved to Australia 17 years ago and became a citizen.
Dr. Jahangad grew up in a small fishing village in Iran, in a house with a dirt floor and no electricity.
He received a scholarship to study at a European university and became a biotechnologist specializing in aquaculture.
His knowledge enables him to create methods to quickly convert agricultural waste, food waste, and invasive weeds and species generated by feedlots into chemical-free compost, fertilizer, and pest management products.
It was this biotechnology that attracted a coveted investment offer from the United Arab Emirates.
Sam Jahangard transforms agricultural waste into chemical-free compost, fertilizer and pest control products. (ABC News: Cam Lang)
Being a skilled immigrant
Dr Jahangad is one of nearly 1.76 million skilled migrants who have come to Australia since 2000.
His skills do not guarantee a job in his field.
Dr. Jahangad faced unexpected challenges in his career and often found himself unable to find jobs that suited his skills.
“I was unemployed at a stage in my life. I was doing pizza delivery in Victoria,” he said.
But his passion for finding natural solutions to problems remains.
In his spare time, he developed a natural, preservative-free probiotic drink for his son.
He subsequently expanded his efforts to mass produce and commercialize these products in Melbourne.
“I started this company to successfully mass produce all-natural products, no preservatives, no chemicals, all produced using biotechnology,” he said.
However, he soon realized the limitations of his marketing skills and was unable to compete with the dominant companies in the market.
Dr Jahangad moved his family to Queensland in 2017 but was unable to find work in the industry, so he took up oyster shucking.
“I was making $11 an hour,” he said.
This experience further strengthened his determination to create his own opportunities.
“I decided to open the door myself rather than wait for someone else to open it for me,” he said.
Eureka moment
Dr Jahangard was employed by a Toowoomba feed company to address mould issues and improve the nutritional content of grass in their food.
He applies his knowledge and inspiration to the fields of biotechnology, aquaculture, food and beverage manufacturing and formulation.
“I ultimately figured out they needed something natural to address the one-week growth period,” he said.
“That set me on the path to using my biotech skills to get involved in agriculture.”
Dr. Jahangard developed five different formulations.
Dr. Jahangard demonstrates how to process food waste. (ABC News: Cam Lang)
His chemical-free composting formula reduces production time from 180 days to a maximum of five days.
He also created natural fertilizers from feedlot waste, invasive plants and unwanted food and invented methods of pest control.
“The scale of this cutting-edge technology we are developing will be a game changer for Australia and the world, it will be good for the environment, it will help create jobs and it will help the economy,” he said.
Mic Shipley was deputy director of the operation, which was led by Dr. Jahangard. (ABC News: Cam Lang)
Dr. Jahangard’s natural formulas for compost, fertilizer and integrated pest management are still in the testing and trial stages.
“I tried to approach various institutions here (Australia) for help in setting up a large-scale production facility,” he said.
“Unfortunately, I didn’t generate any interest, so using my international network and connections, I went to one of the largest organic food and agriculture expos in Dubai.”
At the fair, Dr. Jahangard presented his products to former colleagues and encouraged them to evaluate the market potential.
“I told them, ‘If you want, come join me and help me build a factory in Australia to mass produce this product,'” he said.
Calling Australia home
Although he has rejected an offer to relocate operations to the United Arab Emirates, he and his team continue to work on commercializing his natural biotech solutions.
Dr Jahangard is still seeking investors to keep this innovative technology in Australia.
He said his main motivation is to make a positive impact and leave a legacy for his only child, not to make money.
“My goal is to have the opportunity to make the world a better place,” he said.
“This is not only about our generation, but also about future generations.
“We are being very unkind to the soil, the earth and the environment.
“I’m proud to be a part of this journey.”