The Business Incubation Platform of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA-BIP), through its Insect4Feed Impact Cluster in conjunction with the New Generation Nutrition (NGN) Netherlands, organizes training for trainers on Black Soldier Fly (BSF) farming, aimed at creating alternative sources of protein for animals.
The Chief Executive Officer of IITA-BIP, Dr. Debo Akande, disclosed during the four-day training that the innovation will reduce the cost of feeding livestock animals by creating cheaper, local, and alternative feeds while also creating jobs in the insect farming value chain.
Insect farming is regarded as one of the key solutions to reducing waste in the environment and creating sustainable sources of animal feed. The black soldier fly larvae are one of nature’s recyclers and rapidly consume waste and turn it into larvae that are enjoyed by livestock animals.
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Akande explained that the training is aimed at preparing a group of trainers who will further train entrepreneurs in black soldier fly farming to address the high cost of feed and reduce the cost of livestock products and animal protein sources available to the people.
“About 75 percent of fish feed in Nigeria is imported; the country spends around $60 million yearly to import fish, but this training marks the beginning of the development of sustainable business models with insects through research and education.”
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The Nigeria Project Lead for NGN, John Amole, stated that the project aimed at creating full sustainability for livestock farmers and building the capacity of entrepreneurs who will invest in insect businesses by making use of organic waste to feed livestock.
“The high cost of livestock products brought about the idea of the insect for feed project, and that is why we focus on black soldier fly larvae production to convert the organic waste to food, which other fish, poultry, birds, or pigs can feed on.”
