Global, Livestock Systems

Insect feed for poultry, fish and pig production in Sub-Saharan Africa (INSFEED2)

Image
Black soldier fly larvae. Credit: Mellissa Wood, ACIAR
Project code
GP/2019/171
Budget
AUD 1,495,900
Research program manager
Dr Anna Okello
Project leader
Chrysantus Tanga, International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology
Commissioned organisation
International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology
Duration:
OCT 2018
SEP 2020
Project status
Concluded
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Overview

This project aimed to test different supply and upscaling pathways, and gender sensitive business models suitable for job creation and income generation for men, women and young farmers

Protein additives in animal feed increase feed costs substantially, undermining development efforts to boost animal production and meet the food needs of a growing population, while ensuring environmental sustainability.

The focus of this project is on analysing and comparing outcomes from different upscaling pathways of the insect producing business models and assess the performance of insect colonies and livestock produced with insect based feed in various agro-ecological zones.

In addition, policymakers, private sector actors, NGOs and farmers will be engaged at different levels. The research will use qualitative and quantitative research methods involving 11,070 households and 60 small and medium enterprises that will be trained in insect mass rearing and processing for feed.

Project outcomes

  • Identifying best cost effective, sustainable and gender sensitive supply chain models identified.
  • Training 11,070 households in insect mass rearing and processing for feed.
  • Producing insect feed for poultry, fish and pig in Kenya and Uganda.
  • Identifying and recommending best scaling-up methods leading to wider uptake of quality and sustainable insect production and processing for animal feed.
  • Training 60 small-medium size enterprises on insect farming and backstopping.
  • Publishing at least 10 scientific papers published.
  • Developing curriculum on insect use in animal feed for use in universities and incubation centres.
  • Training three MSc students and one PhD student.
  • Increasing protein availability for feed, reduced protein cost, and improved animal productivity and income generation.
Key partners
United States International University-Africa, Kenya
Agriculture and Livestock Research Organization, Kenya
Marine and Fisheries Research Institute,
Value Addition and Cottage Industry Development in Africa, Kenya
Kenya Bureau of Standards
Makerere University, Uganda