Black Soldier Fly larvae have been described as a viable protein source in sustainable layer nutrition, which can fully replace soybeans, according to experts.
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The innovation was disclosed during the New Generation Nutrition (NGN), Netherlands and the Business Incubation Platform of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA-BIP) stakeholders’ engagement, aimed at creating full sustainability for poultry farmers and other means of agricultural processes in the country.
 
During the four-day Training of Trainers on Black Soldier Fly (BSF) farming, organised by the Insect4Feed Impact Cluster, the Chief Executive Officer of IITA-BIP, Dr Debo Akande, said the project will reduce the cost of poultry and fish farming by creating cheaper, local and alternative feeds, while also creating jobs in the insect farming value chain.
 
He stressed that the Insect4Feed innovation is aimed at preparing a group of trainers who will further train entrepreneurs in black soldier fly farming to address the growing need for a local, sustainable and affordable animal protein source for the fish and poultry feed industry in Nigeria.
 
Akande explained that one of the main challenges in the livestock sector in the country is the high cost of feed, which is driving a lot of poultry and fish farms out of business and contributes to the high cost of livestock products and animal protein sources available to the people. 
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“About 75 per cent of fish feed in Nigeria are 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.

As a partner in the Insect4Feed project, IITA BIP is focused on helping BSF farmers and entrepreneurs build profitable businesses in BSF farming through training, capacity development and advisory services to grow the livestock industry, contribute to employment, improve food security and protect the environment by creating utilisation of organic wastes.”
 
Nigeria Project Lead for NGN, John Amole, stated that the project aims to build the capacity of entrepreneurs who will invest in insect business 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 pig, can feed on and for us the outsource of protein. That is why we want to raise the pool of resources so that we have trainers that can go about and train other people.”
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