In achieving food security and sustainability in Nigeria and Africa, New Generation Nutrition (NGN), Netherlands and the Business Incubation Platform of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA-BIP) recently organised a four-day training of trainers on Black Soldier Fly (BSF) farming.

Insect4Feed Project, organized a training aimed at preparing a group of trainers further train entrepreneurs in Black Soldier Fly farming. 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.

Dr Debo Akande the Chief Executive Officer of IITA BIP, stated that the Insect4Feed 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.

“The black soldier fly is a common tropical fly species. Unlike some other insects or the regular house flies, black soldier flies are not pests they do not transmit diseases and they are not poisonous. They do not sting or bite. Rather, they are beneficial to man and the ecosystem as they act as decomposers, , recyclers and scavengers.”

“One of the main challenges in the livestock sector in Nigeria is the high cost of feed and this is driving a lot of poultry and fish farms out of business. And this is contributing to the high cost of livestock products and animal protein sources available to the people. While about  75 percent of fish feed in Nigeria are imported, the country spends around $60 million yearly to import fish.