INSFEED: Insect feed for poultry and fish production in sub Saharan Africa

In many African countries, poultry and fish industries are among the fastest growing agri-businesses. However, the use of expensive inputs such as fish and plants as feed ingredients is threatening the survival of producers. The present initiative proposes to improve income generation, food and nutritional security in Kenya and Uganda by developing insect-based feeds for sustainable, safe and cost-effective poultry and fish production.

Major research thrust will include identification of suitable insect species, assessing the potential market and nutritional attributes of the products, and development and adaptation of cost-effective insect rearing, harvesting, and post-harvest techniques for smallholder producers. It will also establish the risk factors associated with the insect-based feeds along the food chain and their mitigation strategies as well as conduct research to inform policies for promotion of safe, sustainable and cost-effective use of insect in the feed sector.

Additional research under this project is being conducted within the icipe Social Sience and Impact Assessment Unit:

• Differential perception of use of insect based feed based on gender and age
• Assessment of communities’ perception of insects as food

Donors:

• International Development Research Centre (IDRC)  
• Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR)

Collaborators:

• Kenya: Egerton University, University of Nairobi, Sanergy Ltd., Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), Unga Feed, Lasting Solution,
• Uganda: Makerere University; UNBS, NaLiRRI, NaFiRRI, UGACHICK,