Shaphan Yong Chia
<p><strong>Research project:</strong> Assessing the Potential of Black Soldier Fly as Protein Subsidy in Poultry, Fish and Pig Feed in Kenya</p>
<p>Shaphan is a DRIP PhD Fellow supervised by Dr. Chrysantus Tanga Mbi (icipe), Dr. Sunday Ekesi (icipe), Prof. Marcel Dicke (Wageningen University, The Netherlands) and Prof. Joop Van Loon (Wageningen University, The Netherlands). Shaphan’s research interests include; management of insect pests of agricultural importance and investigation of edible insects. He is currently researching on <strong>“</strong><strong>Assessing the Potential of Black Soldier Fly as Protein Subsidy in Poultry, Fish and Pig Feed in Kenya”</strong>. In East Africa, poultry, pig and fish farming are the fastest growing agribusiness activities. However, high feed costs hamper farmers’ profits. There is research need for alternative sources of low-cost, safe/sustainable feed supplements. Use of insects can help significantly in addressing this problem (FAO, 2013). This project will exploit:</p>
<p>-Black Soldier Fly, <em>Hermetia illucens </em>in commercial production of a low-cost, high-quality protein source.</p>
<p>-Involve women and youth farmer groups to ensure farmer participation in establishment of intensive insect-based agribusiness enterprises.</p>
<p>-Research to assure high nutrition and microbial safety of the insect-based protein products.</p>
<p>Shaphan completed his undergraduate studies in <strong>Zoology and Medical Laboratory Technology </strong>(<strong>BSc</strong>) at the University of Buea, Cameroon, and obtained an <strong>MPhil</strong> in <strong>Entomology</strong> from ARPPIS, University of Ghana, Legon. He is currently registered for a <strong>PhD</strong> at Wageningen University, The Netherlands, and is supported by a scholarship from Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research NWO. Shaphan is a member of the icipe Scholars Association.</p>