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Research Area:

Utilizing insect frass as a soil amendment (plant fertilizer) and its effect on plant growth and host-plant resistance in Brassica species.

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Host Institution: 

Wageningen University & Research, The Netherlands

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Brief background:

Insects are currently produced in large amounts for their use as protein source in food and feed. During their production by-products remain, consisting of moulting skins (exuviae) and insect faeces (frass). As the insect production industry grows, so is the amount of these by-products.

The addition of these by-products to the soil may improve crop production. For example, frass

from insect farming is currently being considered for soil enrichment due to its high nutrient

content. However, there is limited information on the potential of insect waste streams to improve plant growth and its effect on crop resistance to herbivory insect pests.

Project Goal:

In this project, we investigate whether adding insect side streams (frass) of black soldier fly larvae, mealworm and house cricket to the soil affects the performance of Brassica plants.

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Project Goal:

Assess the fertilizing potential of rest streams of the larvae of black soldier fly to assure nutrient-rich products for soil quality improvement and crop growth

Poultry, pig and fish farming are the fastest growing agribusiness activities in East Africa. However, the high cost of feeds greatly hampers profitable gains for small and medium-holder farmers in these sectors. There is a research need for alternative sources of low-cost feed supplements. The project explored the potential of insects, mainly the black soldier fly (BSF), Hermetia illucens in commercial production of a low-cost, high-quality protein source to supplement feeds for poultry, pig and fish farmers. Through its consortium partners, the project created awareness and market opportunities in production of insect-based protein for the livestock industry. The project worked with youth and women farmer groups to build their capacity to rear BSF and market thereby ensuring farmer participation in establishment of intensive insect-based agribusiness enterprises. The consortium also engaged in research to assure high nutrition and microbial safety of the insect-based protein products.

See my publications (the research output of the ILIPA project).

Coming soon!

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Coming soon!