ILRI Champions Black Soldier Fly Larvae as Game-Changer for Poultry Farmers

The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) is championing the use of Black Soldier Fly (BSF) larvae as a breakthrough solution to one of the poultry sector’s biggest challenges—feed costs. With feed accounting for nearly 70 percent of total production expenses, many smallholder farmers are struggling to expand their businesses and improve household nutrition. ILRI says BSF larvae could offer a cheaper, highly nutritious, and sustainable alternative that has the potential to transform poultry farming.

Source: foodforafrika

At ILRI’s poultry research facility in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, scientists are demonstrating how the larvae, which can be produced locally from organic waste, provide a high-protein feed source while simultaneously reducing environmental waste. The institute notes that insect-based feeds are already gaining traction across Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America, and believes targeted investment, research, and public awareness could rapidly accelerate adoption.

ILRI is now urging governments, development partners, private investors, and academic institutions to work together in scaling up the innovation. By pooling resources and expertise, stakeholders could build more resilient and sustainable poultry systems, capable of boosting farmer incomes, reducing costs, and strengthening food security.