The IITA BBEST Project exhibits and promotes it BSF products at In Ghana during an Agrifair

In a stride to promote the adoption of the new sustainable agriculture practice, the BBEST project-led by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) exhibited the BSF products at the just ended Agrifair organized by Channel One TV in Accra, Ghana from 28th to 30th November.

During the three-day event held at the Efua Sutherland Children Park, the BBEST project showcased a live display of the stages of the Black soldier fly’s life cycle namely: the adult stage, the eggs stage, the larval stage and the pupae stage. This aroused the curiosity of many which were educated on the BSF technology, its ability to transform the agriculture sector by providing protein for livestock and organic fertilizer for vegetable production.

The production of the BSF Larvae and frass is done in an environmentally friendly way as the larvae feed on organic, reducing the waste in the environment. This also contribute to the promotion of a circular bio economy and to urban waste management.

Visitors were also amazed by the rapid growth of the larvae and expressed interest in the dried larvae, upon learning that it has high-quality nutrient rich protein and fat and used in aquaculture poultry and pig feed formulation and the frass, a nutrient-rich organic fertilizer used in vegetable production, which also improves soil fertility.

The dried BSF Larvae which is now available on the market, is certified by the Ghana Standard Authority and the BSF Frass is a certified product by the Plant Protection and Regulation Service Directorate (PPRDS) and are safe for consumption.

The BBEST project participation in the fair did not only attract farmers and livestock producers’ attention, it also generated people’s interest to start the production of the Black Soldier fly larvae and frass after being educated on its benefits.

This initiative led by IITA is funded by Norway through Norad and has established a production unit which was completed last year began production and is into sale of its larvae and frass to farmers. This reaffirms IITA’s commitment to supporting smallholder farmers and contributing to system transformation.