Agripreneurs and youth trained on the BSF technology to adopt sustainable agricultural practices in Niger.

Agripreneurs and youth trained on the BSF technology to adopt sustainable agricultural practices in Niger. To empower agripreneurs, youth and women to adopt a sustainable agriculture practice in Niger, the Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique au Niger, (INRAN), the national partner of the BBEST Project in Niger held a training workshop on the production and the use of BSF based products for the youth, women, beneficiaries of the Decentralized Unit and private BSF Units’ owners at the Plaza Hotel on August 6, 2024 in Maradi. The overall objective of this workshop is to introduce young entrepreneurs, farmers and technicians to the rearing techniques of the Black Soldier Fly and the use of the BSF larvae in animal feed and the organic fertilizer in vegetable production. In addition, the workshop was organized to : (i) strengthen the capacity of participants on insect technology and biology and the mass production techniques of the Black Soldier Fly, (ii) empower farmers to replace imported proteins with BSF larval meal, (iii) strengthen the capacity of the youth to produce and utilize the Black Soldier Fly, (iv) demonstrate to producers the different stages involved in the rearing f the fly, the preparation and use of BSF based organic fertilizer and (v) introduce farmers to the management of decentralized and private BSF production units. The workshop is led by Dr Laouali Amadou, entomologist, at INRAN, in charge of the production of the BSF component of the BBEST project. About forty people participated in the training, including nine (9) women from the regions of Niamey, Maradi, Tahoua and Zinder, all young agro-entrepreneurs, farmers. The training which lasted five days covered the following topics: the prototype and the rearing kits of the Black Soldier Flies. Participants were trained on the biology of the fly and its nutritional performance of the BSF based products. The facilitators also provided information on the nutrition and results of animal feed experiments based on BSF products. The training revolved around the rearing and the production of the BSF larvae, BSF genital production. Participants after the theoretical session were involved in practical activities and learnt how to prepare the BSF rearing kit, rearing of the adult flies and the larvae. They also had practical hands-on monitoring and maintaining the colony. They were taken through the harvesting and post-harvesting of the BSF larvae and the transformation of the BSF larvae. The trainers showcased the use of the BSF products in animal feed. They were taken to the field to have hands on knowledge on the preparation of the BSF organic fertilizer and its use. Mr. Idrissa Mohamed, an agro economist who took part in the training attested to the high cost of chicken and fish feed and the constraints it has on farming and livestock development in the country. Through the training he learnt how to set up a BSF rearing unit for mass production and affirmed that the BSF technology can easily be learnt and adopted. Mr. Idrissa wants to set up a BSF larvae production unit and later start the feed formulation. He mentioned that he will train people who are interested in the Black Soldier Fly technology. He thanked the BBEST project led by IITA, INRAN and NORAD for giving them the opportunity to be trained on the BSF technology.