CREATING DEMAND FOR THE BSF DRIED LARVAE AMONG POULTRY PRODUCERS AT THE SIVAM 

The IITA BBEST Project in collaboration with the Institute of Rural Economy (IER) participated in the first edition of the International Poultry Fair of Mali (SIVAM) to create demand for the Dried BSF larvae, a product of the BSF technology and promote the technology for its various benefits namely: environmental sanitation, production of proteins for livestock and production of fertilizer for vegetable production.

The event had more than 15 countries from Africa and Europe with more than 200 stands under the patronage of the Minister of State, in charge of territorial administration and local authorities.

The objective of SIVAM is to bring together stakeholders and create a space for exchange, know-how and advocacy to mobilize investors to boost Mali's poultry sector.The theme of this first edition is: "Poultry sector, a factor in strengthening sovereignty and food and nutritional security".

Mali has more than 60 million poultry and the poultry sector is strategic in terms of job creation and source of income. Its turnover is 78 billion CFA francs, and it offers 117460 direct and indirect jobs The poultry sector is committed to improving the consumption of chicken meat by 3 to 10 kg per person per year and eggs by 59 to 100 eggs per person per year.

Three panels were led during the exhibition: Panel 1 "Prospects for the development of poultry farming in Africa" moderated by the group of international experts. Panel 2 "Financing prospects for the poultry sector", moderated by the National Bank Group. Panel 3 "Role of the poultry sector in sovereignty, food and nutrition security."

It was a perfect opportunity for the IITA BBEST Project in Mali to promote the novel the black soldier fly technology, the dried larvae used in animal feeding. the team offered training on the production techniques of black soldier fly larvae. Through this exhibition, the project team aroused the interest of poultry feed producers and traders in the larvae of the black soldier fly.