Background

KALRO, in collaboration with KOPIA, is implementing a five‑year project (2024–2028) titled “Demonstration and Promotion of Chicken Feeds Containing Black Soldier Fly (BSF) Larvae and Rice By‑products in Kenya.” The project supports national priorities under the Agricultural Sector Transformation and Growth Strategy (ASTGS 2019–2029) and Vision 2030.

High feed costs, which account for nearly 80% of poultry production expenses, limit growth and egg yields among improved chicken breeds. To address this, the project promotes affordable rations that combine BSF larvae with rice by‑products, aiming to improve productivity and increase household incomes.

Objectives include training farmers to rear BSF larvae, formulating and testing BSF‑based rations, assessing changes in chicken performance and household income, and disseminating practical feeding solutions.

To support adoption, the project has produced a comprehensive farmer’s manual and eight practical pamphlets. These publications provide step‑by‑step guidance on BSF production, feed formulation, feeding trials, and economic benefits, tailored for farmers, extension agents, and stakeholders.