The Accra office of the IITA-led “Black Soldier Fly (BSF) for Bio Circular Economy and Environmental Sustainability” (BBEST) project was visited by a representative of the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) on August 15.
Christer Solheim Gundersen, a Digitalization Specialist visited the project to gain firsthand understanding of the progress and achievements, while exploring the integration of digital technology in educating various stakeholders on BSF technology, including farmers, youth, and extension officers.
Welcoming Gundersen, IITA-CGIAR Ghana Country Representative Richard Asare, introduced him to a range of NORAD-funded initiatives, including the Sustainable Soybean Production in Northern Ghana (SSPING), Cocoasoils, Excellence in Agronomy (EIA), Sustainable Intensification of Mixed Farming Systems (SI), and the Accelerating Impacts of CGIAR Climate Research for Africa (AICCRA). This set the stage for strategic discussions during the meeting.
During a presentation by IITA Sahel hub Director, Abdoulaye Tahirou, the project’s rationale, objectives, and diverse array of work packages were highlighted. Listing the project’s implementation sites in Accra, Bamako, Niamey, Bukavu, and Kinshasa, Tahirou gave a background to the diverse range of activities undertaken within each work package, underscoring the dynamic nature of the project’s progress.
He also talked about the dismountable BSF kits and how it is providing employment opportunities for youth and agripreneurs, adding that they also present an affordable entry point for those interested in Black Soldier Fly production as a viable business endeavor.
The presentation also highlighted BSF activities in Niger, where experiments on larvae and frass were conducted in collaboration with IMR and NIBIO. The importance of capacity building, especially among the youth, invested in BSF technology.
Discussions during the visit reinforced the project team’s unwavering commitment to technological integration and education dissemination. With insights from Gundersen’s expertise, the project is positioned to leverage digital tools to enhance outreach, data collection, and educational endeavors.
A tour of the BSF village given by Dzepe-Togue showed the group the BSF’s life cycle and growth process, unveiling the significance of the love cage and the dark cage in facilitating optimal breeding conditions.
Also, displaying the dismountable BSF kits during the tour showed the accessibility and affordability of producing Black Soldier Fly on a small scale.
An array of BSF products was showcased, followed by practical demonstrations of their applications. The team also visited the decentralized units supported by the IITA-BBEST project, providing firsthand insights into BSF production.
As part of the team’s tour, they engaged with farm managers and assistants, and learned about the progress and challenges faced in scaling up production.
Following conversations on how to overcome challenges and streamline educational content, Gundersen recommended using short videos for educational purposes.
The knowledge-sharing meeting focused on IITA-BBEST project’s commitment to fostering sustainable practices and innovation, furthering the mission of a circular economy and environmental sustainability.
Contributed by Francisca Ocloo
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