Rwanda has made transforming the livestock sector a national priority by increasing productivity, improving animal nutrition, and promoting sustainable, locally produced feed solutions. As rising global feed prices and reliance on imported ingredients continue to challenge livestock farmers, innovative alternatives are becoming essential to building a resilient and competitive livestock industry.
Contributing to this national agenda, Maggot Farm Production Ltd, in partnership with the IITA-CGIAR, Kamonyi District, and other partners, officially launched the Black Soldier Fly (BSF) Knowledge and Learning Center on 9 July in Kamonyi District. The center will serve as Rwanda’s national hub for training, innovation, and knowledge sharing on Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL) technology. This circular-economy solution converts organic waste into protein-rich animal feed and organic fertilizer.
The center builds on years of collaboration between IITA and Maggot Farm through the Rural–Urban Nexus (RUNRES) project, funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). Since 2019, IITA has supported the company with technical expertise, training, and capacity development, helping it become one of Rwanda’s leading innovators in insect-based animal feed production.
Speaking during the launch, IITA Rwanda Country Representative Konlambigue Matieyedou said the initiative demonstrates how research and partnerships can deliver practical solutions to national development challenges.
“The Government of Rwanda has prioritized sustainable livestock production and the diversification of animal feed sources to strengthen food systems and improve farmers’ livelihoods. Through our partnership with Maggot Farm, IITA is proud to support a locally driven innovation that transforms organic waste into valuable livestock feed while creating economic opportunities and protecting the environment. This center will help accelerate the adoption of Black Soldier Fly technology across Rwanda and beyond.”
As interest in Black Soldier Fly technology has grown, Maggot Farm has become a learning destination for farmers, entrepreneurs, researchers, cooperatives, government agencies, and development partners seeking practical knowledge on insect farming. The establishment of the Knowledge and Learning Center responds to this growing demand by creating a permanent platform for technology transfer and skills development.
The facility offers hands-on training in BSFL production, processing, quality control, and business development, along with live demonstrations of the complete production cycle. Participants will also access study tours, bilingual training materials, modern learning facilities, and digital resources designed to support the successful adoption and scaling of the technology.
One example of the innovation’s growing impact is the Dukatazemwiterambere livestock cooperative in Rusizi District. After receiving training from Maggot Farm, the cooperative has begun integrating BSFL technology into its operations. It is now working to establish its own production facility, demonstrating the potential for replication nationwide.
For Francis Kavutse, Managing Director of Maggot Farm Production Ltd, the center represents an important step toward making practical knowledge widely accessible.
“Over the years, we have welcomed hundreds of visitors eager to learn about Black Soldier Fly production. This center transforms that experience into a structured learning platform where farmers, youth, entrepreneurs, and institutions can acquire practical skills to produce sustainable animal feed, create businesses, and contribute to Rwanda’s agricultural transformation.”
By bringing together research, innovation, private-sector expertise, and practical learning, the Black Soldier Fly Knowledge and Learning Center is expected to accelerate the adoption of sustainable livestock feed solutions while contributing to Rwanda’s vision of a productive, climate-resilient, and environmentally sustainable livestock sector.
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Contributed by Bumwe Ritha, Justine Mucyo and Emmanuel Rukundo
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