The IITA-led BBEST project in Ghana, in collaboration with BNARI, recently hosted farmer groups from Kawukudi (Ayawaso East municipality), Evandy (Ayawaso West Wuogon municipality), and GAEC (Ga East Municipality) at its vegetable demonstration field in Kofisah, Nsawam. This event aimed to promote the adoption and use of the black soldier fly frass (BSFF), a by-product of BSF technology, among smallholder vegetable farmers.
About 20 farmers and extension agents from different parts of Accra were introduced to BSF frass. During this informative session, the facilitators highlighted the advantages of using frass, a nutrient-rich organic fertilizer, produced in an environmentally friendly manner. It contains nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and beneficial microorganisms that improve yield and strengthen soil health. These positions BSF frass as an alternative organic fertilizer for growing vegetables.
The facilitators provided farmers with insights into applying BSF frass and combining it with inorganic fertilizer to achieve good yields. They highlighted the effects of frass on vegetable growth. Farmers observed the effects of the frass and its combination with other inorganic fertilizers on the vegetables cultivated, namely: Okra, African eggplant, Amaranthus, and sweet pepper.
They shared their perspectives on yields and recognized the importance of integrated soil fertility management for yield increases and long-term crop cultivation.
One of the farmers who used the frass told us, “The application of the BSF frass helped in controlling weeds in his farm. He stated that he obtains more yield using the BSF frass”.
The farmers visited the BSF larvae facility to observe BSF larvae production, another product from the BSF technology, rich in protein and used in poultry, aquaculture, and pig production.
They expressed their appreciation to the IITA and the BNARI team for introducing them to the BSF products and showed interest in purchasing BSF frass. Others expressed a desire to be trained to produce BSF larvae and frass.
The BSF larvae and frass are both certified products in Ghana by the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) and the Plant Protection and Regulatory Service Directorate (PPRSD) under the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA).
The BBEST is an IITA-led initiative funded by Norway through the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad) and implemented in Ghana, Mali, Niger, and DRC, with the overall goal to improve the livelihoods of smallholder chicken, fish, pig, and vegetable producers and other value chain actors and contribute to improved urban sanitation and climate change mitigation.
Contributed by Francisca Ocloo
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