African agricultural research continues to explore practical ways to make livestock production more affordable and sustainable. One promising area is the use of insects to convert organic by-products into valuable sources of animal feed.
Dr Eyitayo Azaratou Ogbon has been named the recipient of the inaugural ICIPE Special Prize 2026 for her work in this field. This was presented during the MITA 2026 event organized by CORAF (West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development) in Freetown, Sierra Leone, from 19 to 21 October 2026. The award recognizes research on the use of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae in rabbit feed, an approach that aims to convert organic by-products into a protein-rich feed ingredient while contributing to more resource-efficient livestock production.
Dr Ogbon expressing gratitude to the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), CORAF, the award jury, the MITA 2026 partners, and the collaborators who supported the work, also acknowledged IITA-Benin, highlighting the contribution of the research team and its partners to the development of practical solutions for African agriculture.
Feed is a major consideration in livestock production, affecting farmers’ operating costs and the economic viability of their enterprises. Finding affordable, nutritious, and locally accessible feed ingredients is therefore important to the development of more resilient livestock systems in Africa. Black soldier fly larvae have attracted growing interest because they can convert suitable organic materials into biomass containing protein and fat. When produced under controlled conditions and processed appropriately, the larvae can serve as an ingredient in animal feed.
Dr Ogbon’s recognized work explores the application of this approach to rabbit nutrition. By investigating the use of black soldier fly larvae in rabbit feed, the research contributes to wider efforts to identify alternative protein sources for livestock and reduce reliance on conventional feed ingredients. The approach also raises an important question for African agriculture: how can materials that might otherwise be discarded be transformed into useful agricultural inputs?
Connecting waste management with livestock production
The potential value of black soldier fly technology extends beyond animal nutrition. It is also associated with the principles of circular agriculture, which seek to keep resources in productive use for as long as possible.
Suitable organic by-products can serve as substrates for insect larvae production. The resulting insect biomass can then be processed for potential use in animal feed, creating an opportunity to connect organic resource management with livestock production.
This approach offers opportunities to develop new value chains around organic by-products, insect production, and alternative feed ingredients. Its practical benefits, however, depend on several factors, including the availability and safety of suitable substrates, production costs, processing standards, nutritional consistency, and regulatory requirements.
The use of insect-based feed is therefore not simply a matter of replacing one ingredient with another. It requires research and quality control to establish appropriate feeding levels, animal performance, safety, and economic viability under local production conditions.
For rabbit producers, particularly smallholder farmers operating under tight financial constraints, more affordable feed ingredients could improve production economics. If the approach can be produced safely and competitively at scale, insect-based feed ingredients could help reduce dependence on more expensive protein sources. The technology could also create opportunities for entrepreneurs involved in insect farming, organic by-product collection, feed processing, and livestock services.
However, the extent of these benefits will depend on the research findings, the costs of production and processing, and the ability to establish reliable supply chains. Demonstrating that an alternative ingredient is nutritious is important, but showing that it is safe, affordable and practical for farmers is equally essential. These considerations make applied research particularly valuable: it can help bridge the gap between research innovation and solutions that farmers can use in their operations.
The inaugural ICIPE Special Prize 2026 provides a platform for recognizing research directed at practical agricultural challenges. Dr Ogbon’s award also highlights the role of collaboration in developing innovations that integrate insect science, animal nutrition, resource recovery, and sustainable food production. She describes the achievement as one shared with IITA Benin and the collaborators who contributed to the work, while reaffirming her commitment to developing and promoting insect-based feed innovations that support farmers, protect the environment and strengthen food-system resilience.
Dr Ogbon’s recognition highlights an area of agricultural innovation with potential implications for livestock production and resource management. By exploring how organic by-products can be converted into useful feed ingredients, her work contributes to the search for alternatives that make better use of available resources.
The broader lesson is that solutions to Africa’s agricultural challenges may come not only from producing more, but also from finding smarter ways to use what is already available. As research into insect-based feed continues, its long-term significance will depend on the evidence generated, the partnerships established, and the extent to which the technology can be adapted to farmers’ needs. For now, the inaugural ICIPE Special Prize shines a spotlight on Dr Ogbon’s work and the broader possibilities of science-driven innovation for building more sustainable and resilient African food systems.
Contributed by
Timilehin Osunde