RMRDC champions sustainable feed innovation with black soldier fly training

The Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), through its Training School, recently hosted a two-day intensive training on global best practices in alternative livestock feed production, highlighting the use of Black Soldier Fly (BSF) larvae as a sustainable protein source.

The event, held from April 14 to 16, 2025, at the Council’s headquarters in Abuja, brought together staff and stakeholders from small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the livestock sector.

This timely initiative comes as Nigeria continues to grapple with soaring livestock feed costs and broader food security challenges.

The training aimed to build technical capacity and promote innovation in feed production, in line with RMRDC’s mission to enhance local content development and agro-industrial sustainability.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), the use of BSF larvae to process large volumes of organic waste presents a sustainable solution that lowers production costs for agricultural producers.

By converting waste into high-quality protein-rich feed and low-cost fertiliser, the method not only reduces environmental impact but also improves farm efficiency and profitability.

Speaking during the opening session, the Director General of RMRDC—represented by I.C. Olife, Dean of the RMRDC Training School—emphasized the importance of local sourcing and sustainable practices.

“This training is designed to be practical and hands-on,” Olife stated. “Participants will gain the skills needed to implement BSF farming in even the smallest of spaces.

Our ultimate goal is to make livestock feed more affordable, reduce food costs, and improve national food security,” he added.

The technical segment of the program was led by Ismail Idris, a recognised expert in BSF processing. He delivered an in-depth session on the full cycle of BSF larvae processing, including harvesting, sanitising, drying, and grinding the larvae into a protein-rich meal.

“These low-cost, scalable methods are essential for SMEs looking to cut costs without compromising quality,” Idris explained.

In a complementary presentation, Olusola Kayode, RMRDC Training School Consultant, highlighted the larvae’s high nutritional value and its role in enhancing feed formulations.

“Black Soldier Fly meal is rich in protein and essential nutrients,” Kayode noted. “When properly integrated, it improves livestock performance and supports sustainable feed production.”

The training concluded with a live, hands-on demonstration led by Hajiya Saude, who walked participants through BSF cultivation techniques.

Attendees observed the complete lifecycle of the fly and learned how to create and maintain optimal environments for BSF farming.

“Understanding the insect’s behaviour and needs is key to success,” Saude said. “Once farmers grasp these basics, they can produce sustainable feed at a fraction of the conventional cost.”

Participants described the training as highly impactful and timely, especially given the rising costs of traditional animal feed. Many expressed readiness to adopt BSF technology in their operations to boost productivity and cut expenses.

This capacity-building effort is one of several strategic initiatives by RMRDC aimed at accelerating Nigeria’s agro-industrial transformation through science-driven, locally sourced solutions.