The Agricultural Social and Entrepreneurial Foundation says it will invest N20 billion into Waste4Meal project to boost livestock production in Rivers State
Promoters of the project said at its launch in Port Harcourt that the investment is in partnership with the Rivers Cooperative Federation and the Everand Business Solution, among others
The said project is aimed at promoting ‘Black Soldier Fly’ farming, an organic livestock protein source that arguments livestock feeds by over 30 percent.
The farm targets about 40 hectares of land in the state and is set to resume full operations by February 2026.
Chief Executive Officer of Waste4Meal, Mrs. Rosemary Adebayo, said that when fully operational, the insect product would reduce the cost of livestock production and make end products also affordable.
She assured on gains of insect farming, stressing that Black Soldier Flies and their components (eggs, larvae) are cheap to cultivate using organic home-made waste materials.
“We are looking at how to lower costs while trying to scale up access to essential sources of livestock protein in the areas of fishery, piggery, poultry, rabbit farming, and pets.
“One lararium is capable of producing about 1.5 tons of larvae every month, which arguments for over 30 percent of regular feed,” she said.
Agriculturist and Coordinator of Gonasstock Company, Mr. Azeez Oluwole, one of the project partners, said that the essence of the launch was to bring insect farming awareness to Rivers State.
He noted that the Rivers Cooperative Federation is injecting about N20.45 billion into the project.
Oluwole said the investment and development would span between two to four years.
“The investment covers human resources development, capital investment, insurance, and operational costs,” he added.
Rivers State Chairman of the Poultry Association of Nigeria, Mr. Afonwa Charles, also lauded the initiative, describing it as beneficial to livestock farming.
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“When I took over as chairman in 2023, I started searching for solutions to the challenges of the high cost of livestock feed.
“These challenges constitute over 70 percent burden on livestock production.
“So, when I heard that insect farming would be of great help, we decided to partner on this project to reduce the cost of livestock production.
“From our demonstration farms, no noted side effects and no quantity is too much of an addition to the regular feeds,” he said.
Also, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Maurice Ogolo, said that the state is committed to the Private Public Partnership (PPP).
He said that the arrangements would enhance project sustainability.
Ogolo said that the state is reintegrating the youths into its various agriculture initiatives, to develop agriculture into a realistic means of livelihood for youths in the state.
