Ugandan Refugees Turns Insects Into Income and Nutrition

In Uganda’s Kyaka II refugee settlement, residents displaced from Congo are using insect farming to reduce agricultural costs, improve household nutrition, and generate income. About 500 people in 32 groups take part, since insects need little space or water. Farmers feed black soldier fly larvae to chicken and tilapia fish, while using the insects’ waste as fertilizer. The larvae consume organic materials, including food scraps and crop residues, creating a practical way to convert waste into valuable agricultural inputs. The initiative has already shown results: a school trial of mealworm-enriched porridge with 342 children reportedly improved growth. The approach offers small-scale farmers an alternative to expensive conventional animal feed and could help reduce pressure on land and other agricultural resources.