In Masaka, Uganda, Josephine Nabbanga leads the growth of her **cricket farming**, a [key source of protein](https://noticiasambientales.com/innovacion/namibia-impulsa-el-cultivo-de-legumbres-ricas-en-proteinas-para-combatir-la-malnutricion/) for humans and animals.
Like many small farmers, she used to rely on **commercial bird feed**, an option that was **expensive and unreliable**.
The scenario changed with the arrival of a **new locally formulated feed** by researchers from the **Uganda Christian University (UCU)**, created from [domestic food waste](https://noticiasambientales.com/compromiso-ambiental/seguridad-alimentaria-y-desperdicio-de-alimentos-dos-caras-de-la-misma-moneda/).
## A more efficient and economical feed
The formula, designed **specifically for cricket farming**, has proven to be:
– **More accessible**, reducing production costs.
– **More efficient**, improving insect development.
“We are saving a lot of money with this change, and we want to apply it to pig farming as well,” explained **Nabbanga**.
## Transforming the problem into a solution
The **high cost of traditional feed** has hindered the growth of the insect industry in Uganda.
To address this, a team led by Professor **Geoffrey Ssepuuya** launched a project in **2023** to develop **low-cost, high-protein feed**, using **food waste**.
“We are using one problem to solve another: waste and the need for food,” highlighted **Ssepuuya**.
## Funding and production process
The project received:
– **US$29,473** in its initial phase to develop the formula.
– **US$63,750** in a second stage to build a **cricket production plant** and set up a **waste collection system**.
Food scraps, like **banana peels and rice**, undergo:
1. Heat treatment and drying.
2. Grinding and conversion to powder.
3. Mixing and feed preparation.
This method accelerates the **maturation of crickets to eight weeks**, reducing the time compared to **traditional 12-week methods**.
## Environmental and economic impact
According to the **Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA)**, only 45% of **urban solid waste is collected**, with large amounts clogging drains and contaminating the environment.
The new feed could **use up to three tons of food waste per day**, reducing pollution and providing **a cleaner and more sustainable option**.
“Unlike slaughterhouses, cricket farming does not generate polluting waste,” emphasized **Ssepuuya**.
## A circular economy model
In addition to its **environmental benefits**, the project has the potential to:
– Increase farmers’ income by allowing them to sell adult crickets and eggs.
– Convert restaurants and markets into waste suppliers, closing the production cycle.
The team is working on **certification from the Uganda National Bureau of Standards**, a key step for its **large-scale commercial launch**.
*By: John Musenze/[Scidev.net](https://www.scidev.net/)*
