Gicumbi: How Support from PRISM Opened Uzabakiriho’s Eyes to Black Soldier Fly Farming

Alphonse Uzabakiriho, a small livestock farmer from Gicumbi District in Rwanda’s Northern Province, says the support he received through the PRISM (Partnership for Resilient and Inclusive Small Livestock Markets Programme) project opened his eyes and led him into black soldier fly farming. He now dreams of growing this venture into a large-scale factory that produces animal feed.

The 31-year-old resides in Nyarutarama Cell, Byumba Sector, where he also runs his farming business.

He got the idea in 2024, after receiving pigs and feed from the PRISM project. When the animal feed ran out, he began thinking of a sustainable way to continue feeding the pigs. That’s when he turned to black soldier fly farming — a cost-effective and sustainable source of protein for livestock feed. He hoped not only to feed his own pigs but also to sell the surplus to other pig and poultry farmers.

The black soldier flies lay eggs, which he collects and places in a controlled environment. Within four days they hatch, and after about 15 days they become larvae. Once harvested, the larvae are roasted and processed into a nutritious animal feed mix.

Uzabakiriho says he has now been farming black soldier flies for nearly two years, starting with just one gram of larvae and currently harvesting up to 20 kilograms per day.

He highlights the multiple benefits of this venture: the flies produce fertilizer, animal feed, and oils that can be used to make soap and other products.

“The fertilizer from this process is high quality and comparable to industrial fertilizer, and it’s ready after just 15 days,” he explains. “Also, when I mix the animal feed myself, I spend 200 Rwandan francs per kilo, compared to 400 if I were to buy it. That means I save half the cost. Another benefit is that my animals grow faster because they’re getting natural protein without chemical additives.”

He confirms that his work is beginning to influence his neighbours, who previously didn’t understand the value of such farming. Now, when someone needs animal feed, he sells it at a low price to help them out and support PRISM’s mission to lift people out of poverty.

Uzabakiriho started with two pigs and now, two years later, has fifteen.

His long-term vision is to expand black soldier fly farming and operate in a greenhouse, eventually building a full animal feed processing plant.

One of his current challenges is the lack of a proper structure for his operations. “As you can see, I’ve built the shed using recycled plastic bottles. I do have land, but if I had the means, I’d expand and build a proper facility. What I ask from local authorities is support to help me secure a greenhouse.”

The Mayor of Gicumbi District, Emmanuel Nzabonimpa, praised PRISM’s intervention. He noted that, for instance, in Rwamiko Sector, residents who were given chickens have been sharing them under a pass-on the gift scheme, and the poultry has now spread across the entire sector. He added that the beneficiaries of PRISM support have formed self-help groups and are steadily improving their livelihoods.

Speaking about black soldier fly farming, Nzabonimpa described it as an innovative approach the authorities are committed to supporting.

“We will visit the farmer [Uzabakiriho], discuss with him and understand what he needs. Whether it’s finding a place to operate or offering further support, we’ll do what we can to ensure his project continues to grow,” he said.

The Partnership for Resilient and Inclusive Small Livestock Markets Programme (PRISM) Project, funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), is being implemented by the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB) through its SPIU. It is jointly funded by the Government of Rwanda, IFAD, and Enabel, with Heifer International (co-financier) and VSF Belgium as key implementing partners. The PRISM Project has a total duration of 5 years, having become effective in March 2021, and is scheduled to close in September 2026.

According to Mr. Joseph Nshokeyinka, PRISM project manager, the overall objective of the project is to reduce poverty by empowering poor rural men, women and youth to participate in the transformation of the Rwanda livestock sector and to enhance their resilience. Specifically, the programme seeks to increase competitiveness and profitability of the small livestock sector for the provision of quality products from smallholder producers to domestic and regional consumers.

The Project is intervening in 15 Districts, distributed across the Northern (Gakenke, Musanze, Burera, Rulindo and Gicumbi), Southern (Ruhango, Huye, Gisagara, Nyaruguru and Nyamagabe) and Western (Nyabihu, Rutsiro, Ngororero, Karongi and Nyamasheke) provinces. The needy households will be given 12,074 pigs; 18,246 sheep; 19,002 goats and 67500 chickens.