Black Soldier Fly Farming in Rwanda: A Sustainable Livestock Revolution
Explore the transformative impact of Black Soldier Fly Farming on small-scale farmers in Rwanda, promoting nutrition, economic growth, and community resilience.
Communities in Musanze and Burera districts are experiencing a silent revolution in rural development, driven by innovation, solidarity, and sustainable solutions.
Ntirenganya Jean Bosco, a resident of Rwasa Cell in Gahunga Sector, is one of the many farmers who have turned opportunity into progress. Ntirenganya practices black soldier fly farming, a technique that allows him to produce protein-rich feed for his animals. He proudly attributes his success to PRISM support.
“Before, livestock feed was a major challenge,” Ntirenganya explained. “Now, using black soldier fly farming and supplementing it with azolla from lake vegetation, I produce affordable, nutritious feed for my pigs and chickens. I’m saving money and improving production.”
In Burera District, the Dufatanye Twiyubaka group embodies PRISM’s vision of community-driven transformation. After receiving chickens, feed, and targeted training, the group committed to passing on animals to other members of the community. This chain-sharing model not only spreads income opportunities but also strengthens social bonds among families.
One unique and impactful intervention under PRISM is the promotion of black soldier fly and azolla farming. These innovative, low-cost feed solutions have enabled farmers to reduce their reliance on expensive commercial feeds, making small livestock farming both affordable and sustainable.
PRISM’s holistic approach combining livestock provision, technical training, and infrastructure development has brought meaningful change. Farmers are no longer only focused on survival; they are planning, saving, and investing. Children are healthier, household incomes are rising, and the ripple effect of knowledge sharing is visible across communities.
As Jean Bosco Ntirenganya noted with pride, “What PRISM gave us is not just animals it’s knowledge and a new mindset. Now we know how to feed, how to care, and how to grow.”
This model of combining local resources with modern knowledge is at the heart of PRISM’s strategy. In addition to empowering farmers like Ntirenganya, the project has supported thousands more. In Musanze District alone, PRISM has distributed 594 pigs, 1,020 goats, 14,590 chickens, and 304 sheep. To support long-term sustainability, infrastructure such as a pig slaughterhouse, a small livestock market in Muhoza Cell, and a veterinary clinic in Nkotsi Cell were established.
Mayor Nsengimana Claudien of Musanze affirms that PRISM’s impact goes beyond asset distribution. Since 2021, the program has integrated livestock farming with education and health, ensuring beneficiaries receive training in animal husbandry, disease prevention, and sustainable feeding practices. The results are already evident: malnutrition in the area dropped significantly from 45% to 31%.
In Gashaki Cell, a local cooperative started with just 400 chickens. Today, they manage over 1,500. Through organized teamwork and knowledge sharing, members passed poultry on to other families. As a result, more children are consuming eggs and meat, and households are now using poultry waste to grow vegetables in kitchen gardens, improving daily diets.
The PRISM project stands as a testament to what is possible when development initiatives are community-centered, skill-driven, and sustainability-focused. For the people of Musanze and Burera, small livestock is proving to be a big key to unlocking lasting change.
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