Maggot Farming: A New Path to Lower Animal Feed Costs and Improved Livelihoods for Farmers

Gahunga, Burera  As the cost of animal feed continues to rise, many farmers in Rwanda’s Northern Province are turning to innovative farming practices to sustain their livelihoods. Ntirenganya Jean Bosco, a maggot farmer from Gahunga Sector in Burera District, says that maggot farming has enabled him to access affordable feed for small livestock, helping him care for his animals while significantly reducing production costs.

Ntirenganya is among the farmers who have benefited from the PRISM Project (Partnership for Resilient and Inclusive Small Livestock Markets Programme), which supports farmers across the country in strengthening their capacity in various livestock enterprises, including innovative approaches to animal feed production.

Through PRISM, Ntirenganya received training in maggot farming techniques and how to maximize production. The knowledge and skills he gained motivated him to start a profitable venture that now allows him to produce livestock feed at a much lower cost than before. In other parts of the country, farmers such as Uzabakiriho Alphonse from Gicumbi District have also reported that maggot farming has helped them access affordable, nutritious feed for their livestock.

Various studies and farmers’ experiences indicate that maggots particularly those of the Black Soldier Fly are a rich source of nutrients, especially protein, and can effectively substitute expensive conventional animal feed. This provides farmers with a dual benefit: improved animal nutrition and reduced feeding costs.

For many farmers, maggots contain significantly higher protein levels compared to some traditional feed ingredients, contributing to better health and productivity of poultry, pigs, and other small livestock.

Ntirenganya Jean Bosco explains that maggot farming has enabled him to sustainably feed his animals while reducing the amount of money he previously spent on purchasing feed from markets.“Maggot farming has helped me access affordable feed for my small livestock,” he says.

He further notes that one kilogram of maggots sells for 50,000 Rwandan francs, and within a month, a farmer can begin feeding animals with low-cost, nutrient-rich feed. This is particularly beneficial for poultry such as chickens, ducks, turkeys, guinea fowl, and other small livestock.