FOOD WASTE-2-CRICKET FEED
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Date
2025-04
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Uganda National Council for Science and Technology
Abstract
This presentation outlines a pilot initiative aimed at converting food waste into a low-cost, protein- and micro-nutrient-rich cricket feed to support sustainable edible insect farming in Uganda. The study addresses the challenges of limited cricket production in Uganda, largely due to the high cost of feed, which accounts for approximately 50% of production expenses. With Uganda generating up to 771 metric tons of food waste daily, this project demonstrates how household and market waste can be transformed into safe, digestible, and nutritionally viable feed for house crickets (Acheta domesticus). The results reveal that crickets raised on the formulated feed showed high protein content and digestibility, with low aflatoxin and pesticide levels. Additionally, the production cost is significantly lower compared to conventional feeds, offering high returns on investment. The initiative sets the foundation for small-scale industrial upcycling of food waste into commercial insect feed, with broader implications for food security, waste management, and sustainable protein sources in urban settings.
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Citation
Ssepuuya, G., Kasanya, P. M., Akwap, P., Alowo, J., & Nsiyona, E. (2025). FOOD WASTE-2-CRICKET FEED: Towards sustainable insect protein production. [Presentation]. Kampala, Uganda.