Serere; Livestock farmers in Serere district are embracing a novel approach to diversify their farming practices, with the introduction of maggot farming as a cost-effective solution for feed improvisation and supplementation.
At the heart of this agricultural revolution is Christine Ikiring, a 44-year-old single mother and caregiver to eight adopted children. Ikiring has ingeniously transformed maggot farming into a lucrative enterprise that sustains her extended family on a daily basis.
Operating on just half an acre of land in Akumoi One Village, Akumoi Parish, Pingire Town Council, Ikiring efficiently manages her poultry and sheep flock. However, faced with financial constraints hindering her ability to purchase conventional feeds for her chickens, Ikiring embarked on a hunt for black soldier flies in the bush. Within a mere two weeks, her efforts yielded millions of larvae, providing a sustainable source of nutrition for her livestock.
According to Ikiring, maggots boast high nutritional value, making them an ideal supplement for various animals, including fish, pigs, rabbits, and poultry. She attests to their affordability and superiority as substitutes for traditional feed ingredients like fish meal and soybeans.
Ikiring’s success has not gone unnoticed, with neighboring farmers flocking to her compound to purchase maggots for their own poultry. However, despite the growing demand, Ikiring faces limitations in scaling up production due to inadequate capital.
Benjamin Alito, a dedicated development worker, has been instrumental in training Ikiring and over 40 other farmers in Serere district on maggot farming techniques. Alito emphasizes the importance of expanding such training initiatives to empower more farmers in harnessing the potential of black soldier fly maggots for livestock feed.
Beyond poultry farming, Ikiring’s entrepreneurial spirit extends to sheep rearing, where her flock serves as a testament to her farming prowess. Recently, she reinvested proceeds from sheep sales to acquire additional land, underscoring her commitment to farm expansion and sustainable livelihoods.
In light of grassroots innovations like Ikiring’s, State Minister for Lakes and Fisheries, Helen Adoa, sees farming as a key strategy in the fight against poverty in Serere district. Adoa champions such innovative approaches, believing they hold the promise of economic prosperity and community development.
As maggot farming gains momentum, propelled by success stories like Christine Ikiring’s, Serere district stands on the brink of a transformative shift in livestock management practices, offering a ray of hope for sustainable agriculture and rural empowerment.