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Online training workshop on self-producing aquaculture feed techniques for traditional farmers
07 July 2022   |   Events

The Online training workshop on self-producing aquaculture feed techniques for traditional farmers was implemented as a critical activity of the IORA Blue Economy Work Plan to address the high costs of aquaculture feed, which typically represent 40% to 60% of total production expenses. Held on 7 July 2022 in a virtual format, the workshop’s primary purpose was to provide rural and small-scale aquaculture farms with the essential skills and technical know-how to adopt insect farming as a sustainable alternative for protein production. Key objectives included presenting the nutritional value of insect meal, offering affordable technology for constructing production units, and providing access to technical protocols for traditional farmers. 

 

The event was organized through the AFD Technical Assistance to IORA, implemented by COFREPECHE and SOFRECO in collaboration with the IORA Secretariat. Participation was diverse, with a maximum of 60 connections recorded from across the region, including representatives from Member States such as Iran, Kenya, Malaysia, Seychelles, and Tanzania. The attendees consisted of aquaculture technicians, extension officers, and experts from research institutions (38%), government ministries (29%), and the private sector (24%). 

 

The program featured intensive sessions on the Black Soldier Fly (BSF), showcasing its ability to grow on various organic wastes and its nutritional profile, which is highly comparable to fish meal.  

 

Key activities included :  

  • a tutorial on constructing artisanal production units using local materials 
  •  and a video demonstration of a semi-industrial insect farm. 

 

Participants engaged in discussions regarding the digestibility of larvae and methods for separating larvae from waste. Main outcomes included a high average evaluation score of 4.7 out of 5, with primary recommendations for IORA to prioritize capacity building and foster regional collaboration among Member States already engaged in insect farming. This workshop aligns directly with IORA’s Blue Economy priority, contributing to regional cooperation by enhancing self-reliance and reducing the dependence on wild-capture fisheries for fish meal production.