The Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAECBiotechnology )'s and Nuclear Agriculture Research Institute (BNARI) has trained farmers on how to transform organic waste into high-quality nutrients for animal feed.
The research institute's Black Soldier Fly (BSF) technology may be used to convert data.
Farmers and agribusiness owners had the chance to learn how to apply the same technology to increase soil fertility during the two-day training event.
Participants were guided by facilitators through lessons on the biology and advantages of black soldier flies, the technique of mass growing them, housing and farm management, and the manufacture of compost.
Techniques
Techniques
The Director-General of GAEC, Professor Samuel Boakye Dampare, said in a speech to participants yesterday[July 6, 2022] that after ten years of study, BNARI has mastered a range of BSF techniques, from raising to their application in animal feed and organic agricultural production.
"We are prepared to convey the BSF technology to the Ghanaian people," he continued. "We have created significant institutional capability via research over the years."
According to Prof. Dampare's research, the black soldier fly can transform organic waste into high-quality nutrients for pet food, fish and poultry feeds, and it can use the leftovers or frass as fertiliser to improve the soil.
"The BSF larvae may feed on decaying organic waste, such as organic dung, chicken manure, and fish waste, since they have huge and strong biting mouthparts.
The Director-General of GAEC recommended, "I urge you to be very vigilant as you apply this technology and instantly alert BNARI of any new item you observe throughout its use in your particular environment."
Wastage
For his part, Dr. Fidelis Ocloo, the Deputy Director of BNARI, indicated that figures from the Food and Agriculture Organization revealed that one-third of food produced for human use was wasted globally each year, or around 1.3 billion tonnes.
For instance, the fruit and vegetable markets in Ghana produce a lot of organic waste. This BSF bug may be utilised to produce beneficial items like protein feed for agricultural animals while also reducing the volume of garbage created by roughly 60%, he noted.
Dr. Ocloo thanked the attendees for investing their time in learning about the technology and challenged them to put what they had learned to use.
Participants who successfully completed the training's theoretical and practical sections received certificates.
A step-by-step instruction booklet was also given to the participants.