Insect-based feeds offer sustainable future for poultry production, says Makerere don

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The search for alternative and sustainable poultry feed ingredients is gaining urgency worldwide as insects are emerging as a strong alternative, according to Dr Karlmax Rutaro, a lecturer at the College of Natural Sciences at Makerere University.

Poultry production is the fastest-growing segment of the global agri-food sector, supplying vital animal protein to a rapidly expanding population.

Projections indicate that demand for poultry meat could double by 2050, while egg consumption is expected to rise by about 40 per cent.

While this growth presents opportunities across the poultry value chain, it puts pressure on feed production systems. Climate change, shrinking natural resources, and competition between food, feed, and fuel production are intensifying the challenge of sourcing affordable and nutritious feed ingredients.

“Insect farming requires less water and space and can be practised in both urban and rural settings with relatively low capital investment,” Rutaro explained. He said this on February 11, 2026, to provide expert information on insect farming.

“Species such as black soldier flies, houseflies, mealworms, crickets, and grasshoppers are gaining attention as sustainable protein sources for poultry feeding,” he added.

Rutaro says insects are nutritionally comparable to conventional feed ingredients. Depending on species, developmental stage, and diet, insect protein content ranges between 35 and 60 per cent of dry weight, similar to soybean meal, a widely used poultry protein source.

Insects contain beneficial fats ranging from 8 to 41 per cent, including omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. They are rich in vitamins such as riboflavin, pantothenic acid, and biotin, as well as essential minerals including iron, zinc, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus.

“These nutritional qualities mean insect-based meals can meet poultry dietary requirements, including essential amino acids and fatty acids, while maintaining good digestibility and feed acceptance,” Rutaro said.

He emphasised that beyond nutrition, insect feed offers health benefits for poultry. Bioactive compounds such as chitin and antimicrobial peptides help improve gut health and immunity.

Chitin acts as a prebiotic that supports beneficial gut bacteria, while antimicrobial peptides provide natural disease-fighting properties, potentially reducing reliance on costly antibiotics.

Research indicates that poultry raised on insect-enriched diets can show improved growth rates, better feed conversion efficiency and enhanced product quality, including stronger eggshells, richer yolks and tender meat.

Rutaro added that insect farming brings environmental and economic advantages. Species such as the black soldier fly can be raised on low-value organic waste, including food scraps and agricultural byproducts, converting them into high-protein feed and organic fertiliser.

“This supports a circular food system and reduces organic waste going to landfills,” he noted. “Compared to conventional protein sources like soy, insect farming uses less land and water and produces lower greenhouse gas and ammonia emissions.”

Economically, local insect production could help stabilise feed costs by reducing dependence on imported fishmeal and soybean meal.

Rutaro said this shift could improve profitability for farmers while creating new employment opportunities in the emerging insect farming sector, particularly in developing countries.

As global demand for poultry products continues to grow, insect-based feeds may offer a practical pathway toward more resilient, affordable and environmentally sustainable poultry production.