By Eddah Waithaka
The 2nd Eastern Africa Agroecology Conference showcased groundbreaking innovations in sustainable agriculture, with Dr. Chrysantus Mbi Tanga, Senior Scientist and Head of the Insects for Food, Feed and Other Uses (INSEFF) Programme at the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), delivering a compelling keynote address.
Dr. Tanga championed insect frass fertilizer as a game-changer for soil health and agri-food systems transformation in Africa.
Addressing Africa’s Agricultural Challenges
Dr. Tanga highlighted critical issues threatening African agriculture, including: Severe soil degradation in agroecosystems, which undermines crop productivity. Increasing pest and disease outbreaks, jeopardizing food security.
He presented insect-based solutions as a sustainable alternative, emphasizing: Insect frass fertilizer, which outperforms traditional organic fertilizers with higher nutrient content, soil acidity reduction, and pest suppression.
Insect-based biorationals, derived from chitin, as eco-friendly tools for pest management and crop protection.
Scaling Up Frass Fertilizer for Wider Impact
Dr. Tanga emphasized the urgent need to expand frass fertilizer production, highlighting its potential to boost soil health and crop yields, enhance climate resilience, recycle agro-industrial waste, and create jobs while improving livelihoods.
He acknowledged that achieving this scale-up demands significant investment in research and technology, stronger partnerships and policy support, and the establishment of quality control and commercialization standards.
The event aligns with the African Union’s Ecological Organic Agriculture (EOA) Initiative, which promotes sustainable farming across the continent. Icipe Showcases Agroecology Innovations. Icipe actively participated in the conference, with its Technology Transfer Unit (TTU) exhibiting cutting-edge solutions.
The TTU bridges the gap between researchers, farmers, and policymakers, accelerating the adoption of sustainable technologies.
Notable icipe scientists in attendance included Dr. Samira Mohammed, Head of the Agriculture & Climate Change Thematic Research Programme, Dr. Frank Chidawanyika, Coordinator of the Regional Multi-actor Research Network for Agroecology, and Dr. Takemore Chagomoka, Head of the Technology Transfer Unit, whose participation reinforced icipe’s commitment to advancing agroecology and transforming Africa’s food systems.
Further, the conference reinforced the urgent need for sustainable agricultural practices. With insect frass fertilizer and biorationals gaining traction, Africa stands to benefit from healthier soils, higher yields, and a more resilient food system. If stakeholders invest in research, policy, and scalable solutions.
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