Experts suggest using insects and earthworms as alternative livestock feeds

Agricultural experts have recommended integrating alternative sources of feeds in livestock rearing to reduce the rising cost of animal feeds and promote sustainable food security. At the second National Animal Feed Summit, agricultural experts identified various materials such as cassava peels, seaweed, sugarcane bagasse, banana peels, pea, insects, earthworms and brewer-dried grain as alternative feeds for animals.

The summit, organized by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and Sahel Consulting Agriculture and Nutrition Limited, also lamented the high prices of animal feeds, with livestock feeds consuming 70% of production costs, limiting the sector’s contribution to the nation’s gross domestic product to just 5%.

At the panel session titled, “Harnessing alternative feed resources for sustainable animal feed supply,” Professor Cordelia Ebenebe of Nnamdi Azikiwe University’s Department of Animal Science said that the prospect of alternative feed resources presented opportunities for sustainable and innovative approaches to the production of livestock and other animals. She added that stakeholders must harness and process alternative feed resources such as insects to reduce the cost of food production.

A member of the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria, Akeem Ajaeigbe, also warned that climate change and its associated changes were a significant concern that threatens the ability of current livestock systems to support livelihood and meet the increasing demand for livestock products. However, he noted that continued research, development, and adoption of alternative feed sources could contribute to more sustainable and resilient livestock systems in Nigeria.