PRODUCTION OF INSECT-BASED PROTEIN MEAL AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO CONVENTIONAL SOURCES IN LIVESTOCK ENTERPRISES

Abstract

Predictions suggest that by 2050, the global population will be more than 9 billion people, leading to a potential 70% surge in the demand for animal proteins. The production of poultry incurs a significant cost, with about 70–75% attributed to feed expenses. Producers in developing nations, such as Nigeria, grapple with challenges stemming from the high prices of protein and energy-rich feed ingredients, impacting the overall cost and pricing of poultry feeds. The high prices and limited availability of conventional feed ingredients especially fish meal (FM) and soybean meal (SBM) underscore the need for sustainable alternatives with comparable amino acid profile most especially lysine and methionine. In this context, exploring alternative and cost-effective sources of animal protein becomes crucial for mitigating production overheads. One promising avenue involves the integration of insects, particularly the black soldier fly (BSF), into poultry diets. The BSF is unlike other insect species that are lethal and pathogenic; and it is well-suited for large-scale industrial manufacturing of livestock feed. Livestock meals derived from BSF larvae (BSFL) present a reliable, economical, and highly nutritious alternative to traditional animal protein sources. The BSF larvae proteins is a prospective alternative to the conventional protein sources. Integrating BSFL into poultry production systems emerges as a promising strategy to enhance sustainability, waste management, circular bioeconomy (re-use, recycle), low-cost alternative to fish meal, mitigation of greenhouse gases (GHG) emission and positive impact on the health and welfare of poultry species.