**Nyangambe, Zimbabwe**
In the southeastern region of Zimbabwe, farmers like Mari Choumumba initially reacted with fear to the idea of farming maggots, especially after a devastating drought wiped out their main crop: corn. The adverse effects of climate change, compounded by several cholera outbreaks caused by poor sanitation, led many to view flies as a nuisance to be eliminated rather than harnessed for agricultural benefit.
Choumumba conveyed the community’s apprehension during a meeting where officials from the government and USAID introduced the unconventional concept of maggot farming aimed at generating sustainable animal feed and manure. Although many attendees expected discussions around food aid, their hopes were dashed when the focus shifted to composting flies.
A year later, Choumumba, now 54, proudly manages a maggot farm, transforming organic waste into a valuable protein source for her chickens. By harvesting maggots monthly, she significantly reduces the cost of feeding her poultry, which previously made up to 80% of her chicken production expenses. According to Francis Makura, a USAID expert working to enhance economic opportunities for farmers affected by climate fluctuations, maggot farming can lower production costs by roughly 40%.
The maggots that Choumumba cultivates come from the black soldier fly, a species that does not transmit diseases like the common housefly. With a life cycle of just a few weeks, these flies can lay hundreds of eggs, and their larvae thrive on decaying organic matter, converting it into a nutrient-rich protein feed.
Agricultural experts advocate for the expansion of black soldier fly farming across Africa, emphasizing its low production costs and potential to bolster agriculture, a sector under significant pressure from climate change and geopolitical events, such as the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Initiatives in countries like Uganda have shown promise in addressing fertilizer shortages, while Nigeria and Kenya report commercial successes in maggot farming.
In Zimbabwe, the government, along with other organizations, has introduced maggot farming to assist farmers facing difficulties in accessing traditional feed like soya meal. This approach became essential following substantial damage from a cyclone in 2019, with maggot farming emerging as a crucial recovery tool for communities grappling with repeated droughts.
Initially, only a small fraction of farmers expressed interest—around 5%—in pursuing maggot farming. However, this number has risen to approximately 50% as awareness of the associated benefits spread. Despite initial hesitation due to the “yuck factor,” many have recognized the immense advantages of this innovative farming practice.
With established livestock like cattle declining due to the drought, smaller animals such as chickens have become key for community resilience. Musundire notes that farmers can generate a decent income in a comparatively short time using available resources.
The environmental impact of this farming method is also notable. Zimbabwe generates approximately 1.6 million tons of waste each year, most of which can be processed or recycled. Feeding this waste to maggots significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions in a nation with inconsistent waste management practices.
At a university-managed breeding center, faculty and students collect significant amounts of organic waste monthly, utilizing it to cultivate maggots efficiently. This waste, which contributes to greenhouse gases when left unattended, is transformed into nutritious feed for livestock and organic fertilizer within weeks.
Proponents of this method, like Choumumba, often encounter skepticism from their communities when collecting organic refuse such as banana peels for their farms. However, she continues undeterred, refuting claims that maggot farming leads to cholera outbreaks. As her farm thrives, Choumumba produces up to 15 kilograms of maggots in just 21 days, turning that into over 375 kilograms of chicken feed by mixing with drought-resistant crops.
She sells her chicken feed to fellow villagers at a price far below conventional animal feed costs, while also supplying free-range chickens and eggs to local restaurants. Choumumba shares in this venture with 13 other women in her village, illustrating the growing acceptance and financial viability of maggot farming in her community.
“I never thought I would survive on raising maggots,” Choumumba said, as she worked alongside her neighbor to create nutritious meals for the insects using discarded vegetables and cornmeal.
Despite the initial skepticism surrounding the practice, she acknowledges the potential benefits, saying, “For many, the sight and smell can be off-putting, but to us farmers, it’s a resource that spells opportunity.”