College of Agriculture & Natural Resources Department of Entomology

EAST LANSING, Michigan – This summer, more than 100 delegates from 12 countries, including the United States, Germany, Switzerland, Uganda, Kenya and Nigeria, came together in Kampala, Uganda, to address the challenges of access and sustainable supply of insects for food and feed in Africa. 

Michigan State University Professor Eric Benbow and Dr. Deborah Ruth Amulen of Makerere University in Kampala, organized The Global Symposium on Insects for Food, Feed & Food Security in Africa held June 5-6, 2025.  

The symposium brought together experts and stakeholders who are engaged in advancing insects for food, feed and food security to discuss knowledge exchange and generation, product development and marketing, capacity building and developing a strategic research agenda for future food security using insects. 

“It was amazing that we had more than 10 countries attend the symposium and that it was focused on solutions in Africa developed by Africans, highlighting that the expansion and development of new economies associated with insects will come from within Africa, not directed by others,” Benbow said. “These international events, especially in lower-income regions of the world, are important for MSU to attend. They broaden perspectives that are important for developing as a person, as a professional and as an academic. These experiences provide and enhance opportunities for expanded empathy and recognition of the importance of diversity in this world and to MSU.” 

Benbow is a professor and Global Scholar with a joint appointment in the Department of Entomology and Department Osteopathic Medical Specialties, with more than 20 years of collaborative research in countries with developing economies spanning the globe from Africa, Polynesia, South America and Asia. His research program has developed around basic and applied insect and microbial ecology, with a history of studying disease in West Africa, and more recent activities in building partnerships for food security in Uganda, Malawi and Nigeria  

“I am passionate about using science, capacity building and collaborations for improving lives in the most vulnerable regions of the world,” he said. 

Insects have played significant roles in the food, feed and nutrition security in sub-Saharan Africa, where about 1.9 billion people are reported to lack consistent access to appropriate nutrition.  

Another rapidly expanding use of insects in food security is insect farming for animal feed, such as that of the Black Soldier Fly (BSF). BSF is a non-pest insect that can be produced at industrial scales at very low costs. At any scale, a major benefit of BSF farming is to offset expensive feed costs for livestock and aquaculture, thereby improving livelihoods, economic opportunities and food security, and provide affordable fertilizer at various scales. 

The symposium was structured around four thematic areas: 

1. Insect as animal feeds for sustainable livestock production livelihoods 
2. Insect for human food and food security, including indigenous insect food systems 
3. Insects for improved soil health and crop production 
4. Regulation and standardization of insect farming and products 

“I was very interested to learn about the newest developments in black soldier fly (BSF) farming, and the use of other insects as food and feed in Africa,” said Kelly Waters, a PhD candidate in the Benbow Lab. “I enjoyed visiting the BSF farms in Uganda led by Dr. Amulen and learning about ongoing collaborations within Uganda and neighboring nations. So much work is being done to further BSF, and other insect farming to contribute not only food and feed, but fertilizer, waste management, and building economies.” 

The symposium assembled researchers, development stakeholders, regulators and practitioners to develop a research agenda specifically aimed to: 

1. Exchange knowledge among scientists, development actors, regulators and farmers 
2. Identify research gaps in the themes of insects for feed, food and food security in Africa 
3. Develop a strategic plan for accelerated adoption of insect for feed and food farming in Uganda and Africa 
4. Identify and develop a research agenda for the four themes of the conference 
5. Network scholars from global South and North to promote insects for food, feed, and food security.  

“We were able to visit the farms where black soldier flies are farmed for feed, and during that field trip, we were able to meet and interact with others from Africa that share the same enthusiasm for moving this enterprise to improve the human condition,” Benbow said. “We were also able to visit Dr. Deborah Amulen’s home village, experience ‘real’ Africa, with dancing food and friendship. Along the way to her village, we also visited the school of the Aboke Girls book – a story everyone should read.” 

Kat Yoskowitz, a graduate student in the Benbow Lab, said, “the event was an incredible opportunity to learn from researchers outside of the U.S. about global problems. There were policymakers, researchers, farmers, government officials, business owners and community volunteers from many different countries sharing their experiences and knowledge.  It was amazing to see how individuals in each of these areas were coming together to attack the problem of food insecurity in tandem with one another.” 

“Specifically, I was interested in the research presented on the microbiomes of insects as an application for large-scale human problems like food security,” said Yoskowitz, whose research is focused on studying the insect microbiomes of forest pests. “Dr. Deborah Amulen was incredibly impressive. In approaching the broad challenge of food security, she has focused on community education and outreach. She has been able to make an enormous impact in her community and communities across Uganda.” 

The first Global Symposium on Insect as Food, Feed and Food Security in Africa was a resounding success, addressing major research themes, inspiring new and innovative discussions and partnerships, engaging scientists and farmers with other development actors, and inspiring governmental and NGO officials about the future of insects in improved food secure security in Africa.  

This was accomplished with ambitious and poised local leadership that cultivated an atmosphere for productive dialogue that will undoubtedly advance the importance of insects in food, feed and food security for Africa, Benbow said.