The Permanent Secretary for Agriculture and Waterways, Dr. Andrew Tukana, recently met with the delegation from the International Center of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE) Africa and the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) who are in Fiji to assess and finalise the action plans on the potential for insect-based livestock feed production in Fiji.

The Africa delegation is in Fiji from 2 to 8 March to facilitate and assist in the co-development of a regional project on scaling insect rearing for livestock feed production in Fiji and the Pacific.

During the 5-day visit, the Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways will work closely with the ICIPE experts on the following activities:

• Commence the design of the large Pacific Black Soldier Fly (BSF) project, led by ICIPE partnering with MOAW and the Fiji National University (FNU). Other relevant stakeholders will join the project as it establishes and develops.

• The Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways will initially collaborate with local partners to develop the techniques of research and development.

• Livestock feed supply, particularly the protein component, is a critical bottleneck to optimising the potential of monogastric production in Fiji. Black soldier fly larvae rearing and feeding is a way forward, as it can greatly benefit livestock feed production, waste management and fertilizer production.

• The major output will be the establishment of the insect-rearing pilot facility at the Koronivia Research Station, build staff competency, and further develop the potential for scaling up the techniques with the private sector.

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