Funders, Partners and Theses

Donors

IFWA is funded by the Swiss Programme for Research on Global Issues for Development, a joint funding initiative by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF).

Partners

CABI Switzerland– Project co-ordinator
Marc Kenis
UdNUniversité de Neuchâtel (Switzerland)
Marion Fresia & Alexandre Aebi
UdACUniversité d’Abomey-Calavi (Bénin)
Christophe Chrysostome
INdEAdBInstitut National des Recherches Agricoles du Bénin (Bénin)
Guy Apollinaire Mensah
CABI West Africa Centre
Victor Clottey
CSIRCouncil for Scientific and Industrial Research (Ghana)
Emmanuel N’Kegbe
Fish for AfricaFish for Africa, Ghana
Gabriel Koko
UPdBDUniversité Nazi Boni de Bobo-Dioulasso (Burkina Faso)
Fernand Sankara & Salimata Sonde Pousga

Theses and Postdocs

Twelve PhD and over 40 MSc and Bsc theses will be carried out in the framework of the IFWA project. In addition, the project employs several young researchers at postdoctoral level.

PhD theses
You will find a brief description for each of the 12 PhD theses below.

Abdul Gafar Sanou (Université Nazi Boni – Institut du Développement Rural, Burkina Faso)

Thesis title: Systems for mass production of house fly larvae, Musca domestica (Diptera: Muscidae) in the Sudanian zone of Burkina Faso.
In his thesis, Gafar first assesses the traditional use and production systems of fly larvae by poultry farmers in southern Burkina Faso. He will then study the potential for rearing and producing house fly larvae in semi-natural conditions. Finally, he will investigate the natural enemies of house flies in the region and assess their potential nuisance in fly larvae production systems.
Gafar’s thesis was successfully defended in August 2019

Adin Bloukounon Goubalan (UAC – Faculté des Sciences Agronomiques, Bénin)

Thesis title: Quality of the substrates decomposed by fly larvae and their potential as soil amendment.
Adin’s PhD thesis aims to improve knowledge on the effects of maggots in the decomposition of organic wastes and explore the potential of using the residues of house fly larvae production systems to improve soil fertility for vegetable production (tomato, carrot and amaranth). The typology and physico-chemical characterisation of organic residues used as organic soil conditioners will also be studied. The kinetics of residues’ decomposition and nutrients’ mineralisation will be evaluated to develop organic fertilisation plans. The physical, chemical and biological properties of soils after application of the residues as well as the productivity of vegetable crops will be assessed. The final goal will be to develop organic composts for vegetable crops based on fly larvae production residues.
Adin’s thesis was successfully defended in February 2019

Aimé Kocou Edenakpo (INRAB and UAC – Faculté des Sciences Agronomiques, Bénin)

Thesis title: Influence of maggot-based food rations on the reproductive performance of local chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus LINNAEUS 1758) and socio-economic effects among traditional poultry farmers in Benin.
Aimé is a PhD student of UAC carrying out a part of his work at INRAB. The general objective of his thesis is to study reproductive performances (nesting, hatching, chick survival, etc.), egg quality and growth performance of chicken of local ecotypes fed with house fly larvae. More specifically, (1) he will assess the reproduction performances of three local chicken ecotypes reared in three different breeding systems at various levels of confinement; (2) the same ecotypes and breeding systems will be used to test the effect of the incorporation of house fly larvae in their diet; (3) one ecotype and one breeding system will be used to test various incorporation levels of house fly larvae into the diet.
Aimé’s thesis was successfully defended in November 2020

Charles Bertrand Pomalegni (INRAB, Bénin)

Thesis title: Perceptions, zootechnical performances and nutritional quality of ecotypes of local chicken (Gallus gallus) fed with diets based on house fly larvae (Musca domestica) in Benin.
Charles is a zootechnician and research scientist at INRAB, Benin. His PhD thesis aims to (1) analyse factors determining the use of fly larvae in traditional poultry feed in Benin; (2) compare the physical forms of house fly larvae to include in the feed of traditional poultry (3) assess the technical and economic performances of chicken fed with house fly larvae and (4) assess the nutritional and gustative quality of meat and eggs produced with house fly larvae.
Charles’ thesis was successfully defended in November 2017

Emmanuel Nkegbe (CSIR-Animal Research Institute, Ghana)

Thesis title: Musca domestica larvae meal as alternate protein source in scavenging poultry; Aspects of health and safety.
Emmanuel is a microbiologist and a research scientist at CSIR-Animal Research Institute. He leads Work-package 5 that covers activities on health, safety and environmental sustainability of the use of insects as feed in West Africa. At the same he is carrying out his PhD research which assesses various aspects of health and safety in the  use of housefly larvae meal as alternate protein source in poultry feed on scavenging chicken, producers and consumers.

Gabriel Adu-Aboagye (CSIR-Animal Research Institute, Ghana)

Thesis title: The reproductive performance of indigenous poultry fed larvae meal.
Gabriel is a research scientist at CSIR-Animal Research Institute. His PhD thesis will focus on the use of fly larvae as feed for indigenous poultry in Ghana. The specific objectives will be to (1) assess the partial replacement of fishmeal with fly larvae meal in the diet of local poultry and its effect on growth performance; (2) evaluate the reproductive performance of hens and cocks up to their peak egg production; (3) evaluate the effect of experimental diets on fertility, hatchability and the performance of the progeny; (4) assess the economics of production of local poultry fed fly larvae meal.

Haffizou Ganda (UAC – Faculté des Sciences Agronomiques, Bénin)

Thesis title: House flies (M. domestica L. 1758) larval potential production on crops and livestock substrates or by-products and their sustainable conservation methods assessment.
The general objective of Haffizou’s thesis is to develop efficient and sustainable systems to produce fly larvae for rural communities and small enterprises in Benin. He will compare different substrates for larval rearing and their by-products, and the best substrates will be proposed. The chemical composition of house fly larvae produced on four different substrates (maize bran, soy bran, chicken manure and pig manure) will be compared. An efficient and sustainable rearing system for house fly adults, based on locally available resources will be proposed. This study will also assess different drying and conservation methods, including their effects on the quality of dried larvae.
Haffizou’s thesis was successfully defended in October 2020

Hettie Arwo Boafo (CABI West Africa Centre, Ghana)

Thesis title: Development of insects rearing systems for the black soldier fly and termites for use by smallholder poultry and fish farmers.
Hettie is an entomologist who worked as a teaching assistant at the African Regional Postgraduate Programme in Insect Science, University of Ghana. For IFWA she develops efficient and locally adaptive fly larvae production systems using waste produced in Ghana. As part of her work, various waste produced will be tested for their suitability in rearing fly larvae. In addition, she is engaged in documenting the use of termites as feed in Ghana, studying collection and harvesting methods as well as improving and optimising the methods of collection.
Hettie’s thesis was successfully defended in April 2022

Siegfried Obresie Afedzie (CSIR-Animal Research Institute, Ghana)

Thesis title: Economic assessment of integrating black soldier fly larvae meal into feed for broiler production in Ghana.
Siegfried is a research scientist at the CSIR-Animal Research Institute in Ghana. His PhD study posits that replacing fishmeal with insect (Black Soldier Fly (BSF) or Housefly) larvae meal would help to reduce feed costs. The success of this feeding technology however depends on its profitability, farmers’ willingness to pay and consumers’ acceptance of the product. The objectives of his thesis are to (1) determine the profitability of BSF larvae production; (2) determine profitability of replacing fishmeal with BSF meal in poultry diets; (3) determine farmers willingness to pay for BSF meal and the driving factors; (4) assess consumer preference for poultry fed BSF meal and the driving factors. These factors are being studied within the Ghanaian context to design strategies towards successful introduction of the technology.
Siegfried’s thesis was successfully defended in December 2018

Nadia A. Christelle Dao (Université Nazi Boni – Institut du Développement Rural, Burkina Faso)

Thesis title: Optimisation  of collection and trapping techniques of termites used  in traditional poultry farming in Burkina Faso.
Nadia is an entomologist who has already completed successfully two undergraduate theses at IDR in the framework of IFWA before embarking for a PhD. In this thesis, she will complete her studies on the sustainable use of termites as poultry feed in smallholder farms in Burkina Faso. In particular, she investigates which are the best and most sustainable techniques to trap termites on farm, how these techniques can be improved and how they can be disseminated.

Ibrahima Traoré (Université Nazi Boni – Institut du Développement Rural, Burkina Faso)

Thesis title: Evaluation of the nutritional quality of housefly larvae (Musca domestica, L.) and termites (Macrotermes sp.) used in the diet of local chickens (Gallus domesticus, L.) and guinea fowls (Numida meleagris, L.) in Burkina Faso

Ibrahima’s thesis consist in four activities. Firstly, he will analyze the feeding behaviour of local guinea fowls in presence of fly larvae and other feed. Secondly, he will assess the effect of boiled maggots on layers’ performance and egg quality. Then, the effect of the addition of fresh termites on layers’ performances and chicks’ weight will be assessed. The final study will consist in a study of the effect of termites and maggots on the growth and laying performances of young hens in village conditions.

Ibrahima’s thesis was successfully defended in March 2022

Appélété Arnaud Allodehoun (UAC – Faculté des Sciences Agronomiques, Bénin)

Thesis title: Development of termite collection systems and their valorization as protein source in the diet of guinea fowls and chickens

After a Master thesis on fly larvae in the framework of IFWA, Appélété has now started a PhD on the other insect group covered by the project, i.e. termites. The objectives of his thesis are, firstly, to optimize the termite trapping systems; secondly, to evaluate the nutritional composition of termites and the possible toxicity of some species; thirdly, to promote termites as a source of protein in the diet of chickens and guinea fowls in the starter and grower phases; finally, to assess the effect of termite supplementation in the diet of guinea fowl on layer phase on farm and on station.

Other theses

At least 50 MSc and BSc students will be involved in the project. A list of MSc students having already completed or started their thesis before January 2019 is provided below.

IDR (Burkina Faso):

Nadia A. Christelle Dao. Inventory and optimisation of techniques for termite collection and production in three regions of Burkina Faso: Centre Ouest, Plateau Central and Nord (completed in 2016).
Somalgré Ouédraogo. Comparative study of three diets including two based on two different termite species and one based on fish meal as an animal protein source (completed in 2016).
Jeanne Bamogo. Optimisation of production techniques for fly larvae in the region of Hauts-Bassins (completed in 2017).
Florence Sankara. Co-construction of techniques for extracting and drying fly larvae in Southern Burkina Faso (completed in 2017).

Marc Somé. Effects of chicken manure and maggot production substrates on maize production and soil fertility (completed in 2017).
Joram Zongo. Acceptability of fly larvae by chicken and Guinea fowls (completed in 2018).
Nadia A. Christelle Dao. Design of collection and sorting systems for termites of the genus Macrotermes in western Burkina Faso (completed in 2018).
Hawa Fatilata Sanou. Analysis of perceptions of poultry farmers on production and use of insects (maggots and termites) in poultry feed in the villages of Siniéna and Gombélédougou in Burkina Faso (completed in 2018).

Florence Sankara. Apport de l’entomofaune dans l’aviculture à l’Ouest du Burkina Faso : cas de la mouche soldat noire (Hermetia illucens L.). MSc thesis, Institut du Développement Rural, Université Nazi Boni de Bobo-Dioulasso (completed in 2020).

UAC – Faculté des Sciences Agronomiques (Bénin):
Crésus Vignon Odjo Zossou. Potential profitability and adoption perspectives of insects in poultry farming in Ouaké (completed in 2017).
Hermann Aristide Abihona. Study of the biology and breeding systems of the house fly (Musca domestica, Diptera: muscidae) in Benin: implications for the development of medium-scale maggot production units (completed in 2017).
Faki Chabi. Evaluation of the physico-chemical properties of residues of maggot production for the fertilisation of vegetable crops (completed in 2017).
Norbert Erokotan. Effect of residues of fly larvae rearing on the production and  nutrition of amarath in South Benin (completed in 2017).
Martine Gandjeto Mahugnon Evaluation of the effect of the termites Trinervitermes trinervius (Rambur) used as a feed supplement on digestibility of diet and bioeconomic performances of growing of broilers) (completed in 2017).
Mérodak Eudes Syllas Gambada. Influence of ingredient-based diets with probiotic properties and maggots (Musca domestica) on the zootechnical performance of two strains of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) (completed in 2018).
Appélété Arnaud Allodehoun. Assessment of housefly larvae (Musca domestica) as protein source for local guinea fowl (Meleagris numida). MSc thesis, Université of Abomey-Calavi, Benin (completed in 2018).
Faustin Dokui. Evaluation of bio-economics performances of cockerels supplemented with termites Trinervitermes trinervius in starter phase (completed in 2018).
Elisabeth Gbahoué Lokossou. Assessing the optimal conditions for the acceptance the use of maggots in traditional poultry feed: case of the commune of Bopa (completed in 2018).
Noël Obognon. Kinetics of the decomposition of biodegraded substrates by fly larvae and mineralization of nutrients in ferrallitic soil in southern Benin (completed in 2018)
Mathilde Togbé. Analysis of local chicken breeding systems in the commune of Aplahoué (on-going).
Honorine Viaho. Assessment of the productivity of black soldier fly larvae, Hermetia illucens (Diptera : Stratiomyidae) on plant and animal substrates and calculation of biological parameters of the species (on-going).

UAC – carried out at least partly at INRAB (Bénin):
Sègla Rodrigue Djossou. Utilisation of Jatropha curcas seed cake and its residues for maggot production and soil fertilisation (completed in 2016).
Barrès Baudelaire Dagbémabou Dassou. Determination of the ingestion rate of four forms of physical presentations of fly larvae (Musca domestica) by ecotypes of local chicken in Benin (completed in 2017).
Mahussi Marius Aubin Anato. Zootechnical performances of chicken of the Holli ecotype fed with maggot meal in southern Benin  (on-going).
Mahugnon Koffi Morel Vignonzan. Bromatological quality of maggots dried with different thermic sources (on-going).
François Darius Accombressi Dynamics of fly populations and dissemination of pathogens in a maggot production system (on-going)
Moussa Abdoul Hahi: Assessment of BSF larvae productivity in a farm and effects on local chicken growth. (on-going)

UNINE – University of Neuchâtel (Switzerland):
Robert Mikolajewski. Insects as Feed in West Africa (IFWA) Bénin :  Analyse compréhensive des mécanismes de construction, d’intervention et de réception d’un projet de recherche et développement) (completed in 2019).
Jonathan Wütrich. La participation et l’articulation de la recherche et du développement dans le projet IFWA au Ghana (completed in 2018).
Jean-Marie Oppliger. Des asticots pour la sécurité alimentaire et économique : Étude du processus d’adoption d’une innovation en aviculture dans le projet IFWA (Burkina Faso) (completed in 2018).

Postdoctoral researchers
Several Postdocs also play a key role in the success of IFWA. Those active in January 2019 are:

Charlemagne Judes D. S. Gbemavo (INRAB, Bénin)
Charlemagne is a biometrician who plays an essential role in supporting INRAB and UAC students as well as other teams in statistics and biometry.
Quentin Mégret (University of Neuchâtel, Switzerland)
Quentin is an anthropologist who studies the socio-anthropological factors that may influence the reception and implementation of the project, and more precisely the overall social acceptability of using insects as feed for poultry and fish as well as the unexpected consequences such an innovation may have on local social dynamics.