Closing date: 15 Jan 2024

The agricultural sector plays a pivotal role in the economies of many African countries and is integral to ensuring food security. Within this sector, poultry farming stands as a significant component, contributing both to livelihoods and nutritional sustenance. Nevertheless, poultry farmers face critical challenges stemming from the cost and accessibility of high-quality feed, which directly impact their productivity and overall profitability. In recent years, global attention has shifted towards integrating insect protein into animal feed, heralded as a sustainable and nutrient-rich alternative. Concurrently, forage crops such as Desmodium intortum, renowned for their exceptional protein content (reaching up to 24%) and diverse nutritional attributes, hold promise as a substitute for traditional feed components. Additionally, the inclusion of insect-derived oil further enriches the nutritional spectrum within poultry diets.

This research project aims to investigate the feasibility and potential advantages of enriching poultry feed by incorporating insect protein, and forage crop-derived proteins in Kenya. The project will evaluate the effects of diets enriched with defatted black soldier fly larval (BSFL) meal, BSFL oil, and Desmodium meal on poultry growth performance and overall health. Moreover, it will conduct an in-depth analysis of the economic viability of utilizing insect and forage-based feeds in Kenyan poultry farming. This project will expand our understanding of the viability and potential benefits of integrating defatted BSFL protein, forage crops, and insect oil into poultry feed. By doing so, we aim to enhance the nutritional quality and overall productivity within the Kenyan and broader East African poultry industry. These findings are anticipated to contribute significantly to advancing sustainable feed formulations, thereby fortifying, and elevating the poultry sector's resilience.

The scholarship is fully funded for 1 year, during which the student will conduct field work in Kenya. 

Eligibility criteria

• BSc in Animal Science, Veterinary Science, Agriculture, Biology, or a related field.
• Research experience, preferably related to animal nutrition, feed evaluation, or poultry farming.
• Familiarity with experimental design, data collection, and statistical analysis.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and ability to articulate research findings, prepare detailed reports.
• Already registered for MSc in a recognized University
• Completed course work/year one of study, awaiting research

Application form

Click on the link below to download the application form. Once filled out, click on the 'APPLY' link to submit it along with the other required documents.

Timeline

Closing date for applications 15th January 2024. Successful candidates will be notified by February 2024.

Questions

If you have any questions regarding the DRIP MSc Programme or your application to icipe, kindly contact Ms. Vivian Atieno, Capacity Building Officer, icipe. Email  vatieno@icipe.org