Kyambogo University is cementing its position as a hub for climate-smart agricultural research through its latest collaboration with the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe) and the IKEA Foundation. This strategic partnership is transforming the livelihoods of smallholder farmers across Uganda by bridging the gap between university-led science and community-based wealth creation.
Two standout stories from Buikwe and Mukono districts highlight how Kyambogo University’s technical support is helping farmers turn environmental challenges into economic goldmines.
Ento Feeds Ltd: The Alchemy of Waste
In the lush hills of Buikwe District, Ms. Bella Katooro—a lawyer turned “agri-preneur”—is redefining the concept of waste. Her company, Ento Feeds Ltd, utilizes Black Soldier Fly (BSF) technology to process organic waste into high-protein animal feeds and nutrient-dense organic fertilizers.
At the facility, market leftovers and brewery waste are no longer environmental pollutants. Instead, they become the “raw material” for larvae that offer a cheaper, healthier alternative for poultry and fish farmers. “Here, waste is not a problem; it is our resource,” says Bella. “It is food for our insects, and these insects become food and fertilizer for our farmers.”
The impact is tangible. Farmers using Ento Feeds report: Reduced feed costs for poultry and pigs, Enhanced soil fertility through nitrogen-rich fertilizers and Job creation for local youths and women in waste collection and processing.
The Push-Pull Revolution in Mukono
Meanwhile, in Mukono District, 42-year-old Richard Lukwago is leading a “quiet revolution” on his farm using the Push-Pull farming system. A former government extension worker, Lukwago traded his office job for the field, where he now serves as a model farmer and trainer.
The Push-Pull system is a masterpiece of natural engineering: The Push: Desmodium (a legume) is intercropped with maize. It emits chemicals that repel stemborer pests. The Pull: Napier and Brachiaria grasses are planted around the field. These attract the pests away from the main crop.
“With Push-Pull, my maize is safe, my soil is fertile, and my cows have fodder,” Lukwago explains. The system has not only boosted his yields but also provided high-quality silage for his livestock, significantly increasing milk production.
These successes are the direct result of the project “Scaling regenerative black soldier fly farming innovations with vegetable push-pull cropping systems,” funded by the IKEA Foundation and technically supported by the Faculty of Agriculture at Kyambogo University.
Despite the progress, challenges remain. Ento Feeds struggles with “low-quality waste” contaminated by plastics, while farmers like Lukwago face a shortage of quality desmodium seeds.
However, Kyambogo University continues to use these sites as field learning hubs. As Prof. Eli Katunguka, the Vice-Chancellor, has often emphasized, the goal is to get research “off the shelves and into the community.” By supporting innovators like Bella and Richard, the university is ensuring a cleaner, greener, and more food-secure Uganda.
Tags: Agricultural Research Uganda, black soldier fly, climate smart agriculture, green innovation, Kyambogo University, Push-Pull Technology, Sustainable Farming