According to the website Our World in Data, most of the world’s population growth over the next century is expected to come from Africa and Asia. By the end of the 21^st century, the world’s population is expected to reach almost 11 billion humans. It is a major challenge to our food systems how to feed all these people, when we also look into climate changes. It implies not only alternative food sources for humans, but also the livestock that provides us with meat and dairy products. It is no longer a question if edible insects can transform our food systems, but how.

Insects are emerging as a novel livestock in our global food systems, and the potential for leveraging insects in sustainable practices is immense, and already happening. From small landowners’ backyards in Africa to large-scale, industrial insect factories.

The conference presentations explored a wide range of the latest research and innovations, which are driving the insect sector forward. From understanding the biology and ecology of relevant species to exploring production systems, applications in food and non-food sectors, and the social and economic contexts surrounding insect utilization, the conference provided a comprehensive overview of the potential of insects in enhancing food and nutrition security, promoting environmental sustainability, and driving economic growth.

Several researchers from Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics (QGG) participated in the conference with oral presentations and posters describing the numerous insect projects based at QGG. PhD student Sarah Nawoya from QGG was awarded for best student presentation of a study on Computer-vision based prediction of body traits and larval sex in black soldier fly. A notable aspect of the study is the pioneering effort to predict the sex of Black soldier fly larvae through computer vision and deep learning techniques.

Member of the steering committee, tenure track assistant professor Grum Gebreyesus from QGG was one of the keynote speakers at the conference. In his talk, he gave a status from the FLYGene project and the prospects of implementing black soldier fly selective breeding in Kenya and Uganda.

-“The conference proved to be a resounding success,” Grum Gebreyesus says. “It brought together researchers, practitioners, and government agencies in a collaborative exploration of the pivotal role insect production plays in fostering green and sustainable economic growth in Africa and beyond.”

-“It was very obvious that the wealth of engaging presentations, insightful panel discussions, and informative exhibitions over the course of two days proved that significant strides are being made in the research and overall development of insects as a solution to food and feed challenges”, he concludes.

---

The conference was hosted by the African Institute for Capacity Development (AICAD) at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), Nairobi, Kenya.

QGG was co-organiser of the conference.

Book of Abstracts from the Insects for the Green Economy Conference.