Domestic Water Recycling:

Bobo Eco Farm is piloting domestic level ‘used water capture’ and re-use to improve food production.

Globally, for a future population of 9.6 billion (2050), we will need 70% more food while having 30% less water.

The average person in Uganda uses up to 5.2 gallons of water a day for domestic purposes – bathrooms/kitchens etc. This water can be captured & reused for food production – but contains large quantities of chemical elements found in soap and detergents and other soluble inorganic compounds. However they can be effectively removed by the water hyacinth- Eichhornia crassipes, in a way which is low-cost and environmentally friendly. The roots of Eichhornia crassipes naturally absorb pollutants, including lead, mercury, and strontium-90, as well as some organic compounds believed to be carcinogenic, in concentrations 10,000 times that in the surrounding water.

This innovation empowers farmers to grow food all year round from recycled water streams and be less dependent on nature for agricultural rain.

Livestock are a mainstay of rural livelihoods in Uganda contributing food, and manure for arable production as well as forming a key source of financial security for smallholder farmers. Animal productivity currently depends on continued availability and affordability of feeds; but the costs of conventional livestock feed sources such as soy meal and fishmeal are very high and their availability in the future will be limited due to the ongoing climatic changes and the food-feed-fuel competition. Insect rearing could be one of the ways to enhance food and feed security

Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL)

Bobo Eco Farm has developed a low-tech insect breeding unit that enables an integrated full cycle breeding of the Black Soldier Fly (BSF) species Hermetia illucens to convert organic waste materials into insect protein to feed poultry, fish and pigs. The unit is still a prototype being developed for smallholder farmers who may adapt and replicate it for their own use.

To learn more about rearing black soldier flies follow this link http://blacksoldierflyblog.com/

Rearing Earthworms:

Bobo Eco Farm is piloting captive breeding of earthworms for integration into the organic farming system for smallholder farmers. The activity of red earthworms normally result into high nutrient-holding capacity of the soils, high nitrogen content, high organic-matter content and good soil structure and aggregation. Earthworms may also be an alternative source of protein for animal feeds, while the rearing unit produces high quality organic manure as a bi-product. We will roll out this to the farmers as soon as the pilot phase is over.

Bobo Eco Farm is piloting the rearing of Rhinoceros beetles as an alternative source of feeds. The rhinoceros beetles are said to be rich in proteins and minerals. They are also said to contain iron, magnesium, calcium, potassium and phosphorous.

Rearing Roaches

Bobo Eco Farm is researching on optimal conditions for breeding of cockroaches for poultry and pig feeds. A small pilot is being implemented at the farm.