Harvest and sell locusts at Sh50, farmers told

Industrialist Peter Kuguru has told farmers to harvest locusts and sell to animal feed manufacturers.

He said the locusts can be used to replace omena which is used as a raw material to make animal feeds. He spoke to the Star on Thursday during an interview.

Kuguru said he will buy a kilo of dried locusts at Sh50, which is equivalent to a kilo of omena.

“Locusts are rich in proteins and can be used in making of dairy meal and chicken feeds. This can help the government in reducing the cost of buying chemicals and spraying the locusts. Instead, it should make traps from nets and supply them to farmers to harvest the locusts and the dry them,” Kuguru said.

Dr. Muo Kasina, chairman of the Entomological Society of Kenya confirmed that indeed, the locusts can provide a good source of proteins for animal feeds.

He said animal feed manufacturers mainly use fish meal for protein, which they can now replace with the desert locusts.

“This will help in cutting down on the cost of production and animal feed products because fish meal is expensive. All manufacturers need to do is harvest the locusts, dry them and use them as a supplement to make dairy, dog or cat feed,” said Kasina.

“Farmers should be encouraged to harvest the pest and utilize them for economic value, instead of spraying the desert locusts which also kills other insects that help in pollination.”

The locusts have so far infested 20 Counties which include Mandera, Wajir, Marsabit, Garissa, Samburu, Isiolo, Samburu, Turkana, Baringo, Embu, Kirinyaga, Kitui, Machakos, Makueini, Meru, Laikipia, Kajiado, Tana River, Kericho and Tharaka Nithi.