Congratulations to Dennis Beesigamukama, the innovator behind insect-based fertilizers that is benefiting more than 100,000 farmers in East Africa. His work is transforming soil health management and food systems.  

He is being honoured for his groundbreaking work in developing innovative, low-cost technologies that recycle organic waste into nutrient-rich, insect-composted organic fertilizers.

“Receiving the prestigious Norman Borlaug Award for Field Research and Application makes me totally thrilled and grateful,” said Beesigamukama. “It has refueled my energy in harnessing the immense power of insects, the small creatures with big impact, capable of breathing fresh life into degraded soils and sustainably transforming agriculture for improved food security while ensuring climate resilience and One Health.”

Hailing from Southwestern Uganda, Beesigamukama's journey into soil science was inspired by his early experiences growing up in a farming family and witnessing the challenges of soil degradation. His academic journey led him to Makerere University, where he earned a B.Sc. in Agricultural Land Use and Management and an M.Sc. in Soil Science, focusing on the urgent need for locally produced fertilizers. The ongoing disruptions in synthetic fertilizer supply chains, exacerbated by global conflicts, have made his work even more relevant and essential.

Beesigamukama’s research at icipe during his Ph.D. at Kenyatta University led to the development of a novel method using black soldier fly larvae to rapidly convert organic waste into high-quality, nutrient-rich fertilizer. This innovative approach drastically reduces composting time from six months to just five weeks and offers a sustainable solution to the pressing issues of soil degradation and waste management in Sub-Saharan Africa. 

Source:  World Food Prize September 5, 2024 news release