Dr Richard Newton visited Uganda this week (December 2022) as part of a ThinkAqua and Rural Aquaculture Development (RAD) project in Rukungiri, Uganda, funded by KTN/GCRF. RAD is an early-stage Ugandan business supporting the growth of the local aquaculture sector, via an innovative service delivery model which enables smallholder producers to access aquaculture technologies. ThinkAqua has been supporting RAD during their early development. The aim of Richard’s visit was to help establish black soldier fly larvae production at the RAD farm which will be piloted as a direct feed supplement for pond-farmed fish. This could reduce the need for pelleted feed whilst upcycling organic wastes.

Richard and Tim report on the project from the RAD farm

RAD is run by Dr Tim Messeder with local co-owner Pauson. It aims to be a ‘one stop shop’ for aquaculture producers offering services including a hatchery, supplementary feeding through Black Soldier Fly (BSF), water testing and equipment rental, access to ice, and aquaculture expertise.