Grapevine

Teenage mothers reaping big from black soldier flies

A year ago, Ms Mellisa Tushabe, a resident of Banda Village in Mugoye Sub-county, Kalangala District, used to rely on washing people’s clothes in the village where she earned about Shs20,000 daily. This could barely cater for all the 19-year-old’s basic needs.

A school dropout and a teenage mother, Tushabe says her fortunes changed after venturing into farming of black soldier flies.

Black soldier flies’ maggot-like larvae, locally known as enfenke, are an alternative feed for chicken, pigs and fish.

“I had failed to provide for my child with the money I was earning from washing people’s clothes. I decided to join black soldier fly larvae farming, where I earn up Shs70,000 weekly. I am now able to save some money, look after myself and my child,” she says.

“My vision is to work harder and be able to earn more than 200,000 a week,” she adds.