Ethiopia inaugurates its first beneficial insect breeding centre

The first beneficial insect breeding centre was officially inaugurated at Red Fox (Dummen Orange) floriculture in Koka town, Oromia region, Ethiopia.

State Minister for Agricultural Investment and Input Supply Development Sector at the Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. Sophia Kassa, speaking at the event, stated that valuable insects have been imported at a high foreign exchange cost. She emphasized that Red Fox’s initiative will contribute to import substitution while strengthening the agricultural sector. 

Director General of the Ethiopian Agricultural Authority, Ambassador Diriba Kuma, highlighted the risks associated with the use of pesticides, especially for farm workers. He said that the establishment of a beneficial insect production centre is a crucial response to address this problem.

Red Fox African Director, Benjamin Goepferich recalled that the company commenced production of beneficial insects in Kenya and Uganda. He explained that the centre established in Ethiopia is the largest in East Africa.

The director, said that the Ethiopian centre was established by drawing on the experiences of Kenya and Uganda. Its primary responsibility will be protecting the health of agricultural workers and their community. The General Manager of Red Fox Ethiopia, Yordanos Jemal explained that the breeding centre will produce beneficial predatorily insects to naturally control agricultural pests and reduce dependence on chemical pesticides.