The Kenyatta University Living Lab is expanding its outreach by setting up a Black Soldier Fly (BSF) cage in a nearby informal settlement known as Kiwanja – a Swahili term for an open space. This initiative aims to introduce sustainable waste management and protein production solutions to the local community, expanding the reach of the INCiTiS-FOOD project further.
The University for Development Studies Living Lab continues to serve as a valuable space for hands-on learning and innovation, with two recent highlights. Veterinary students from the faculty conducted hands-on training in fish handling, gaining valuable experience in aquaculture practices. At the same time, the aquaponics system is showing promising results, with a thriving maize plant as a clear sign of success. These activities demonstrate the Living Lab’s growing impact in advancing skills development and sustainable food solutions in line with INCiTiS-FOOD’s objectives.
On 13 March, the University of Ibadan Living Lab was invited by the Catfish Farmers Association (CAFFAN), Oyo State chapter, to present the INCiTiS-FOOD project to its members. Dr Oyebola, the Living Lab Lead, introduced the project’s objectives and the innovative solutions being developed for urban and peri-urban food systems. Following the presentation, CAFFAN representatives paid a visit to the Living Lab, where they were shown the systems in operation. The farmers expressed strong enthusiasm for the project, with many registering for upcoming training and expressing interest in becoming onboarded participants.
University for Development Studies Living Lab recently welcomed visitors from the Centre for Opportunities and Rural Development, a Ghanaian NGO. The purpose of the visit was to gain insight into the sustainable technologies utilised at the Living Lab. This exchange highlights growing local interest in the circular solutions being developed through the INCiTiS-FOOD project.
Aglobe Development Center recently hosted a capacity-building training focused on catfish processing and women’s entrepreneurship. As part of the INCiTiS-FOOD project’s efforts to engage vulnerable groups, like youth and women, this training plays a key role in supporting and encouraging female-led aquaculture initiatives in sustainable agriculture. Activities like these directly contribute to the project’s mission of fostering inclusive and resilient food systems.
Following the Roadshow event, the National Agency for the Promotion of Private Investments invited INCiTiS-FOOD partners from Université des Sciences et Techniques de Masuku to present the terms for the Open Call to farmers in Moanda. The discussion focused on eligibility criteria, providing clarity on participation opportunities. The town hall of Moanda, located 40 km from Franceville, hosted the meeting, fostering engagement with the local farming community.
The chop and flip system at the University for Development Studies Living Lab in Tamale is progressing, with ongoing monitoring to assess its performance. The team continues to refine the setup, gathering insights to enhance efficiency and productivity.
The Capsicum plants are thriving at the Egerton University Living Lab, grown using frass, fish, and water as key inputs. The team is actively collecting data to monitor growth and evaluate the effectiveness of the system.
Heads of Departments from the University of Bamenda visited the Living Lab for a training session aimed at further promoting and sharing the INCiTiS-FOOD technologies with students, the university community, and local residents. Representatives from Animal Production Technology, Crop Production Technology, Agribusiness Technology, and Agricultural and Environmental Engineering departments explored the setup and recognised its potential for practical learning and application. As a gesture of collaboration, they received fresh cabbages from the hydroponic system showing that local production systems are capable of outputting fresh and nutritious food.
The first harvest of 2025 at the University of Ibadan Living Lab has yielded fresh tomatoes! The team continues to monitor plant growth and system performance to optimise future yields. Across the INCiTiS-FOOD Living Labs, partners are actively enhancing their production systems to recalibrate for observations made – and as a result, they are enjoying fresh, home-grown food!
From creating best- fit agri-food technologies and reducing environmental footprint to designing new business models, the INCiTiS-FOOD project will create an inclusive food system in African cities and towns.
