A team of first-year students from the University of Ghana has earned international recognition by placing among the top six winners at the 2025 Food Systems Innovation Challenge – Nature-Based Solutions Edition, held at Wageningen University & Research (WUR) in the Netherlands.

The team, known as FlyCycle, developed an innovative project that utilizes Black Soldier Fly (BSF) larvae as a sustainable and affordable alternative protein source for poultry and aquaculture feed in Ghana. Their innovation addresses the high cost of animal feed, which accounts for up to 70% of production expenses, while promoting organic farming through the use of BSF frass as an eco-friendly fertilizer.

Led by Mr. William Oduro, a first-year Bachelor of Science in Agriculture student, the team also includes Samuel Ofori, Paul Ansah Asiedu, Perpetua Adofoli, Bright Matey Baah, and Pharida Adams Nashvel—all from the School of Agriculture. They were mentored by Dr. Benjamin Adjei from the Department of Animal Science, with Prof. Daniel Adu Ankrah (Head of Department) serving as the national coordinator for the Challenge in Ghana. Prof. Eric Kwesi Nartey, Dean of the School of Agriculture, is a member of the Challenge’s Advisory Board.

For their achievement, FlyCycle received a €1,000 cash prize and an invitation to represent Ghana at the World Food Forum in Rome, Italy. Their success highlights the University of Ghana’s commitment to advancing youth-led, research-driven solutions for sustainable agriculture and food security.

The 2025 Challenge, themed “Transforming Food Systems through Nature-based Innovation,” brought together 24 student teams from 12 countries to develop solutions addressing climate change, biodiversity loss, and food insecurity.