Maize is one of the food and commercial crop in Rwanda in terms of income generating activity to rural population. The production of the crop is however, severely constrained by both biotic and abiotic factors. Biotic factors specifically field pests namely fall armyworm (FAW) and Stemborer (SB) pests are ranked top in causing economic damages to maize production in Rwanda. Up to 23-50 percent of food supply in Rwanda is lost due to pest infestation.

Poultry feed accounts for 60 to70 percent of the costs of poultry production due to expensive protein ingredient that is a key component. Expensive feed has seen poultry farmers scale down production or abandon the enterprise despite the currently high and projected increased demand for poultry products. Insects like the black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) have been identified as the best alternative source of protein for poultry feeds.

The low productivity of the agricultural sector in Liberia raises serious concern and motivates the search for the various factors explaining the poor performance. Poor performance of the extension system and loss of attainable crop yields to insect pests by the smallholder farmers are two key factors likely to explain the unsatisfactory performance of the agricultural sector.