How EcoGrub Is Rethinking Poultry Feed in Nepal

What motivated you to join the Food Systems Innovation Challenge, and what stage was EcoGrub at that time?

We didn’t join just to participate. From the beginning, our goal was to reach the finals. At that point, EcoGrub was still just an idea. We had explored it during a hackathon, where we actually won, and that gave us the confidence to take it further. We weren’t implementing anything yet, but we were clear that if we received the right support, we would develop it into something real. The challenge felt like the right opportunity to move beyond the idea stage and start working in practice.

You mentioned you were deciding between different ideas. How did you ultimately choose Black Soldier Fly?

At first, we were deciding between Black Soldier Fly and hydroponics, and we only had a few days before submitting our concept note. It was quite intense. We spoke to farmers, government officials and people working in agriculture to understand what would actually be useful in Nepal. Black Soldier Fly stood out because it addressed several issues at once. Poultry feed is expensive and often imported, and organic waste is a growing problem. This solution could respond to both. That combination made the decision clear for us.

At what point did EcoGrub start to feel like a real solution and not just an idea?

That shift happened when we started testing. Instead of going straight to farmers, we decided to take the risk ourselves. We bought chickens and divided them into two groups, one with regular feed and one with our product. We monitored them for around 15 to 20 days and collected data carefully. The chickens fed with our product showed better weight gain and no negative effects. That was the moment we realised this could work beyond theory.

Was there a moment where things didn’t go as planned during your experiments?

Yes, especially in the beginning. One of the main challenges was drying the larvae. We didn’t know what the right level was, whether it should be very dry or less dry. At first, the chickens did not accept the feed well. We adjusted the process and made it less dry, and that change made a clear difference. After a few days, the chickens adapted. It was a small technical detail, but it had a big impact on the outcome. We expected challenges like this, and working through them was part of the process.

How did farmers respond when you introduced this completely new solution?

At first, farmers were hesitant. It’s a risk for them, especially when it affects their production. That’s why we didn’t approach them immediately. We tested everything ourselves first and focused on building evidence. Once we had the results, we shared them with farmers. Seeing the data and the outcomes made a difference. They became more open, and some even said they would be willing to use the product if it became available. Building that trust was essential.

How did the Food Systems Innovation Challenge support you in developing EcoGrub?

The biggest impact was that it helped us move from an idea to actual implementation. The seed funding allowed us to start working in the field, which was not possible before. We also received guidance from our national coordinator and from experts through the programme. There were sessions on business development, marketing and technical aspects, and we could bring our questions directly to people with experience. Getting selected was not the hardest part for us. Turning the idea into something real was, and that is where the challenge made a difference.

You continued into the Youth Food Lab and reached the finals in Rome. How was that experience different?

Youth Food Lab felt broader and more international. We were interacting with teams from different parts of the world, all working on their own solutions. That exchange was very valuable. We learned how other teams approached their markets and how they were growing their ideas. Even now, we are still in contact with some of them. We continue to share updates and learn from each other, which has been an important part of the experience.

Where is EcoGrub today, and what challenges are you facing in scaling it?

At the moment, EcoGrub is still active but on a small scale. We are working in three different cities in Nepal and supplying a limited number of farmers. The main challenge is scaling. The idea is still new, and there are legal and regulatory barriers. The government is not yet fully familiar with this type of solution, which makes expansion difficult. We also face financial limitations, as scaling requires investment and long-term support. For now, we are continuing step by step.

What is your vision for EcoGrub in the coming years?

Our goal is to expand across Nepal. We believe the solution has strong potential, especially if we receive the right support in terms of funding and government recognition. We have gained experience over the past few years and understand the challenges much better now. We are still committed to the idea and want to continue developing it. Step by step, we hope to make EcoGrub accessible to more farmers across the country.