Startup Story

Priscilla Musenge is a Climate Change activist and a budding entrepreneur, who is the ceo and founder of Entomo Farm in Zambia, a business launched in 2018. It has since created jobs for 7 people. She was one of the top 10 Finalists of the inaugural cohort of the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs in 2020, a White House Initiative. Additionally, in the same year, Priscilla’s start-up also received a grant in sustainable waste management from United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Zambia. Most recently, she also won 2nd prize in the world’s largest green business ideas competition - the 2021 Climate Launchpad business competition and was one of the recipients of the inaugural 2022 ZANACO (Zambia National Commercial Bank) awards in Zambia.

Priscilla comes from a background in hospitality, marketing and insurance, spanning over 14 years, and has a passion for organic farming which she has been engaged in for 6 years. The need for a feed with a good balance between nutritional value and cost, in order to sustain her small-scale chicken farming is what led to the birth of Entomo Farm in 2018. In her free time, Priscilla can be found spending time trying out new recipes, reading and embarking on small D.I.Y home projects and is also known to enjoy mentoring female (would be) entrepreneurs, travel and art.

LoA spoke to the sustainability-driven Priscilla Musenge to learn more about her business vision and mission, and her goals for the future.

“Growing up, I always aspired to become a business owner. I always knew I would own a business that was centered around my passion and things I enjoy doing.”

What does your company do?

Our solution is to turn food waste into a sustainable, organic and inexpensive organic feed and fertilizer for small and medium scale chicken, fish and pig farmers by farming the Black Soldier fly for its larvae. It’s larvae are rich in crude protein, crude fat and other beneficial nutrients. Our long term goal is to introduce it and other insects for human consumption.

What inspired you to start your company?

As a small scale chicken farmer who, even with a full time job, the ever increasing feed prices made it difficult for me to farm chickens. I decided to look up affordable feed/protein alternatives and came across the black soldier fly and all its benefits. It was at that point I thought rather than this idea benefiting me, it would be nice if others could benefit from it too.

Why should anyone use your service or product?

Unlike other alternatives, we are farming insects to produce this protein. Some of its unique characteristics include the fact that it is higher in protein at around 43% compared to that of Soya Beans at around 35%; Soya Beans being the main protein ingredient in plant based feed. Additionally, the main raw material used is organic household waste which makes it environmentally friendly and in turn helps reduce the carbon footprint and mitigate Climate Change. Entomo Farm will help contribute to the achievement of two SDG’s 1,2,3,5 8 and 13. (No poverty, Zero Hunger, Good health and well-being, Gender Equality, decent work and economic growth -!; Climate action.

“My vision for the company is to see the inclusion of up to 200,000 women and youth led agricultural households by year 3-5 of operations. This will be done by our out-grower programme.”

Tell us a little about your team

Our multi-disciplinary team members come from backgrounds in finance, marketing, insurance, hospitality and community outreach. We also have about 5 years’ experience in small scale organic crop farming.

Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And do you come from an entrepreneurial background?

Growing up, I always aspired to become a business owner. I always knew I would own a business that was centered around my passion and things I enjoy doing; which surround health and fitness, food and event planning. Consequently, I have owned three small businesses which include an event planning and personalized ribbon printing business and a food smoking and jerky making business. As these were solely run by me and required a lot of time, I was not able to focus on my job and run these side businesses. I then decided to close them down and focus on work. The third business I owned was the chicken rearing one which led to the birth of Entomo Farm.

What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?

My vision for the company is to see the inclusion of up to 200,000 women and youth led agricultural households by year 3-5 of operations. This will be done by our out-grower programme where we will provide 5 day old larvae which will be fed to our specifications and sold back to us. By doing this, we will not only help these households to be self-reliant and self-sustaining without having to indulge in vices like early marriages, abusive relationships and the use of alcohol and drugs. Additionally, as one of the main raw materials/ingredients in our production process in organic waste, we would like to advocate for, through communities and farmers, the 3 R’s- reuse, reduce, recycle. This will help sensitize the masses about the business and its benefits and also encourage people to “give back” something positive to the environment while creating a circular economy.

“Being an entrepreneur is hard work. I have experienced first-hand what a lonely journey it is and how sometimes you don’t have the money or expertise to get things done.”

What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?

The ability to “pay it forward”. Being an entrepreneur is hard work. I have experienced first-hand what a lonely journey it is and how sometimes you don’t have the money or expertise to get things done; especially considering the type of business I’m in which is a completely new niche in my country, Zambia. All this coupled with the fact that I am a woman, with no background or experience in entomology. I have had to rise above all that doubted my dream, remain confident and focused, and pursue it regardless. I have also experienced its beautiful side! The awards of recognition for my work, that funding from donors that believed in my dream and also the determination for me to begin on this journey!

So, I would like to pay this forward through mentorship and the creation/participation of a network of like-minded entrepreneurs and individuals facing the same challenges. And indeed, through the empowerment, employment of women and youth you ensure that many other have the opportunity to do something that will make them proud and for them to be able to stand on their own feet.

What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?

Just start! Start with what you have and where you are. Register your business. In a time where there are so many tools to start and run businesses as well as access to finance for women, seize opportunities! Do not despise humble beginnings. Believe in yourself and your business, create meaningful networks and you will go places!

Contact or follow Entomo Farm

Why LoA loves it…

At Lionesses of Africa, we love to see women entrepreneur change-makers finding solutions to real challenges on the continent, and Priscilla Musenge is doing just that. She is creating a business that can produce sustainable and affordable animals feeds in an innovative way, contributing to a viable agri-business value chain, whilst also creating jobs for women and youth. That is the kind of positive and potentially high growth solution that Africa needs, and one that can make a lasting difference to the environment and to people’s lives. — Melanie Hawken, founder & ceo, Lionesses of Africa