INNOECOFOOD Captures Innovation in Action Through Educational and Impact Video Production in Kenyan ECOHUB

15–19 June 2026 | Kisumu & Siaya Counties, Kenya

From innovative food processing demonstrations to farmer success stories and community training, the INNOECOFOOD Project successfully completed a five-day educational and impact video filming exercise across Kenya from 15–19 June 2026. The filming documented how research and innovation are being translated into practical solutions that strengthen sustainable food systems, improve nutrition, and create economic opportunities for communities.

Led by project partners; B2E Blue BioEconomy CoLAB (Task leader), Kenyan partners; Food Security for Peace and
Nutrition Africa (FSPN Africa), The International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Jomo Kenyatta University of
Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI) and Peche, the exercise visited key project sites in Kisumu and Siaya Counties, capturing the work being undertaken within the project’s ECOHUBs, Living Labs, training centres, and partner institutions. The videos will form part of INNOECOFOOD’s digital learning resources, outreach campaigns, and knowledge-sharing activities, helping disseminate practical skills and project achievements to stakeholders across Africa and Europe.

Empowering Youth and Women Through Value Addition

The filming highlighted the growing role of youth and women in transforming food systems through entrepreneurship. Footages of training, state of art RAS technologies and insect production technologies sessions were captured, fish and insect production. Experts were also interviewed to give their expert insights on importance of establishing the ECOHUB, RAS technology for fish production and insect production.

Insect farming and value addition offer affordable entry points into agribusiness, requiring relatively low start-up costs while creating opportunities to produce high-value food and feed products. Through the educational videos, INNOECOFOOD aims to inspire more young people and women to participate in sustainable enterprises that improve household incomes while contributing to food and nutrition security.

The demonstrations RAS technology show that innovative aquaculture can be done away from the lakes and rivers locally available water resources, creating opportunities for small businesses and strengthening local value chains.

Showcasing Sustainable Food Innovation

Throughout the week, the filming team documented several innovations developed under the project, including sustainable aquaculture practices, insect farming, spirulina production, and the development of high-protein food products.

One of the highlights was the filming at Peche Foods in Kisumu, where the team captured the preparation of cookies and buns enriched with cricket powder. These products demonstrate how edible insects can be incorporated into familiar foods to enhance their nutritional value while offering sustainable alternatives to conventional protein sources.

Crickets are naturally rich in high-quality protein, iron, zinc, vitamin B12, healthy fats, and essential amino acids, making them an important ingredient in addressing malnutrition and promoting healthy diets. Compared to traditional livestock, cricket farming also requires significantly fewer natural resources, making it an environmentally sustainable option for future food production.

The videos document every stage of the baking process, providing practical guidance that communities can easily replicate while demonstrating the commercial potential of insect-based food products.

Building Skills Through Digital Learning

A key objective of the filming exercise was to develop educational content that will support training through the INNOECOFOOD Community Virtual Hub (CVH) and other learning platforms.

The videos are designed to make technical knowledge more accessible by providing step-by-step demonstrations on insect production, food processing, value addition, food safety, and sustainable production practices. They will support capacity building among farmers, entrepreneurs, processors, extension officers, students, and community groups participating in the project.

By combining scientific research with practical demonstrations, the educational materials will help bridge the gap between innovation and adoption, enabling communities to implement sustainable food production practices more confidently.

Bringing Research Closer to Communities

The week-long production reflects INNOECOFOOD’s commitment to ensuring that scientific research creates tangible benefits for society. Rather than remaining within laboratories and research institutions, project innovations are being translated into practical learning resources that communities can use to improve livelihoods and strengthen local food systems.

As the project continues to establish ECOHUBs and expand its Community Virtual Hub, these educational and impact videos will play an important role in supporting knowledge exchange, promoting sustainable entrepreneurship, and accelerating the adoption of innovative solutions across Africa and Europe.

Through collaboration, innovation, and accessible learning, INNOECOFOOD continues to demonstrate how research can empower communities, reduce food insecurity, promote sustainable production, and contribute to resilient, climate-smart food systems for future generations.