Priscilla Musenge Biography
Priscilla Musenge is a prominent Zambian entrepreneur known for her work in sustainable agriculture and waste-to-value innovation. As the founder and CEO of Entomo Farm, she has built a business that converts everyday organic waste into affordable animal feed and organic fertilizer using black soldier flies. Her efforts support smallholder farmers, reduce environmental harm, and promote green solutions within Zambia’s agricultural sector. Musenge’s leadership reflects a blend of practical problem-solving, community service, and a deep commitment to environmental stewardship.
This biography explores her early years, education, professional journey, and the achievements that have positioned her among Zambia’s influential voices in eco-friendly agribusiness.
Priscilla Musenge Early Life
Priscilla Musenge grew up in Zambia, a country shaped by a strong agricultural tradition and a fast-growing population. Her early years exposed her to both the promise and the difficulties of farming communities. Issues such as rising input costs, waste management challenges, and limited opportunities for rural families were common realities.
Though few details about her childhood are publicly documented, her work suggests that she was deeply influenced by these early observations. The contrast between city life and rural living helped form her understanding of community needs, especially the need for practical and affordable farming solutions. She developed an early appreciation for resilience, resourcefulness, and community support—values that later shaped her entrepreneurial choices.
Her strong interest in helping women and young people build sustainable livelihoods hints at lessons drawn from her own upbringing. The idea that “you start with what you have” became a guiding belief, and it later defined her approach to business building.
Priscilla Musenge Education
Information about Musenge’s formal academic background is limited, but her career reflects a combination of hands-on experience, self-study, and professional training. She did not come from a traditional agricultural science or entomology background. Instead, she gained knowledge through practical experimentation and independent research.
Musenge’s interest in black soldier fly farming began when she searched for an affordable way to feed her own chickens. High feed prices led her to explore alternative options. Through online learning, conversations with experts, and extensive trial and error, she learned how black soldier fly larvae convert waste into nutrient-rich products.
Her professional development continued in 2020 when she joined the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs, a program that provides training in business planning and financial management. This experience strengthened her skills in scaling a startup and refining her business model.
Musenge’s educational path shows that learning can come from both structured programs and real-world experience, especially in emerging fields like circular agriculture.
Priscilla Musenge Career
Before founding Entomo Farm, Priscilla Musenge worked for 14 years across several sectors, including hospitality, marketing, and insurance. These roles taught her essential skills such as customer service, planning, budgeting, and risk assessment. Her background in these industries helped prepare her for the demands of running a business.
In 2018, she transitioned into full-time entrepreneurship by launching Entomo Farm. The company focuses on breeding black soldier flies to convert organic waste into sustainable animal feed and fertilizer. This idea emerged from her own challenges as a small-scale poultry farmer, especially when feed costs rose sharply around 2020.
The larvae produced at her farm contain about 43 percent crude protein, a higher level than commonly used alternatives like soy. This provides farmers with a cost-effective and nutritious option for poultry, fish, and other livestock.
Musenge’s career also includes:
- Leading a pilot project called Prote IN, exploring insect-based food products.
- Building an out-grower program that allows local households to raise larvae and sell them to Entomo Farm.
- Partnering with organizations focused on climate action and rural empowerment.
- Speaking at conferences and sharing her work through media platforms.
Her entrepreneurial path reflects a clear mission: to create local solutions that improve farming, reduce waste, and support community livelihoods.
Priscilla Musenge Achievements
Priscilla Musenge’s work has earned recognition both in Zambia and internationally. Her awards and achievements include:
- Top 10 finalist, Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (2020).
- UNDP Smart Waste Management Grant, awarded to Entomo Farm (2020).
- Second place, Climate Launchpad Zambia (2021), acknowledging the farm’s role in promoting eco-friendly business ideas.
- Zee Woman in Sustainability Award, Zambia National Commercial Bank (2022).
Beyond awards, Musenge’s measurable impact includes:
- Diverting more than 100 tons of organic waste from landfills each year.
- Offering affordable feed alternatives for farmers across Zambia.
- Creating opportunities for women and youth through her out-grower program, which aims to reach 200,000 households.
- Supporting United Nations sustainability goals related to climate action, zero hunger, and responsible consumption.
Her achievements highlight how entrepreneurship can address local challenges while contributing to global environmental efforts.
Priscilla Musenge Personal Life
Priscilla Musenge maintains a private personal life, focusing on her family and her mission to promote green farming. She lives in Zambia, likely near Lusaka where her farm operates. Her public engagements show a strong commitment to helping young people, especially women, build confidence and independence.
She often teaches the importance of reducing, reusing, and recycling, encouraging communities to adopt sustainable habits. Her belief in starting small and growing steadily reflects her own experience.
Outside her work, she spends time mentoring entrepreneurs, collaborating with farmers, and participating in events that highlight climate resilience and food security.
Conclusion
Priscilla Musenge’s journey from corporate roles to building one of Zambia’s notable green enterprises offers a compelling example of innovation rooted in everyday life. Through Entomo Farm, she has shown how turning waste into resources can support farmers, protect the environment, and create meaningful economic opportunities.
Her leadership continues to inspire people to explore practical solutions to local challenges. As she expands her programs, her work has the potential to influence sustainable farming practices across Zambia and beyond.
FAQs
What is Priscilla Musenge known for?
She is known as the founder and CEO of Entomo Farm, a Zambian business that uses black soldier flies to turn organic waste into sustainable animal feed and fertilizer.
How did Priscilla Musenge start her business?
After working in hospitality, marketing, and insurance for 14 years, she began searching for an affordable feed alternative for her poultry and discovered the potential of black soldier flies.
What awards has Priscilla Musenge won?
Her recognitions include a UNDP grant (2020), Climate Launchpad Zambia second place (2021), and the Zee Woman in Sustainability award (2022).
What challenges did Priscilla Musenge face?
She faced financial limitations, public hesitation about insect-based products, and rising feed costs before gaining support from grants and partnerships.
How does Entomo Farm help the environment?
The farm converts organic waste into valuable products, reducing landfill waste and lowering carbon emissions.
What are Priscilla Musenge’s future goals?
She plans to expand her out-grower program to reach 200,000 women and youth-led households and promote insect-based foods to fight hunger.
How can someone support Priscilla Musenge’s work?
Support can come through purchasing Entomo Farm products, joining community awareness initiatives, or partnering on green agriculture projects in Zambia.