Our goal is to create a live mealworm breeding model both accessible and affordable to Ugandan's.  This model will be sustainable as it requires little water and compost, while also small enough to be farmed in the household . We are looking for the cheapest yet most productive materials. With the right, readily accessible materials the model should prove to work in the designated community. If our models for mealworms do not reach full potential as we expect them to, we may need to look into a different breed of insect.

​

Our intent is to use resources that are cheapest for the breeding model. The model includes a container to hold the meal worms around 14" x 8" x 5” large (the size of a shoebox). The container should not be cardboard nor wood because the insects can chew through. Plastic appears as the cheapest alternative. A lid with ventilation is required--carving holes into a plastic lid works.

Next in need for the model is the bedding for the meal worms, corn meal is our targeted bedding as it seems to be the cheapest and most accessible material in the community. 

1/2 cup of compostable vegetables should be scattered amongst the bedding. Raw potatoes and/or carrots will suffice. The moisture in the raw potatoes should keep the moisture in the container at a good level. The average humidity and temperature of Uganda (78-80 deg F) is the perfect temperature for breeding. 

Lastly, the mealworms themselves are needed for the model. It is recommended to start with 500 mealworms, although 150 would suffice during the beginning trials. The initial supply will take a few months to begin producing a sufficient supply. The more mealworms are used to start, the faster the breeding happens. Our project is still researching from where to buy the cheapest mealworms in Uganda, so far online websites are the cheapest we can find, however more research is to be done.