The
demand for sustainable protein sources is soaring. With over 30% of the world’s
population relying on agriculture, finding effective solutions for food
security is imperative. In Kenya, Black Soldier Fly (BSF) farming stands out as
a promising driven by the increasing demand for sustainable protein sources.
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| Black Soldier Fly Larvae |
Studies
indicate that Kenya generates over 5 million tons of organic waste annually,
highlighting not only waste management issues but also the potential for insect
farming. Black Soldier Flies (BSF) presents an innovative solution,
transforming waste into high-value protein for animal feed and other products.
Known for their rapid growth and environmental benefits, BSFs offer an
innovative approach to sustainable farming. Let’s delve into the profitable aspects of BSF
farming in Kenya by examining essential elements such as setup, feeding,
harvesting, processing, and market opportunities.
Benefits of the Black Soldier Fly
BSF
larvae are gaining popularity as a protein source for animal feed. Here are
some of their advantages:
1.
They have a protein level of up to 70%, making them an excellent choice for
livestock.
2.
Animals like pigs, chickens, and fish show high efficiency in gaining weight
when fed BSF larvae. Pigs can be market-ready up to four weeks sooner.
3.
These larvae consume organic waste, such as food scraps and manure,
significantly lowering landfill waste.
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4.
Using BSF larvae in closed systems can cut greenhouse gas emissions and
decrease fossil fuel use linked to traditional animal feed production. It also
helps lower emissions from manure piles.
5.
The protein and antimicrobial peptides in BSF fats can enhance the growth and
health of animals.
6.
Farmers benefit economically by saving costs through efficient feed conversion
and less waste. They also require fewer resources to obtain protein supplements
for their livestock and poultry.
7.
Additionally, farmers can explore business options like training and selling
young larvae or pupae. Large-scale production of BSF larvae for sale is
emerging as a market opportunity, especially in Kenya's pig farming sector.
8.
Lastly, BSF larvae improve feed taste. When street pigs dig through organic
waste, they are usually looking for these larvae. The appealing smell and
flavor enhance the feed's palatability, promoting animal growth. This, in turn,
makes the meat from BSF-fed chickens and pigs tastier for consumers.
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As
has been noted, pig manure is one of BSF’s favorite substrates, yet the
emerging larvae, can be used by pig farmers as a source of protein for their
pigs. The pig manure resulting from the whole process is much richer than the
manure initially used as a substrate.
Life Cycle of the Black Soldier Fly
Let’s
first understand its life cycle. Black Soldier Flies undergo four stages: egg,
larva, pupa, and adult. Each stage requires specific environmental conditions
for optimal growth:
Egg
Stage: Eggs are laid on organic waste. They hatch within 4
days.
Larval
Stage: Larvae feed for about two weeks, growing rapidly.
Pupal
Stage: After feeding, larvae pupate for a week.
Adult
Stage: They emerge, mate, and the cycle begins anew.
The
life cycle of the Black Soldier Fly is approximately 38 days.
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| Black Soldier Fly |
Steps for Setting up a Black Soldier Fly Unit
Site Selection
When
establishing a Black Soldier Fly unit, key considerations must be made. Site
selection is crucial for the caging system, which can be set up indoors or
outdoors.
1. Indoor Facilities
Indoor
facilities offer controlled environments for year-round production. They help
in managing temperature, humidity, and light, making them ideal for harsh
weather conditions.
2. Outdoor Facilities
Outdoor
setups are suitable for areas with mild climates. They utilize natural sunlight
and can support larger operations but require careful planning based on local
climate to avoid seasonal issues.
Climate and Other Considerations
Temperature and Humidity:
Select a location or use climate control to keep temperature and humidity at
the right levels for breeding Black Soldier Flies.
Wind and Rain Protection:
When setting up an outdoor unit, use windbreaks and shelters to protect your
Black Soldier Fly colony from the elements.
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Ventilation:
Good airflow is important to avoid overheating and ensure a steady supply of
oxygen. Consider using mesh or perforated panels for better ventilation.
Drainage:
Proper drainage is vital to prevent water buildup, especially outdoors. Make
sure containers have drainage holes to let excess moisture escape and avoid
conditions that promote bacterial growth or drown larvae.
Stackable Design:
To save space, look for stackable container designs. This allows for vertical
expansion, which is especially helpful in indoor areas with limited space.
Temperature and Humidity Control:
To maintain ideal conditions, add heating or cooling elements as needed. In
colder climates or indoor spaces, incorporate heating devices to keep
temperatures suitable for the Black Soldier Fly colony, promoting active larval
growth and development
Procedure for Setting up The BSF Unit
Stage 1- Obtain a starter population
Obtain
a starter population of larvae to start a BSFL production system Purchase larva
from a local source. The larvae or pupae cost between Ksh1000 and Ksh3000
depending on the composition of the kit, and they are available from farmers
who are already rearing the BSF. By starting with eggs, if the air temperature
is favorable (near 30°C), you can quickly obtain enough individuals to start a
BSF colony. It was observed that the number of eggs laid per female BSF ranged
from 206 to 639. An alternative to purchasing a starter kit is collecting eggs
from wild BSF.
Stage 2- Establish a mating enclosure
Mating
enclosures can range from large screened-in rooms to smaller systems using
mosquito nets, or even mesh baskets. Regardless of the scale or design, the
mating enclosure must maintain adequate moisture (around 70% relative humidity)
and a temperature of 24 to 38°C while keeping the BSF in. Make provisions for
adult flies, including a water source and some vegetation or other surfaces on
which to hide and mate. A sugar source like honey and also a hydration point
will prolong the lifespan of adults. The pupae will not eat any food, so you
need only a small amount of food nearby to entice adult female flies to lay
eggs.
Stage 3- Collect the eggs
To collect the eggs of the adult female BSF, provide favorable material for laying eggs within the mating enclosure. Small blocks of wood work well and provide both an inviting egg-laying environment and easy egg collection method for the workers. Using small pieces of cardboard may be logical, but the wooden blocks are convenient for collecting eggs and result in higher quantities of eggs. At this stage, it is important to note that BSF do not lay their eggs directly on (or in) a food source, but nearby to one. Blocks should therefore be near a food source.
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To collect eggs, remove the blocks, separate them from each other,
and carefully scrape off the eggs with a toothpick or other small, pointed
item. Eggs can be of different ages if workers do not remove the blocks each
day. By having eggs of different ages, the larvae will hatch and grow at
different stages, requiring added sorting and separation before maturity.
Stage 4- Transition from eggs to larvae
Transfer
the collected eggs to a proper food source where they will hatch and crawl to
the feedstock provided. This could be in a separate area. Use a mesh screen to
separate the eggs from direct contact with the food source. Eggs will hatch
within four days of laying. At this stage, while larvae are small, you can use
plastic trays to hold small quantities of feed/waste and larvae. Ensure the
depth of the substrate should be 2 to 3 inches.
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| Black Soldier Fly Frass |
Stage 5- Select a proper feedstock
One
advantage of BSFL is their ability to consume many types of waste. Use low-cost
or even free waste by-products. BSFL prefer foods high in fats, proteins, and starches.
You can mix waste resources together to ensure a balanced, or ‘complete’ feed
source. This helps ‘bulk up’ the feedstock to ensure higher yields of larvae
produced. For example, you could boost the protein content of plant waste by
adding chicken manure.
Stage 6- Scale up production
As
larvae hatch and feed, they need to be ‘scaled up’ into larger containers for
adequate production. During this step, provide more feedstock for larvae to
eat. How much feed to add will depend on larvae instar, and temperature. Check
larvae at least once a day to ensure there is always an adequate food supply
for growing larvae. When you add new feed, make sure to mix the old feed and
new feed evenly throughout the container or add old feedstock and larvae on top
of a bin with new feedstock. Larvae are light fearing and thus will move
downward to the new feedstock.
Stage 7- Harvest the larvae
Over
a period of 13 to 18 days, larvae will feed voraciously, eating twice their own
body weight each day. Harvesting larvae before reaching maturity (shortly
before the pre-pupae stage) requires sorting, sizing, or separation of larvae
from their feed material. For larvae that are fed directly to livestock,
removal from the feed source is unnecessary. Sorting and sizing are common for
larger production systems but these activities are labor intensive. For easier
separation, by the end of their production cycle, transfer larvae to a
finer-textured feed source. Uniformly small food particles will then be easy to
separate from the larvae. Use various sizes of screens to facilitate sorting
and sizing.
Stage 8- Raising Pupae for Reproduction
At
the pre-pupal life stage, BSF migrate from their food source in search of a
dark, quiet place to transform into a mature fly. If checked regularly, it can
be convenient, and provide a steady supply of pupae for reproduction. Transport
these pupae to the mating enclosure before flies emerge.
Value Addition of Black Soldier Fly
Farming
Black Soldier Fly larvae focuses on producing protein-rich larvae ideal for
feeding poultry, fish, pigs, pets, and other livestock. The protein content in
these larvae varies between 40% and 60%, depending on what they are fed. BSF
larvae also provide a significant amount of fat, which can be used in various
products, including feed additives, biofuels, and cosmetics.
A
notable aspect of BSF farming is that it generates no waste. The main products
are derived from the waste the larvae consume and the larvae themselves. The
frass, or waste, from BSF larvae is nutrient-dense and serves as an effective
organic fertilizer for plants. The larvae themselves offer high-quality insect
protein with good digestibility and an excellent amino acid profile, making
them a valuable nutritional source.
BSF Yield
A
single container can yield 2 to 3 batches each month, resulting in about 1200
to 1500 kilograms of larvae and 2000 kilograms of frass, depending on the
quality of the bio waste used. That’s significant! However, those who raise
black soldier fly larvae outdoors often see considerable variations between
batches due to differences in temperature and moisture levels.
Market Outlook
The
Black Soldier Fly Market was valued at approximately 4.02 billion USD in 2024.
It is projected to increase from 4.72 billion USD in 2025 to 20.12 billion USD
by 2034. This market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of
about 17.5% from 2025 to 2034.
Locally,
Black soldier fly price per kg is between Ksh. 100 to Ksh. 150 for dried BSF
and the Black Soldier Colony ranges between Ksh. 1,500 -2,500 per kg.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much is a black soldier fly per kg in Kenya?
- Is black soldier fly profitable?
- What are the requirements for BSF farming?
- How much is the black soldier fly market worth?
- How long does it take to harvest black soldier fly?
- How do you start a Black Soldier Fly Farm?
- What are the benefits of the Black Soldier Fly?
- What is the lifespan of the Black Soldier Fly?
- What is the production yield of a Black Soldier Fly?
At
Richfarm Kenya, we’re propagators of certified high quality fruit and vegetable
seedlings. For services call or WhatsApp 0724698357/0723213602.
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