As the agricultural world seeks sustainable solutions to feed a growing population, the humble Black Soldier Fly (BSF) is taking center stage. Native to tropical and subtropical regions, Hermetia illucens larvae are proving to be an eco-friendly and highly nutritious option for animal feed, offering hope for more resilient and circular food systems.
What Makes BSF Larvae Special?
BSF larvae are rich in high-quality protein, essential fatty acids, and micronutrients. When reared on organic waste, they convert that waste into valuable biomass suitable for feeding livestock.
Access more information on BSF as an affordable and alternative solution to animal feed by ICIPE an International Partner on the KCOA-KHEA Project; https://www.icipe.org/media-coverage/international-media/black-soldier-fly-larvae-alternative-and-affordable-protein
“BSF larvae offer a sustainable alternative to traditional protein sources like soybean meal and fishmeal. They require less land, water, and energy to produce,” says Dr. Beatrice Njoroge, a livestock nutritionist at the Kenya Agricultural & Livestock Research Organization (KALRO).
Who Benefits—and How?
Farmers and feed producers across Africa are turning to BSF larvae to reduce feed costs and improve animal performance. Here’s how different sectors are benefiting:
- Poultry: Inclusion of BSF larvae in chicken feed improves growth and reduces production costs.
- Pigs: BSF oil has been shown to improve growth performance in piglets compared to traditional fat sources.
- Fish: Aquaculture operations using BSF oil report reduced gut inflammation and better health outcomes.
- Ruminants: BSF grown on manure introduces beneficial lactic acid bacteria, acting as natural probiotics.
“For smallholder farmers, BSF is more than just feed—it’s a way to transform waste into value while feeding animals with a locally sourced, high-protein input,” notes Josephat Mwangi, trainer at Insect School Africa.
Access more information on poultry feeding on BSF by ICIPE an International Partner on the KCOA-KHEA Project : https://www.icipe.org/media-coverage/video/poultry-feeding-black-soldier-fly-larvae-demonstration-exercise-conducted-icipe
Access more information on the nutritional quality of meat from hens and chicken from this resource by ICIPE an International Partner on the KCOA-KHEA Project ; https://www.icipe.org/publications/journal-articles/nutritional-quality-meat-hen-fed-diet-full-fat-black-soldier-fly
Why Choose BSF?
Global feed ingredients like soy and fishmeal are increasingly expensive and unsustainable. BSF offers a renewable, circular approach to animal nutrition that aligns with sustainable development goals.
Health and Environmental Benefits
- Enhanced Growth Rates from high protein content
- Improved Gut Health from lactic acid bacteria and healthy fats
- Eco-Friendly Production with minimal environmental footprint
How to Get Started
BSF farming is suitable even for small-scale farmers using food scraps or market waste. Dried larvae can be turned into meal or oil and incorporated into regular feed.
Practical Guidance
- Access a copy of the TOF Magazine issue 217 published in May 2024 for a comprehensive read on rearing BSF https://theorganicfarmer.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/BSF-Special-edition-PRESS-FN.pdf
2. As part of the KCOA-KHEA Project under ROAM, our country implementing partner has produced valuable knowledge to guide farmers on how to use BSF frass effectively in their farming systems. See link below; https://kcoa-africa.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Black_Soldier_Flies_to_Eddy-1.pdf
Disclaimer:
- To learn about the KCOA Project: https://kcoa-africa.org/
- To learn about the KHEA Project: https://khea-africa.org/
- For more details on information in this article, please reach out to pmagino@biovisionafrica.org
- See license statement of all KCOA Content: https://kcoa-africa.org/licence-statement/ which also applies to all content from hubs implementing the KCOA project.
Blog story formulation – done by Magino Pamella-KHEA Communications Officer-PELUM Uganda and Biovision Africa Trust Kenya
Edited, reviewed&uploaded by Magino Pamella-KHEA Communications Officer-PELUM Uganda and Biovision Africa Trust Kenya
Author: Pamella Magino
Ms. Magino Pamella joined PELUM Uganda on 1st Oct 2021 as Communications Officer for the KCOA-KHEA project. With 9+ years in Communications and Marketing, she specializes in Public Relations, Business Development, and Marketing. Pamella holds a Bachelor’s in Mass Communication (Public Relations) and is a Certified Member of PRAU. She has worked with organizations like The Nile Basin Initiative and Victoria University Kampala, crafting strategies that drive positive change.
