How black soldier fly farming is revolutionizing livestock feeds
Wiggling our way to food security
By Pierra Nyaruai
Maggots are an essential part of the ecosystem since they help in breaking down organic matter. However, they are shunned by people, and they are considered disgusting. This is why it is unprecedented that something considered vile can be a source of food security.
In the heart of rural Kenya, farmers are turning to an unlikely source of chicken feed: black soldier fly larvae (BSL). These small, wriggling creatures might not be the most appetizing food for humans, but they’re packed with protein and other essential nutrients that make them a valuable addition to a chicken’s diet.
The practice of using BSL for chicken feed is still relatively new in Kenya, but it’s gaining popularity among farmers who are looking for more sustainable and affordable ways to raise their poultry.
In Kajiado County, located in southern Kenya, farmer John Kipkemoi has been raising chickens for more than 10 years. However, he first heard about the benefits of using BSL in his poultry operation a few years ago.
“At first, I was skeptical,” Kipkemoi admits. “I did not want to try something new that might not work. But then I started doing some research and talking to other farmers who were using BSL, and I became convinced that it was worth a shot.”
Kipkemoi now has a small BSL farm set up on his property, where he cultivates the larvae in large bins filled with decomposing organic material, such as fruit and vegetable scraps. Once the larvae have reached maturity, he feeds them to his chickens, either whole or ground up into a powder.
“I’ve noticed a big difference in my chickens since I started using BSL,” Kipkemoi says. “They are healthier, and they lay more eggs. Plus, it’s a lot cheaper than buying commercial chicken feed.”
Kipkemoi estimates that he saves about thirty percent on feed costs by using BSL instead of traditional chicken feed. And because he is able to produce the larvae on his own property, he does not have to worry about sourcing or transporting feed from outside suppliers.
Beatrice Wanjiku, a Nakuru based farmer, runs a small-scale poultry operation, with about fifty chickens, and was struggling to afford commercial chicken feed, especially during the dry season when prices go up. She adopted BSL, and started with just a few bins of larvae, but it turned out into an exciting adventure.
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“My chickens were healthier and happier, and I was spending less on feed.”
She substitutes BSL for maize and sorghum. The Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) has conducted research on Black Soldier Fly (BSF) farming and has found it to be a promising and sustainable alternative for feed production for livestock and fish.
KALRO has noted that BSF larvae can convert organic waste into protein-rich feed, which can significantly reduce the cost of animal feed production. In addition, the by-product of BSF farming, which is the residue left after the larvae are harvested, can be used as organic fertilizer or soil conditioner.
KALRO has also highlighted the potential benefits of BSF farming for small-scale farmers, particularly those in rural areas. BSF farming can be an income-generating activity for farmers who can collect organic waste from their households or surrounding areas and sell the larvae or the residue as a source of income.
But BSL farming isn’t without its challenges. Both Kipkemoi and Wanjiku say that maintaining the right conditions for the larvae to thrive can be difficult, especially during periods of extreme weather like droughts or heavy rains.
“It takes a lot of work to keep the bins at the right temperature and moisture levels, but once you get the hang of it, it’s not too bad,” Kipkemoi says.
Wanjiku agrees. “It’s definitely more work than just buying commercial chicken feed,” she says.
In addition to the cost savings, BSL farming has other advantages for small-scale farmers in Kenya. Because the larvae can be produced on-site, farmers don’t have to rely on outside suppliers, which can sometimes be affected by fluctuating demand and supply factors.
The farming of BSL in Kenya is still in its early stages, but it holds great potential for small-scale farmers looking for a sustainable and cost-effective way of producing animal feed. In addition to being an excellent source of protein, BSL farming also contributes to reducing waste and promoting a circular economy.
The lack of awareness and knowledge about BSL farming among farmers and consumers is one such challenge. This means very few farmers know about it and the bulk of farmers still depend heavily on commercially manufactured feeds. There is also a need for investment in research and development to improve the efficiency and scalability of BSL farming.
With investment, awareness, and a positive outlook on BSF farming, this could be a great opportunity to provide employment opportunities and solve food insecurities.
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