Stories
Kenya
21 November 2024
Integrating black soldier fly larvae production into aquaculture
Samuel Odhiambo explains his operation to visitors. Photo: Farm Africa / Maurice Goga
Imagine if compost heaps were breeding grounds for cash instead of flies.
Moses Otieno and Samuel Odhiambo are young entrepreneurs from western Kenya who are engaging in the production of black soldier fly (BSF) larvae. BSF production involves the rapid conversion of local organic waste into high-quality agricultural products that can be used in making organic fertilisers and animal feed, including fish feed.
A sustainable new livelihood opportunity
BSF larvae production has gained significant attention as an innovation that presents a promising opportunity for agricultural development across various farm enterprises.
Farm Africa is partnering with the Mastercard Foundation to promote BSF production among young people taking part in our Youth in Sustainable Aquaculture (YISA) programme in Kenya, to tap into the potential market demand for BSF larvae as a protein source used to produce high-quality fish feed.
The five-year YISA programme, which launched in December 2023, aims to create 150,000 sustainable, dignified and fulfilling jobs for young women and men including persons with disabilities and the internally displaced persons.
Moses’s story
Moses’s entrepreneurial journey has enabled him to rise into a gainful leadership role over the past few years.
He is the coordinator of Finish Ink Busia, a youth-led organisation partnering with the County Government of Busia to manage waste that emanates from county government market spaces. His group members have been earning modest daily wages after collecting organic waste from local hotels and markets and composting it to produce organic fertiliser.
After joining the YISA programme earlier this year, the youth group received training on innovative waste management practices including BSF larvae production.
The YISA programme also supported the young people with catalytic funds to expand their operations and production capacities. This proved to be a transformative moment for Moses’s team of young people.
The group is currently surpassing the 20 tons of organic waste that they used to process every week. The organic waste decomposition rate has improved through the use of BSF larvae, thereby enabling the young people to keep up with the pace of waste management.
Moses Otieno at the Finish Ink Busia BSFL production site
The group has expanded its product offering. ‘‘We aim to harvest Black Soldier Fly larvae and support the aquaculture sector to tackle the shortage of affordable, high-quality fish feed in the market. We have set up a greenhouse with the first larvae colony to kick-start our insect production. The greenhouse has the capacity to produce 300 kilograms of BSF larvae per month, which is direct revenue for us’’ stated Moses.
Moses’s current work extends beyond the Finish Ink group. Through the YISA programme, Moses has been trained to become a trainer himself, and Finish Ink has become a model training site, attracting more young people to BSF farming and helping to create job opportunities for the young people in Busia.
Samuel’s story
When Samuel’s casual job at a construction site came to an abrupt halt during the COVID-19 pandemic, he was left relying solely on his poultry farm to make ends meet.
With limited funds to buy feed for his poultry, he discovered BSF farming not only as a way to reduce his own poultry feed costs but also to tap into the opportunities that existed for the supply of high-quality animal feed in the market.
Samuel realised that starting and managing his own BSF enterprise was challenging. He relied on trial and error, which led to a series of losses and much frustration.
Samuel’s BSF venture took a significant turn when he begun partnering with YISA programme in April 2024. He received training that enabled him to improve his expertise in BSF production, as well as seed capital that enabled him expand his enterprise. He now employs three young people who assist him in running his business.
Samuel Odhiambo explaining BSF production process at his farm
Like Moses, Samuel plays a key outreach role within the YISA programme. He trains other young people in BSF farming, sharing his knowledge and experiences to help them overcome the challenges he once faced. His success has made him a role model to other young people. He motivates many young people and always encourages them to consider BSF farming as a viable alternative to traditional jobs.
“‘Young people usually need something that generates quick income to sustain their daily needs. That is why many turn to [casual labour], where they are sure of getting money by the end of the day. I always advise them to venture into BSF farming as a way of earning a reliable income.’’
Samuel Odhiambo
Black soldier fly larvae producer
“With BSFL, we use locally available materials in rearing the larvae, which needs little space and matures quickly. There are so many opportunities in BSF farming, from waste collection, BSF larvae production, processing, market linkage and equipment fabrication. Anyone willing to start should not hesitate to reach out to me and learn how it is done!”
Samuel dreams of a future where BSF will be sold as widely as fishmeal and soy mill.
His desire is to see more young people engaged in BSF farming, creating a ripple effect that will boost local economies as they promote environmental conservation. He takes pride in the sustainability of turning waste into money.
About the Youth in Sustainable Aquaculture (YISA) programme
The Mastercard Foundation is joining forces with Farm Africa and its consortium partners to build thriving and dynamic aquaculture and mariculture sectors in Kenya that can create sustainable, dignified jobs for young women and men, internally displaced persons and persons with disabilities.
Learn more about the Youth in Sustainable Aquaculture programme.
Learn more about the ways Farm Africa is helping to boost youth employment.
