Kenya embraces Black Soldier Fly farming to cut feed costs and boost sustainability

KENYA – Kenya is increasingly turning to Black Soldier Fly (BSF) farming to reduce feed costs, cut reliance on imported ingredients, and promote sustainable livestock and aquaculture production.

Charity Kelsy, a 26-year-old master’s student at Egerton University, sees value in what most people discard. 

In an interview with Nation Media Group, she described how her greenhouse project transforms food scraps, fruit peels, and vegetable leftovers into protein-rich feed for poultry and aquaculture.

The byproduct, frass, she uses as organic fertiliser, creating a fully circular system that turns waste into value while supporting sustainable production.

Kelsy’s initiative illustrates a growing trend in Kenya: BSF farming.

BSF larvae convert organic waste into high-protein biomass within 2 weeks, providing an alternative to conventional fishmeal and soybean protein. 

Each female BSF can lay up to 1,500 eggs, and the larvae harvested from her greenhouse are processed into feed while frass is collected as fertiliser.

The process begins with rearing BSF larvae on organic waste such as food scraps, fruit peels, and agricultural byproducts. 

The larvae consume the waste, breaking it down as they grow rapidly. Once mature, they are harvested, dried, and processed into protein-rich meal for use in poultry, fish, or livestock feeds. 

This innovation offers a sustainable way to meet the rising demand for animal protein, driven by population growth, which is expected to reach around 10 billion by 2050, with most of the increase occurring in Africa.

Aquaculture is projected to expand by more than 50% globally by mid-century, highlighting the need for sustainable feed alternatives that reduce overfishing and preserve marine ecosystems. 

As the sector grows, it is essential to ensure that expansion does not harm the environment, because conventional feed ingredients such as fishmeal and fish oil are derived from wild-caught fish that can drive overfishing. 

BSF protein offers a sustainable alternative that meets industry growth while limiting environmental impact.

From waste to feed

Economic pressures are driving adoption. Poultry and aquaculture farmers in Kenya face margin squeezes due to high feed costs, largely from imported raw materials such as soybean meal and fishmeal. 

Estimates indicate that 30–50% of protein ingredients are imported, mainly from European countries and neighbouring African nations. 

Dependence on imports exposes manufacturers to global price volatility, currency fluctuations, shipping costs, and tariffs. 

Feed accounts for 60–70% of livestock production costs, meaning savings in raw materials could translate into a 10–20% reduction in overall feed costs, depending on formulation and season.

BSF offers a compelling economic case. 

Larvae can convert 1 kilogram of organic waste into 150–200 grams of high-protein biomass within 2 weeks, providing a cheaper, faster alternative to traditional fishmeal and soybean protein. 

Each ton of BSF production reduces reliance on wild-caught fish, helping to curb overfishing and associated emissions. 

Scaling BSF adoption could save feed manufacturers millions annually in imported protein costs, creating an opportunity to reinvest in local production.

Regulations in place

Regulatory frameworks are being established to support the industry. 

The Kenya Bureau of Standards and the Ministry of Agriculture are developing guidelines to ensure insect-based feeds meet safety standards, including pathogen control and heavy metal limits. 

For startups, the main investment lies in laboratory-grade testing capacity required for certification.

Economists at the University of Nairobi Department of Agricultural Economics note that while the technology is proven, supply aggregation remains a challenge. 

Achieving industrial scale requires decentralised networks of outgrowers and efficient logistics to transport waste to processing centres. 

Nevertheless, early adopters are reporting revenue growth that surpasses traditional cash-crop farming by significant margins.

The International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), headquartered in Nairobi, has helped position East Africa as a hub for insect-protein research. 

Kenyan innovators like Kelsey are applying this research locally, attracting global attention and investment.

BSF farming delivers a triple win: improved profitability for farmers, reduced environmental impact, and sustainable nutrient recycling. 

With proper resources, regulation, and education, BSF farming is poised to transform Kenya’s poultry and aquaculture sectors, supporting growth without compromising environmental sustainability.

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