Waste to Insect Protein

The population of East Africa is going to explode over the next 30 years and with it the demand for food (more than double the food than today) and the waste that comes with it. But how will we feed all of these additional animals and process this waste without continuing to exploit the Earths finite natural resources. 

Our solution is to use nature to heal itself through the powerful processing power of the Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL) which will be locally produced at a competitive price to traditional protein sources.

The Magical Equation: Organic waste + Black Soldier Fly Larvae = Insect protein and organic fertiliser

This solution has a net positive impact on the environment while creating the Giver of Life - protein for animals and fertiliser for crop farmers. 

All animals need protein to survive, prosper and procreate: Protein is the building blocks of all creatures on the planet and therefore a critical animal feed ingredient. 

Feeding the future: By 2050 the population of East Africa will double. During this same period and in line with other socioeconomic factors, the demand for meat will more than double. Accordingly, it is forecast that there will be more than double the demand for animal feed by 2050. 

Protein is expensive and inaccessible in East Africa: This is the most expensive ingredient in animal feed. Up to 75% of protein for animal feed is imported adding to its carbon footprint. 

The environment cannot sustain production of traditional protein sources to feed the future: Soy (40% protein) requires excessive natural resources and is a major driving force behind deforestation. Fishmeal (50% protein) is behind so much of the destruction of ocean eco systems as wild fish are non specifically caught at a poor conversion of 5 tons of fish to 1 ton of fishmeal 

GHG emissions: 70% of waste in East Africa is organic and it is the decay of organic waste that emits GHG at 2.96 CO2 per ton of organic landfill

Insects are our solution, and a solution that needs to be shared. The demand for high quality, affordable agricultural inputs far outstrips the supply, and we do not believe that chemicals or crop intensification will solve that underlying challenge. 

We use the biotechnology of BSFL conversion of carbons associated with decay of organic waste into valuable insect protein and organic fertiliser to feed the population of tomorrow. 

We imagine networks of insect production facilities, from large scale high volume producers, supplying the animal feed industries and large footprint farms, to small scale households, feeding themselves from their garden and selling their surplus in the local market.

Our existing sites: Kenya and Rwanda, with plans for a network of large scale facilities in East Africa to create meaningful organic waste management and access to its outputs. These facilities will have low level climate control (leveraging the natural climate and creating jobs) and IOT for inventory tracking of the insects through their life in the facility. 

All our sites have a training room for those interested in learning how to farm BSFL with open source designs for building smallholder farmer access to this naturally occurring insect along the equatorial band.

There is an existing supply gap for access to quality, consistent protein for animal feed which our solution will contribute to closing immediately and continuously as our population grows.  

Waste collectors are an existing part of the fabric of waste in African cities. We work with these existing waste collectors to ensure a secure income stream that upscales the efficacy of recycling organic waste while offering them a respectful business opportunity. The mutual benefit of a regular supply of organic waste for the project and a reliable business opportunity for the informal sector results in a respectful and sustainable partnership.

Consistent quality, locally produced, price competitive insect protein from commercial operations is sold to animal feed millers for inclusion in animal feed formulation. Organic fertiliser is sold to local crop farmers. This will stimulate local employment and the economy, reduce the length of supply chains, improve accessibility. 

Access of smallholder farmers to training in BSFL farming - reduce costs of livestock production with the added value of a quality organic fertiliser for increased yield from the land with any surplus being sold at the market. This will have a direct impact on the livelihoods of these farmers.