Tropentag, September 11 - 13, 2024, Vienna "Explore opportunities... for managing natural resources and a better life for all"

Feasibility study: Black soldier fly production for animal feed in Ethiopia

¹TRAIDE Foundation, Ethiopia
²Wageningen University & Research, Animal Science Group, The Netherlands

Abstract

Effective organic waste management, affordable animal feed and fertiliser are three major challenges that permeate across rural and urban Ethiopia. The tropical insect, black solder fly (BSF, Hermetia illucens), has demonstrated globally its potential to tackle some or all of these challenges sustainably.
The increase in both the human population and migration into urban areas of Ethiopia have led to an increase in waste production. On average, 60% of the waste in and around urban areas is organic, BSF could play a significant role in reducing the total biomass generated and thus alleviate the pressure on landfills and municipalities whilst making urban areas more safe, environmentally resilient and attractive. Agro-processing and agricultural waste are also promising substrates to rear BSF. Hotspots of potential project locations have been identified where there are favourable climatic conditions for BSF and value chain stakeholders are concentrated.
This feasibility study assesses the opportunities and challenges, at various scales, for the onset of this innovative industry in the country. It presents further the biotechnology to policymakers, professors and entrepreneurs, evaluates the different waste streams within different contexts, assesses the demand-driving factors for alternative ingredients for animal feed, presents two business cases to illustrate the potential of a BSF farm, and then elicits challenges to overcome and recommendations to undertake for smooth technology adoption and steady sector growth over the coming decade. A medium-scale BSF farm, close to an urban area or on the premises of an agro-processing company, has been shown to be logistically and financially viable. However, at current market prices, smallholder BSF production doesn’t seem economically viable if used as a substitute for soybean meal; but it becomes viable when BSF substitutes fishmeal.
The demand for animal-sourced food has been increasing over the past decade, and so has the price of animal feed ingredients, particularly protein sources. The need for competitive alternative sources of protein for animal feed, and thus BSF, has been estimated and confirmed from recent market data and key personal communications. Interviews with key stakeholders on the issue of integrating BSF products into their operations have elicited encouraging responses.

Keywords: Alternative protein, organic fertiliser, waste management

Contact Address: Oghaiki Asaah Ndambi, Wageningen University & Research, Animal Science Group, Wageningen, The Netherlands, e-mail: asaah.ndambiwur.nl