App Ecosystem to unleash the power of insects to cut waste, reduce methane, feed livestock and create jobs

About the project

UK-registered Partner: Barefoot Lightning Ltd – Dr Simon Holland
Africa-registered Partner: International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE) – Dr Chrystantus Tanga

Production costs for pig, poultry and fish in Sub-Saharan Africa are highly dependent on the cost of feed which was 70-80% of the cost of production before costs began to increase globally for fertilisers and grains. One of the major protein ingredients of commercial and self-mixed feed is soymeal which typically comes with a high carbon footprint.

The use of Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSF) as a protein substitute is growing rapidly across Sub Saharan Africa where it can both reduce the cost of feed as well as process waste materials to reduce the decomposition carbon footprint from rotting waste.

The project investigated the science and costs behind production of BSF on different substrates and the impacts on the nutritional value and growth performance of the target livestock species in order to develop tools to support the wider engagement and take-up of BSF farming as a business and also for on-farm by livestock farmers.

Animation and video content was created to support the discovery, engagement and start-up of new BSF projects from micro to large scale production. Additional tools were designed to support BSF production and processing into balanced feed products for farmers, processors and feed mills.

Work has also begun to link these products to financial products and carbon markets to facilitate more rapid growth and take-up of BSF in livestock feed and farming. Barefoot Lightning Ltd and ICIPE are continuing to work through other projects to deliver the next phase of development.