Embracing Black Soldier Flies: One Farm at a Time

As farmers across Kenya contend with rising livestock feed costs amid challenging economic conditions, over 50 farmers from Kisumu County have found hope in a one-week intensive training on the production of Black Soldier Flies (BSF), with another farmer group set to be trained shortly. This training offered practical solutions to combat the high cost of feed, support sustainable agriculture and enhance productivity. The session was based on a training manual on BSF farming for feed and biofertilizer developed by IWMI.

BSF – with the scientific name of Hermetia illucens – is an insect prized for its larvae, which is rich in protein and is an ideal feed source for poultry, fish and pigs. These larvae thrive on organic waste, converting it into nutrient-dense feed and producing a secondary byproduct known as frass. A type of organic fertilizer, frass is a natural soil enhancer that provides a sustainable alternative to synthetic fertilizers, thus contributing to soil health.