Kakamega Farmers Slash Feed Costs by 40% with Black Soldier Fly Farming

Poultry farmers in Kakamega County have long struggled with expensive feed costs, often seeing their hard-earned profits consumed by commercial feed prices. This financial burden has pushed many to the brink, forcing them to reconsider their livelihoods.

Unlike his peers, Joel Muranda, a twenty-two-year-old farmer in Bukhaywa village, found a solution. Introduced to black soldier fly (BSF) farming by his friend Oscar in 2021, Joel discovered a cost-effective alternative to commercial feeds, cutting his feed costs by 40%.

A Natural Solution for a Growing Problem

Black soldier flies are not ordinary insects. Their larvae are rich in proteins and fats, making them a nutritious and cost-effective alternative to traditional poultry feed. The farming process has numerous benefits, including organic manure production and waste management.

"BSF larvae feed on organic waste, turning it into rich compost," Joel explains enthusiastically. "This manure, called frass, boosts crop production, while the larvae provide high-protein feed for my chickens. It's a win-win, since all the waste that could pollute the environment, like banana peels, rotten tomatoes, and potatoes, is used to feed the black soldier larvae and pupae, creating a pollution-free environment."

A similar case is seen just a few kilometers away in Malava sub-county, where Titus Mukonwe started rearing black soldier flies due to the high cost of fish feed.

"I do fish farming, and since the prices of fish feed went high, I wanted to quit. However, an alternative to reduce the cost of feed came through Labed Cash Marine Enterprise, which introduced me to black soldier flies that I now rear and feed to my fish every day," he explained.

Titus says his fish command a high price due to their large size and increased weight, courtesy of the black soldier fly feed.

"When I go to the market, my fish sell very quickly since they are large and weigh well. This allows me to get a higher price and, in return, more profit than I used to get before I knew about black soldier flies as feed," he adds.

The Life Cycle of a Black Soldier Fly

Mark Mbithi, an agricultural expert, takes us through the fascinating life cycle of these beneficial insects:

Egg Stage: The cycle begins when female black soldier flies lay tiny, cream-colored eggs in clusters near decomposing organic matter. These eggs hatch within four days.

Larva Stage: The hatched larvae are voracious eaters, consuming food waste, kitchen scraps, and agricultural byproducts. This is the most crucial stage for farmers like Joel, as the larvae grow quickly and become protein-rich poultry feed.

Black soldier fly larvae 

Pupa Stage: After about two weeks, the larvae stop feeding and transition into pupae, preparing for adulthood. During this stage, they produce organic manure (frass) that enhances soil fertility.

Adult Fly Stage: Fully matured flies emerge, mate, and lay new eggs, continuing the cycle. Interestingly, adult black soldier flies do not eat; they live only to reproduce.

Benefits of Black Soldier Flies

Mark explains that the dry weight of Black Soldier Fly larvae (BSFL) contains:Up to 50% crude protein (CP), up to 35% lipids and an amino acid profile similar to fishmeal

Mark Mbithi an expert on black soldier fly 

"They are recognized and utilized as alternative sources of protein for poultry, pigs, and several species of fish and shrimp. This increases the protein content, which corresponds to weight gain and, thus, higher prices in the market," he explains.

He further highlights black soldier fly farming as a significant contributor to sustainable agriculture, particularly due to its chitin content.

"Chitin aids in soil fertility by holding the soil together, reducing erosion, and releasing essential nutrients like nitrogen into the soil, making them available for plants," he adds.

Chitin also serves as food for beneficial chitinolytic microorganisms, which break it down, stimulating microbial activity in the soil. This process enhances nutrient cycling, improving soil structure, root growth, and plant health.

In terms of sustainable farming, Mark urges farmers to use frass as an organic fertilizer, which reduces reliance on chemical fertilizers that could harm soil fertility over time.

"Using BSF frass offers a sustainable alternative to chemical fertilizers, promoting environmentally friendly agriculture," he explains.

Thriving Against the Odds

Joel now focuses entirely on breeding black soldier flies, selling their eggs to fellow farmers and supplying live larvae to poultry keepers. His once-struggling poultry business has flourished, producing healthier chickens that fetch a higher price in the market.

"My chickens are stronger, grow faster, and their eggs are of higher quality," he says proudly. "People are willing to pay more for organic-fed poultry."

Titus, on the other hand, has expanded his farming activities. Besides rearing fish, he has ventured into crop farming, growing bananas, avocados, onions, and passion fruit with the help of frass as organic manure.

Joel inspecting his bananas after applying frass as manure during his farming 

"I now plant avocados, onions, and even bananas that have brought me huge profits. Organic manure, in this case, frass, gives my produce an upper hand in the market. People prefer organically produced fruits and vegetables over those grown with synthetic fertilizers, leading to higher prices for my crops than before," he explains.

With rising concerns about sustainable farming, Joel's and Titus's success stories serve as an inspiration to young agripreneurs. They have turned what was once a farming challenge into a thriving business, proving that innovation and determination can create opportunities in agribusiness.