An innovative new solution in the production of fish feed is taking shape in Kenya as Africa-focused company InsectiPro pioneers the use of insect larvae as a protein source for high-quality aquafeeds.
According to the Sustainable Trade Initiative (IDH), which has offered to support InsectiPro scale up production of black soldier fly larvae, the initiative is an “alternative high-quality protein source for aquafeeds.”
IDH’s Aquaculture Program Director Flavio Corsin said the use of insect larvae in fish feed production is a “sustainable way of converting organic waste into proteins.” Corsin said InsectiPro, in partnership with some businesses and a group of out growers, hopes to launch a model “that is essential for scaling up feed production in Africa.”
“The black soldier fly converts organic waste into high value protein,” according to a project brief by InsectiPro. “By using the black soldier fly we can make a circular production cycle that reduces not only our waste but organic waste throughout Kenya.”
According to the Nairobi-based company, “Black soldier flies contain upwards of 50 percent protein, which makes them a better option than soy, and it is a purer product than fishmeal.”
Beth Wagude, IDH program manager aquaculture in Kenya, said the solution could fundamentally change how aquaculture is done in Africa.
“If we prove that we can scale this in Kenya, we will be able to roll this out to other fish-farming economies like Nigeria, Mozambique, Tanzania, and other countries as well," Wagude said. "This may very well develop into one of the fundamental answers to sustainable high protein food supply in Africa in the years to come."
Although Kenya’s fish market is experiencing rapid growth, the diminishing capture fisheries and increasing demand for seafood has turned the need for quality aqua feed into a priority according to the Kenya Marine Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI).
According to the institute, nearly 17 registered fish feed manufacturers are active in the Kenyan market producing mainly floating and sinking pellets, pelletizer mixer, miller and hammer mixer.
“One of the most pressing challenges in aquaculture is the unavailability of efficient and inexpensive farm-made feeds for different stages of fish development,” KMFRI says in a previous report.
The acute shortage of quality fish feeds has led to emergence of unscrupulous dealers that are taking advantage to “compromise the quality of fish feed” according to the institute.
Elsewhere, Kenya, which farms milkfish, mullet, mud crabs, prawns, artemia, oysters, and silver pompano, relies heavily on fish feed importers such as Aller Aqua, Rannan Fish, Skreting, and LFL Riche Terre for the supply of aquafeeds to support the country’s commercial aquaculture enterprises.
Photo courtesy of Bioinnovate
