In 2024, the first insect container from the German company Omnivore Recycling was installed at our production site in Ena, Kenya – a pilot project with great potential. (See article) After an intensive testing phase, the system has been running continuously and without technical issues since September last year. The aim of the project is to process organic waste from LIMBUA’s production – as a supplement to our existing organic compost system.
While the production of organic compost from avocado, macadamia, and mango processing waste has been established for several years, the Omnivore system goes one step further. Using black soldier fly larvae, it processes around 10 tons of organic waste per month and produces two particularly valuable products for smallholder farmers – protein-rich animal feed and natural fertilizer (frass).
Conversion of organic waste into animal feed and fertilizer for smallholder farmers
Why the Black Soldier Fly is Crucial for Smallholders
For many small-scale farmers in Kenya, chickens and fish are a vital part of their livelihood. They provide not only food for the family but also a stable source of income at local markets – often throughout the year. However, raising animals comes with challenges: Conventional animal feed is expensive, often imported, and frequently lacking in quality and sustainability. Feed alone accounts for a large portion of production costs – a major financial burden.
LIMBUA farmer with Black Soldier Fly larvae as protein-rich chicken feed
Especially during the rearing phase, chickens and fish rely on high-quality, protein-rich feed to grow healthily. Without this protein source, growth slows down, animals become more susceptible to disease – and the profitability of animal farming declines. That’s why locally available insect protein is such a valuable resource for smallholder operations.
Thanks to our organic compost, LIMBUA’s smallholder farmers already benefit from fertile soils and healthy soil structure – a vital foundation for stable yields and sustainable agriculture. The frass from the black soldier fly larvae in the Omnivore system provides a meaningful supplement: an additional organic fertilizer that enriches soil nutrients and strengthens the long-term resilience of farmland.
Through the insect container system, a local circular economy is created: Organic waste from LIMBUA’s production is converted into feed and fertilizer for smallholder farms, whose harvests are, in turn, processed by LIMBUA. Good and affordable animal feed is one of the key resources urgently needed on farms and has so far been expensive or hard to obtain.
Larvae and Frass – Two Products, Many Benefits
BSF-Larvae
The black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) is a tropical and subtropical insect species. Its larvae can break down organic waste in a short time while absorbing valuable nutrients. They are true protein powerhouses: With up to 60% protein content, they are an excellent feed source for chickens and fish. The larvae grow quickly, require little space, and feed solely on organic waste. They need no additional inputs like feed or water – living entirely off the waste mixture from LIMBUA’s production. A sustainable and circular feed solution.
Frass – The Natural Fertilizer
Frass is the excretion of black soldier fly larvae and consists of a mixture of indigestible plant residues, excrement, and beneficial microorganisms. This organic material is particularly rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium – essential nutrients for plant growth. In the project, frass is mixed with our compost to further enhance its effect. The result is a high-quality natural fertilizer that improves yields and strengthens soil health over the long term.
Circular Economy in Practice – Feedback from Smallholders
The system has now been running continuously for several months – and has since been supplying an increasing number of smallholder farmers with protein-rich livestock feed. Feedback from farmers has been consistently positive: The protein-rich insect feed has proven effective in practice – animals grow healthily, feed costs decrease, and dependence on expensive imports is reduced.
Frass as a complementary fertilizer to organic compost is also appreciated on farms. With the ongoing demand for sustainable feed and natural inputs, expanding the container system in the future is a viable option – allowing us to support even more smallholder farmers and further strengthen the local circular economy.
