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 potential. (See article) After an intensive testing phase, the system has been operating 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 residues has already 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 products with practical value 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 Matters for Smallholder Farmers
For many smallholder farmers in Kenya, chickens and fish are an important part of their livelihood. They provide food for families and can also serve as an additional source of income at local markets throughout the year. However, raising animals comes with challenges: Conventional feed is expensive, often imported, and in some cases cost-intensive. Feed alone accounts for a large share of production costs – a significant burden for many farmers.
LIMBUA smallholder farmer using black soldier fly larvae as protein-rich chicken feed
Especially during early growth stages, chickens and fish depend on protein-rich feed in order to grow. Without sufficient protein sources, growth slows and animal production becomes more difficult to manage economically. This is why locally available insect protein is such an important resource for smallholder farms.
Through the supply of our organic compost, LIMBUA smallholder farmers already benefit from fertile soils and healthy soil structure – an important foundation for long-term soil fertility and agricultural production. The frass produced through the Omnivore system provides a meaningful addition: an additional organic fertilizer that expands nutrient diversity in the soil and contributes to long-term soil stability.
The insect container system creates a local circular economy: Organic production residues from LIMBUA are converted into feed and fertilizer for smallholder farms, whose harvests are later processed by LIMBUA. Affordable and accessible animal feed is one of the agricultural inputs urgently needed on many farms and has often been difficult or expensive to obtain.
Larvae and Frass – Two Products, Many Applications
BSF Larvae
The black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) is an insect species native to tropical and subtropical regions. Its larvae are able to break down organic waste within a short period of time while absorbing nutrients from the material. With a protein content of up to 60%, they are highly suitable as feed for chickens and fish. The larvae grow quickly, require little space, and feed exclusively on organic residues. They do not require additional feed or water, but live entirely on the organic waste mixture from LIMBUA’s production – making them a circular feed solution.
Frass – A Natural Fertilizer
Frass is the excretion of black soldier fly larvae and consists of indigestible plant residues, excrement, and microorganisms. This organic material contains nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium – nutrients relevant for plant growth. Within the project, the frass is mixed with compost as an additional component. The result is an organic fertilizer used to complement existing organic fertilization practices.
Circular Economy in Practice – Feedback from Smallholder Farmers
The system has now been operating continuously and reliably for several months and regularly supplies a growing number of smallholder farmers with protein-rich animal feed. Many farmers report positive experiences, and the insect-based feed has proven practical in daily use. This gives farmers additional access to locally available alternatives to imported animal feed.
Frass as a complementary fertilizer alongside organic compost is also being used on farms. As demand for locally produced and organically based animal feed continues to grow, an expansion of the container system could become an option in the future – allowing additional organic production residues to be processed and further expanding the local material cycle within production.
