Operational efficiency and economic insights of black soldier fly farming: evidence from a facility in Kisumu, Kenya

Adamtey, Noah; Kibet, J.; Otieno, Gloria; Gebrezgabher, Solomie A.

Operational efficiency and economic insights of black soldier fly farming: evidence from a facility in Kisumu, Kenya

Autores

Adamtey, Noah

Kibet, J.

Otieno, Gloria

Gebrezgabher, Solomie A.

Editor

International Water Management Institute
CGIAR Multifunctional Landscapes Program

Descripción

The Black Soldier Fly (BSF) facility at Agoro East was established to address interconnected challenges, including land degradation, biodiversity loss, poor waste management, water pollution, and limited livelihood opportunities. By converting organic waste into high-quality insect protein and organic fertilizer, the facility helps reduce pressure on Lake Victoria fisheries, lowers dependence on imported feeds, and promotes sustainable resource use and community resilience. The facility’s core objectives are to improve organic waste management, produce organic fertilizer, and supply alternative protein sources for poultry and aquaculture. It also serves as a center for farmer training and stakeholder capacity-building in Agoro East and across Kisumu County. This report assesses the facility’s operations and performance to inform effective community-led management following handover. Located within the Aggregated Farm at Agoro East (0°18'00.2"S, 35°02'49.8"E), the facility was established by IWMI in May 2024. Between 2024 and 2025, the facility processed 24.73 metric tons of solid waste and 953 liters of liquid waste, producing 1.94 metric tons of fresh larvae and 3.29 metric tons of frass. Despite an average monthly yield of 162 kg, operations resulted in a net loss of KES 728,558.50 due to high waste sourcing costs, low outputs linked to ongoing substrate research, and the need to retain larvae for colony maintenance. A key finding highlights high labor and waste costs, as well as extreme temperatures that reduce bioconversion efficiency. Despite these challenges, the facility shows strong potential for scalable waste valorization and circular bio-economy development, with recommendations provided to enhance productivity and sustainability.