“The BSF project helps convert organic waste (trash) into protein-rich animal feed and nutrient-rich frass (organic manure) for crop farming, thus these products are sold to farmers generating an income (Cash)” – Peter Wamai.
By Karuma Evelyn,
As we celebrate World Nature Conservation Day we bring to you the story of Safe Environment Hub (SEHub) a climate action-driven, social enterprise, community-based organization venture into Black Soldier Fly (BSF) farming. Its major aim is to influence positive mindset shifts and actions toward interaction with the environment.
SEHub’s journey started around 2020, during the Covid Pandemic whereby as a group they joined hands to create a strategic plan where people from all walks of life would take full responsibility for their environment. Their major turning point was after a clean-up and tree-planting activity they had organized at Murema Primary School in partnership with USTADI FOUNDATION/CHILDFUND under EMAJIC PROJECT during World Clean Up Day 2022. Some of the exhibitors during the event showcased the BSF project and they decided to pursue the innovative idea. That was the best decision they had ever made!
They researched more about the project, wrote a proposal, and dubbed it ‘Changing Trash to Cash’. A sustainable and lucrative solution in addressing waste management, protein production, and economic opportunities. They were honored to win the ‘2023 Seedling the Future Global Food System Challenge’ which validated their efforts in promoting conservation and impacting the community. They now had funding to support the initial implementation of the project, over time they have received support from the Transformation Fund by USAID/YALI/KU and the Mc Gill Dobson Cup – Environmental Enterprise.
They started BSF farming by incubating 100 grams of BSF eggs and got their first BSF larvae. The Larvae are fed with organic waste consisting of sorted household waste (Chirambe) supplied by CBOs dealing with garbage collection in households and also market waste collected from the market. The waste is pre-processed by sorting the inorganic waste and then crushing the waste using a grinder, then the waste is allowed to ferment for 2 days and afterward, it’s ready to be fed to the BSF larvae. After the BSF Larvae have completely fed on the waste, the frass is removed, and then they harvest the mature Larvae (4th Instar) as well as allow a small percentage to pupate to adult, for colony continuity. The harvested larvae are processed through a drying process ready for sale and some wet Larvae (live) are fed directly to Kienyenji chickens in the neighborhood. The frass is also dried and applied to our vegetable garden at the site. A large chunk of it is sold to organic farmers and schools practicing agriculture. Although they offer an alternative to organic waste, they also advocate for waste segregation at the household level as a sustainable waste management strategy.
SEHub’s journey amplifies the power of One and how a single action towards an initiative can improve an entire community’s livelihoods. BSF is not pathogenic, in terms of health aspects the consumed products are safe for human consumption as well as improving nutrition sustainably. In terms of waste management, BSF farming helps in reducing and converting organic waste from households and landfills to organic products promoting sustainable agriculture.
Regardless of their success, they state there is a need to do more research and create awareness of the innovation as it will greatly help in scaling up BSF farming and help the farmers overcome the hurdles that mostly make farming more challenging.
In the next few years, the role of BSF farming is likely to evolve significantly driven by sustainability in the field of agriculture and waste management and circular economy approach. SEHub encourages farmers to take up the initiative by first pursuing thorough BSF training and research, and carefully selecting a good rearing site for successful implementation.
SEHub draws its inspiration from the words of the late professor Wangari Maathai (Noble Peace Laureate), “Finally I was able to see that if I had a contribution I wanted to make, I must do it, despite what others said. That I was ok the way I was. That it was all right to be strong”.
All photos Credit: SEHub
Karuma Evelyn is a passionate EcoActivist and Blogger; karumaevelyn@gmail.com
