Alternative Proteins Magazine ISSUE FOCUS 38 October 2025 Larger farms benefit from economies of scale. The IWMI study found that while small and medium enterprises invested about 17 Kenyan shillings (Ksh), or US$ 0.16 per kilogram of waste treated, large-scale ones managed at Ksh 9.76 (US$ 0.09) per kilogram. Most rely on simple, low-tech setups—manual sorting, basic tools, and often family-owned land. This keeps start-up costs relatively low. Profits in the Process Despite modest infrastructure, BSF farms in Kenya are turning solid profits. Labor makes up the bulk of operational costs (63–96%) due to the manual nature of processing, but gross margins often exceed 70%, regardless of scale. Enterprises generate income from several BSF products: • Eggs – sold at up to Ksh 200,000 (US$ 1,625) per kilogram to new BSF producers. • Larvae – a protein-rich animal feed ingredient sold for Ksh 150–250 (US$ 1.2–2) per kilogram. • Frass – the nutrient-rich residue used as fertilizer, sold for Ksh 50–60 (US$ 0.40 - 0.49) per kilogram. Many enterprises also diversify by offering training and starter kits to aspiring BSF farmers, creating both additional income and local capacity. Training sessions cost between Ksh 1,000 and 2,500 (US$ 8–20) per person, attracting up to 200 participants each year. A YOUTH STORY: FROM CHURCH WALLS TO CIRCULAR ECONOMY One such enterprise is AderoFarms Karateng’ Ltd., a youth-led agribusiness in Kisumu County. Founder Christopher Adero Okeyo said, “We began inside an incomplete church building, not because it was ideal—but because it was all we had. At the time, we couldn’t afford the expensive BSF infrastructure. What we did have was a dream: to build a circular economy model that turns waste into value and empowers communities.” Today, AderoFarms processes over 4 tonnes of food waste weekly, collected from local markets and hotels. Since 2024, the enterprise trained more than 1,300 farmers—with a strong focus on youth, women, and persons with disabilities—on Photo: AderoFarms Karateng’ Ltd.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTUxNjkxNQ==