Alternative Proteins Magazine ISSUE FOCUS October 2025 39 BSF farming and entrepreneurship. Their products include BSF eggs (US$ 0.32) per gram for companies managing waste in hotels and parks, larvae (US$ 2.8) per pack for community farmers, pupae (US$ 7.2) per kilogram for startup BSF farms, and frass (US$ 0.4) per kilogram for vegetable growers and nurseries. RISKS FACED BY BSF ENTERPRISES The IWMI study also highlighted key risks. Rising competition for organic waste was cited by 88% of enterprises, while transportation costs—especially for fragile pupae—were a concern for over 60%. Infestations by houseflies and ants, limited product certification, and market monopolization by a few large players pose additional challenges. Some farmers also hesitate to adopt BSF products, confusing the larvae with housefly maggots or underestimating the value of frass as fertilizer (Figure 2). FROM FEASIBILITY TO COMMUNITY INNOVATION Building on the feasibility study findings, IWMI, in collaboration with Kisumu community, established a community-run BSF plant that processes up to 40 tons of organic waste annually. Operating since 2024, the plant doubles as a training hub for over 100 farmers, turning organic waste into high-quality feed and fertilizer. The initiative exemplifies how science-based insights can evolve into community-driven circular economy solutions. Dr. Noah Adamtey, Senior Researcher and Resource Recovery Expert at IWMI, describes BSF as “environmental engineers” whose benefits span food, nutrition, and even pharmaceutical applications. BUILDING A CIRCULAR FUTURE From small youth-led startups to community-scale models, BSF farming in Kenya is proving both financially viable and socially transformative. With continued investment, knowledge sharing, and supportive policies, the humble BSF could become a cornerstone of sustainable, circular agri-food systems across Africa. Figure 2. Percentage of BSF enterprises reporting risk factors in Kenya About Dr. Solomie Gebrezgabher With over ten years of experience in research and project implementation focused on advancing circular bioeconomy solutions for economic, social, and environmental sustainability in developing countries, Dr. Solomie Gebrezgabher's work focuses on the economics of resource recovery, business model innovation, and entrepreneurship in circular systems. She has led and contributed to numerous projects across multiple countries, driving research, capacity building, and the scaling of circular bioeconomy solutions in diverse contexts. 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 Fragility of pupae during transportation Electricity cost and power cuts Seasonal variation in production Variablility in price of final products Lack of product certification Getting licence Infestation and attacks by ants High cost of transportaion High cost of raw material Percentage
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