Black Soldier Fly Larvae for Waste Reduction, Soil Health & Food

Executive Summary

This project will establish a decentralized Black Soldier Fly Larvae that converts organic biowaste from markets, households, and farms into high-protein animal feed, nutrient-rich organic fertilizer, and sustainable income streams.

The model is designed to tackle three interconnected challenges facing peri-urban and rural communities: the poor management of organic waste, the decline in soil health and productivity, and the limited access to low-barrier livelihood opportunities for youth and women. Over the 12-month implementation period, the system will process approximately 12 tonnes of organic waste, produce 7 to 12 tonnes of larvae for animal feed, generate 10 to 15 tonnes of frass fertiliser for soil improvement, and restore degraded land and train 60 community members in the black soldier farming

Problem Statement

In peri-urban areas of Uganda, 60 to 70 percent of municipal solid waste consists of organic material that is routinely dumped in open sites, burned, or left to decompose uncontrolled, resulting in significant methane emissions, leachate contamination, and public health risks. At the same time, smallholder farms are experiencing declining soil health due to the continuous use of chemical fertilizers and insufficient organic matter inputs, which has reduced soil organic carbon to below 1.5 percent in many areas and led to lower crop yields and higher input costs. Economically, youth and women face a shortage of accessible income-generating opportunities, while the cost of commercial animal feed has risen by more than 40 percent since 2022, making poultry and fish production unaffordable for many small-scale farmers. Black Soldier Fly Larvae offer a low-technology, circular solution that transforms this waste into valuable agricultural and nutritional inputs.

 Project Goal 

The overall goal of the project is to create a self-sustaining circular economy model that converts organic waste into economic and ecological value, restores soil health, generates reliable income for marginalized groups, and increases community access to affordable, protein-rich foods.

Specific Objectives

For waste management, the project will process 1 tonne of organic waste per month using Black Soldier Fly Larvae, achieving a volume reduction of 75 to 80 percent and significantly reducing methane emissions.

For soil health, the system will produce 10 to 20 tonnes of frass fertiliser biannually, which will be applied to farms to improve soil organic matter content and improve food productivity, enhance water retention, and stimulate beneficial microbial activity. 

For livelihoods, the project will establish and strengthen youth, Persons with disabilities, and women to manage the Black Soldier Fly unit, to generate between 200 and 600 USD per month from the sale of larvae and frass fertiliser by the 12th month of operation. 

For food diversity, the project will supply affordable larvae meal to 100 poultry and fish farmers, lowering their feeding costs and enabling them to increase the local supply of eggs, Vegetables, chicken, and fish for household consumption. 

For capacity building, the project will train 60 community members, including at least 40 per cent people with disabilities and 40 per cent women, in Black Soldier Fly operations, safe handling practices, product processing, and basic business management.