NAIROBI, Kenya – Young Africans like Maya Zaken, Jason Fine and Everlyne Nekesa are changing agriculture on the African continent today, one fly at a time.
For example, when she decided to improve agriculture, Maya came across the black soldier fly.
Today, she has capitalised on that fly to create an organic, nutrient-dense, and protein-rich food source perfect for many uses, cutting methane emissions and diverting tonnes of waste from landfills.
Maya says she aims to work with local farmers and households across South Africa to create a circular, sustainable food system using the black soldier fly.
Her project, “Philafeed,” currently based in the heart of Knysna, is a positive upheaval in the world of waste.
Here is all we know about Maya Zaken’s Philafeed company
Philafeed, a company that Maya and Jason co-founded, is transforming our understanding of food waste into nutrient-rich fertiliser with the help of black army flies.
The company has an easy-to-use yet efficient method. The business gathers food waste from homes, restaurants, and farms and feeds it to black soldier flies.
“Black soldier flies are an insect whose larvae eat food waste and convert it into a valuable source of protein and fertiliser, for those unaware,” Maya explains.
They are the natural recyclers that can assist us in addressing many of the issues facing our world.
They can also help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, support sustainable farming methods and food security, and boost carbon sinks like insect manure and straw.
Y News understands that a third of all food produced is lost or discarded, which releases methane into the atmosphere.
Agricultural practices account for 25 pc of greenhouse gas emissions overall. However, Philafeed is developing a fresh substitute.
Maya says: “We are a part of an interconnected web of life. The history of food is the history of humanity.”
Food systems are responsible for more than 25 pc of greenhouse gas emissions, but food production never phases out.
Against this backdrop, these youthful Africans believe that if we are to restore our planet, we need to change the continent’s food system to capitalise on its cyclical nature.
How Everlyne Nekesa is revolutionising Kenya’s agriculture sector
Back home, Y News understands that the invasion of Ukraine by Russia in 2022 caused global disruptions in the markets for essential food crops and fertilisers, endangering global food security.
As the conflict enters its third year, the spike in global food prices has decreased, but many low- and middle-income nations, like Kenya, still have high domestic costs.
The COVID-19-related workforce shortages and factory closures that started in 2020—the first of multiple interruptions that caused instability in the fertiliser market—exacerbated an already precarious global supply position.
However, amid all of these, it is becoming clear that the black fly soldier, a little-known fly, could also be the key to solving the continent of Africa’s fertiliser shortage problem.
This fly is a productive trash recycler that researchers predict will yield extremely nutrient-rich fertiliser.
In light of these circumstances, Y News saw this creative concept by visiting a 33-year-old black soldier fly, a farmer.
How Everyline Nekesa discovered the black soldier fly
Everlyne Nekesa stated that the COVID-19 outbreak inspired her to try her hand at black fly soldier farming.
“I needed to find more affordable and environmentally friendly methods to feed the chicken. On YouTube, I discovered black soldier fly. This caught my interest since I needed organic waste to provide for my larvae. This marks the beginning of my adventure,” Everlyne said.
Black fly soldier farming Y News understands that the fly undergoes five stages in its life cycle: egg, larval, prepupal, pupal, and adult.
“Breeding, also referred to as the hatching phase, eggs deposited by BSF hatch within 3-4 days into the larval stage; they immediately start feeding on compost consisting of residual waste streams such as organic food waste, market waste, etc.
During this stage, temperature, humidity, and organic wastes are carefully controlled and optimised for the growth of the larvae,” she added.
Everlyne said the larvae consume nutrients from the organic waste as they prepare for the next stage, leaving behind the organic fertiliser.
Ready-to-be-harvested larvae comprise 40 pc to 65 pc protein and other essential nutrients for humans and animals.
“I started with a loan from Fair and Sustainable Consulting firm, which supported me technically and financially. I have also received support through collaboration with the Uasin Gishu county government, which has enabled me unlimited access to organic waste, the main raw material for BSF farming,” she explained to Y News.
How Uasin Gishu County Government is supporting black fly soldier farmers
Ambrose Taurus, the Chief Officer for Environment and Water in Uasin Gishu County, stated that the devolved unit was eager to help enhance the nation’s agricultural output.
“We have permitted our black fly soldier farmers to gather our metropolitan areas’ organic waste. Farmers from Nyeri are now delivering to us and picking up our rubbish. This indicates a substantial market for this type of farming,” he stated.
According to Everlyne, BSF farming is gaining popularity and attention due to its potential for recycling organic waste, producing affordable and sustainable animal feed, and using the frass as an organic fertiliser.
She disclosed that most of her clientele comprises fish, poultry, pig producers, and anyone wishing to use organic fertiliser.
Meanwhile, Y News has also established that Maya, who holds a degree in economics, is a 2023-24 recipient of a Mercedes-Benz beVisioneers Fellowship.
The beVisioneers fellowship equips innovators aged 16 to 28 with the training, expert support and resources to bring their planet-positive projects to life.
Maya’s company’s effort to redefine trash as a resource involves diverting food waste from landfills.
The result is a closed-loop system in which trash is transformed into fertiliser and insect protein, which are utilised to raise crops, feed animals, and make food.
The team in Knysna, South Africa, opened its facility in September 2022 and has since collected 650 kg of garbage monthly. They are currently looking into ways to expand their capacity.
How experts reacted to black fly soldier farming
When contacted for comment, Tanga MBI Chrysantus, Senior Scientist at the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE) and Head of Insects for Food, Feed, and Other Uses, told Y News that trash may be turned into organic fertiliser by black soldier fly which then feeds back into agricultural output.
According to Tanga, approximately 2 billion tonnes of waste are produced globally yearly, but only 33 pc of that is recycled effectively.
“But the BFS can convert this waste into organic fertiliser that feeds back into agriculture. The one you can use the same insects as a source of proteins. At ICIPE, we have established the Insect for Food program that looks at insects from various facets,” Tanga explained.
Tanga further disclosed that approximately 2 billion tonnes of waste are produced globally yearly, but only 33 pc of that is recycled effectively.
“But the BFS can convert this waste into organic fertiliser that feeds back into agriculture. The one you can use the same insects as a source of proteins. At ICIPE, we have established the Insect for Food program that looks at insects from various facets,” Tanga explained.
According to Tanga, insects can recycle significant organic waste collected in metropolitan areas. They can also be converted into incredibly nutritious proteins that can be used to boost the protein content of animal feed.
“Anything that the BFS leaves out is rich organic manure, which can help increase the production of crops like maize, tomatoes, and all other crops we eat,” Tanga stated. Rich organic manure is a limited resource in Africa.
He also said that they have other benefits, like reducing the demand for synthetic fertilisers, which are imported, thus creating a burden on the national economy.
“BSF farming is a sector itself with diverse industries that can contribute to diverse needs for this sector, which can contribute to effective empowerment generation on the continent for the youths and women,” the scientist explained.
Why black fly soldier farming should be embraced globally
Everlyne disclosed via the project that she has enlisted a group of eight young individuals, all of whom are under 35 years old.
She intends to grow the business further: “As you can see, aside from tackling the issue of climate change, this particular kind of farming has helped me create job opportunities for my fellow youths,” she said.
Ronald Lwegado, one of Evelyne’s regular clients in the agriculture-rich Uasin Gishu County, told Y News that he had been using the organic fertiliser from her farm for quite some time now.
“Even three months ago, I bought some organic fertiliser from her. One year ago, I used some organic fertiliser from her to grow my maize and bananas, and they performed so well,” he said.
Undeniably, black fly soldier farming offers an innovative option that, with more research and implementation, could significantly advance global food security and sustainability goals.
