Black soldier flies ‘prove to lower cost of livestock feed’

Animal feed based on black soldier flies (BSF) larvae is about 40 per cent cheaper than that with protein from soybean and fish meal, study findings have shown, indicating the development could lower the cost of production for livestock farmers. The larvae of these particular flies currently available in different countries including Rwanda, feed on organic waste, and convert part of it into biomass rich in protein and fat, while the remaining part becomes organic fertiliser for improved crop yields. The findings of the research on effects of black soldier fly’s maggot (larvae) meal on growth performance of broilers, are contained in the 2021-2022 annual report by the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI). It had an objective to detect a simple way of producing, harvesting and processing maggots, as well as assess the performance of broiler chickens fed maggot meal as a protein substitute for fishmeal and evaluate cost of production. Its result showed that reducing soybean meal and fish meal in a ratio of 25 per cent to 50 per cent, and replacing this with BSF maggots, give better results in broiler production compared to feeding rations with broiler concentrates alone. As per the research, starter feed for broiler chicken was developed using ten types of ingredients locally available. Starter feed is a protein-dense variety of feed designed to meet the dietary requirements of very young animals such as chicks, to support their growth to lower mortality. Those ingredients include maize, rice bran, cotton seed cake, soybean meal, and bone meal. It demonstrated that the price of the first formula (with soybean and fish) was Rwf752.95 a kilogramme, while in the second formula (with BSF maggots); the price was Rwf454.95 a kilogramme, implying a feed cost reduction of Rwf298 – when BSF maggots were used to replace fish meal. “It is recommended to engage private sector in market waste collection and processing as potential raw materials for BSF production. It is also recommended to engage Private sector in BSF maggots processing as protein source,” the research suggested. “It was also found that the quality of carcass was improved and affect positively meat taste,” it indicated, adding that the reduction of protein sources such as soybean meal and fish meal was achieved and affordable ration for broiler production was formulated. According to Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB), black soldier flies have 70 per cent of proteins needed in the feed for chickens, pigs and fish. Spending on feed accounts for 60–70 per cent of the livestock production cost in the country. Speaking to The New Times, Andrew Butare, Chairperson of Rwanda Poultry Industry Association said that animal feed is expensive for poultry farmers, with a kilogramme of feed for the layers costing about Rwf600, hence increasing the cost of production. As a result, he said, a tray with 30 eggs is bought at Rwf3,900 from the poultry farmer, which is an increase of over 60 per cent from Rwf2,400 it was going for over a year ago. “If it (black soldier flies larvae) can lower the cost of feed, and therefore that of production, that would be helpful to the livestock farmers, and reduce the prices of livestock products for the consumers, Butare said. ‘Improving fish feeding and growth’ Connected to the BSF larva-based feed for poultry, a study on the production and efficiency of black soldier fly for Nile Tilapia Fish diet, was also conducted. It is also part of the MINAGRI 2021-2022 annual report. The results from this study showed that the replacement of soybean meal with BSF maggot meal at various percentages of dietary treatments, have significant effect on growth performance, survival rate, and efficiency in increasing body mass. “Based on these results and the low cost of producing the black soldier fly as they are consuming the unwanted waste, we are recommending the adoption of this animal protein source to fish farmers to sustainably produce cheap and nutritious fish feed capable to increasing yields and maximising profits,” the study indicated.

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Black soldier flies ‘prove to lower cost of livestock feed’