Swiss Partners
Bioconvision Switzerland Ltd., Zurich
www.bioconvision.com
Sheila von Hoerner
Local Partner
Bioconvision Ltd., Uganda
Jinja City Council
www.jinjacity.go.ug
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Documentation
Swiss Contribution
The Swiss project partners Bioconvision and EAWAG have many years of experience with the breeding of Black Soldier Fly larvae as animal feed. In recent years, EAWAG has published online courses and a handbook on the subject.
Description
The project partners will develop and validate an insect farm in Jinja, Uganda, that will process large quantities of organic waste.
The insect farm will produce larvae of the Black Soldier Fly (BSF) in a low-carbon biosystem. The larvae feed on organic waste, which reduces the overall amount of waste. At the end of the process, the larvae are processed into animal feeds.
This alternative source of protein will create employment and development opportunities particularly for women and the younger population. The project reduces dependency on imported fish and soy. Keeping food waste out of landfills will contribute to the reduction in methane and avert spreading of diseases.
Results
The necessary infrastructure for producing larvae as animal feed and larval excrement as fertilizer has been established. This includes the logistics for sourcing the necessary organic waste and the distribution channels for selling the products directly to poultry and fish farmers as well as coffee farmers. By the time the project was completed, 2.7 tons of organic waste were being processed daily.
Impacts
In its first year of operation, the facility processed 985 tons of organic waste and produced 60 tons of fresh larvae for animal feed and 83 tons of fertilizer. This generated revenue of CHF 45,000 and reduced CO2-eq emissions by 936 tons.
To date, this project has created 16 full-time jobs and trained over 200 people. In total, more than 500 people in various sectors are benefiting.
Next, the production capacity of the existing facility will be ramped up from 2.7 tons of waste per day to 5 tons per day.
In a second phase, plans are in place to build a second facility at a major fruit processor in the greater Kampala area.