Producing Affordable Tilapia in Sub-Saharan Africa by Replacing Feed with Farm-Produced Black Soldier Fly Larvae

Abstract

Fish remains unaffordable for communities in many parts of Sub-Saharan Africa where malnutrition is common. High aquaculture production costs due to feed and labour prevent the production of affordable fish. Substitution of commercial with farm-made feed can lower production costs. In this study, on a small-scale Ugandan tilapia farm, commercial feed was substituted with black soldier fly larvae (BSFL), grown using fruit and vegetable waste. Data on the cost of establishing larvae production facilities, operating costs and fish production were used to test the economic feasibility of substituting feed with BSFL to produce affordable tilapia. We found that feed could successfully be substituted with up to 66% BSFL with no effect on fish production. Economic analysis revealed that 55% substitution was needed to produce tilapia at US$2.00/kg with a Feed Conversion Ratio of 2.4. Profitability improves if fish sales are supplemented with sales of frass (used substrate) and any leftover BSFL. Substitution of feed with BSFL grown on local low-cost waste materials provides a sustainable and circular approach to tackling food security in some of the world's poorest communities.