FSF and Rwanda Ministry of Agriculture to Build First-of-its-Kind Insect Protein Facility

In January 2020, Food Systems for the Future (FSF), along with Rwanda’s Ministry of Agriculture (MINAGRI), began work on a solution to address protein deficiencies in Rwanda’s population, particularly from animal source food (ASF), like eggs. After a deep-dive assessment of the country’s poultry value chain, FSF and MINAGRI identified that the cost of animal feed – which typically includes soy – was expensive and the primary impediment to producers’ ability to scale their businesses and consumers’ ability to afford foods high in protein, like eggs.

One possible solution to solving the cost of feed for producers and the cost of poultry at the market became particularly promising: the black solider fly.

Black solider fly larvae is a unique protein source that can replace soy and other traditionally used proteins in animal feed. Black soldier flies need very little room to grow; create a much smaller carbon footprint – compared to alternative protein sources; can consume organic food waste quickly and sustainably; and their waste can be used to create organic fertilizer. And, according to a recent study in Kenya, using black solider fly larvae as a protein source for animal feed can reduce ASF production costs by between 25 to 37.5% in the short term and by over 50% in the long term.

To assess and develop the business case to construct the first fully automated black solider fly larvae facility in Africa, FSF partnered with Protix Ltd. and spent the last year evaluating the commercial poultry and fish industries in Rwanda.

Now, we are pleased to share that FSF and MINAGRI have entered into a formal MOU and are moving forward with constructing this groundbreaking facility in Rwanda.

This new facility will: allow for circularity in the food system by upcycling organic waste; reduce the cost of animal feed for producers; make it easier to scale-up the commercial poultry and fish industries in Rwanda; and allow more consumers access to affordable, high-protein ASF.

We look forward to continued progress on this exciting project and furthering FSF’s mission of ending malnutrition!