Cameroon - Business creation project

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Our project involves the design and construction of a black soldier fly digester; to breed flies, use them to produce animal proteins and organic fertilizers to supply local poultries, farmers and consumers.

01.01 Describe your project in more detail

Black soldier fly farming involves the growing of black soldier flies under controlled climatic conditions using organic or livestock waste to generate food for fish and other animals. The high percentage of protein in the larvae makes them an ideal source of food for a wide variety of animals. In addition to being a good source of oil and protein for animal feed, black soldier fly have the potentials of improving organic waste into a rich fertilizer.

01.02 What is the main problem you are trying to solve?

In Cameroon, a large amount of biowaste is generated in urban markets, particularly in fruit and vegetable markets. By-products produced by slaughterhouses after slaughtering animals, such as blood, intestines, and feathers, are often underutilized and generate additional waste sources. Dealing with waste disposal, municipalities governing waste disposal struggle to deal with the urban cities’ current waste levels in a sustainable way. As a result, biowaste accumulate in open and unregulated sites, creating unsanitary environmental conditions that pose public health risks and contribute to greenhouse gas (GHG) emission. Thus black soldier fly addresses biowaste and mitigates climate change. Chicken and fish farming are among the most rapidly expanding private sector in Cameroons agriculture, and the industry is currently based on traditional animal feed sources, such as maize-meal, soybeans, and wild fish.

01.03 Tell us the major benefits and/or advantages of using the product/service that your project intends to provide (at least 3).

Thanks to their short life cycle (the larvae can already be harvested after 13 days), and their extremely high reproduction rate, you only need about 1.5 kgs of feed to get 1 kg of consumable black soldier fly larvae (BSFL). For poultry, a farm needs about 7 kgs of feed to reach the same results, and over 20 kgs of feed to get 1kg of consumable, clean beef meat. Since the black soldier fly larvae themselves can be used as animal feed, they provide a perfectly sustainable solution to get fodder for fish farms and other livestock, instead of the large-scale deforestation caused by soy fields meant to feed cattle. Black soldier fly larvae are exceptional at converting waste into quality protein. They are far from being picky eaters and can eat almost all kinds of organic waste and by-products, including manure, compost, food waste, carrion (animal carcass remains),mold, and plant refuse. Their by-products can then be reused as fertilizer.

01.04 Please describe who exactly your project is aimed at serving. Who are the targeted beneficiaries?

Poultry and fishery are the fastest growing livestock sectors in Cameroon. These livestock need adequate feed to obtain high quality, improved growth rate and lower mortality rate. Although the feedstock is of different types depending on the product such as for eggs or meat, Black soldier fly feedstock are important feeding component in almost every livestock farm owing to its cost effective and desired results

01.05 When did you start working on your project?

2023-11-01

01.06 How many other partners are associated with your business venture?

1

01.07 Among the other partners, how many are female?

1

01.08 Please describe the profile of each of the other partners (skills, experience, etc.)

SKILLS Time Management: Adapt in juggling conflicting task haven effectively managed a heavy study workload combined extracurricular activities. Self-directed learning: Good at self-directed learning particularly in areas related to my field of study LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE 2016 - 2018: Held the position of a YP (Young Presbyterian) leader of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon (PCC), Sunday School Teacher and Sectary General of Agro-Pro agricultural farming community. NTERNSHIP/ FIELD EXPERIENCE 2022: Six months internship at Edwine’s Agri-Tec, mile-5, Nkwen –Bamenda 2021: Three months internship at Teks Global Buea 2020: Two months internship at CENEEMA (National Centre for Studies and Experimentation in Agricultural Mechanization), Nkobisong -Yaounde 2019: One month internship at IRAD Dschang, West Region - Cameroon.

01.09 If you have a website, a social media page (Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin…), or app, please provide the link here:

01.10 Which industry best describes your project?

b) Materials (agriculture, fishing, chemical products, construction materials, containers and packaging, metals and mining, paper and forest products)

02.01.01 My project contributes to the No poverty goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification

Insects such as the black soldier fly (BSF) are a nutritious feed component for livestock with high protein levels. BSF can be reared on a wide range of organic residual streams. This allows for local production within a circular agriculture, decoupling livestock production from import of expensive feed components, such as fishmeal or soymeal. Rearing of BSF can be done by smallholder farmers, thus contributing to their livelihood, economic sustainability and social status.

02.02.01 My project contributes to the Zero hunger goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification

To address the problem of Zero hunger BSF farming is a popular alternative composting method that uses Black Soldier Fly Larvae (“BSFL”). This method is more effective than traditional composting which is time-consuming, and machine composting which has high electricity consumption. BSFL reduces organic waste within a shorter period (7 days) as these larvae can quickly consume and decompose large amounts of such waste until they reach the pre-pupae stage. Thus, on a micro-level, the primary end beneficiaries will be the food industry, as BSFL can help to reduce and manage kitchen and general food waste, be used as an alternative protein in food products, and utilise food industry by-products in a way that promotes a more cost-effective circular economy.

02.03.01 My project contributes to the Good health and well-being goal

6

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification

Notably, BSF larvae are also abundant in phosphorus, with a content of 0.8%, which plays a vital role in bone health, cellular metabolism, and nutrient utilization. Additionally, the larvae contain a significant amount of calcium (4.0%), contributing to skeletal strength and muscle function. These minerals are essential for overall health and are particularly crucial during periods of growth and reproduction. Moreover, BSF larvae offer a balanced ratio of lysine and methionine, two essential amino acids necessary for protein synthesis and overall metabolic function. This balanced amino acid profile ensures optimal growth and performance in animals fed with whole dried BSF larvae as part of their diet. Applications and Usage: The versatility of whole dried BSF larvae extends beyond their nutritional composition. These larvae can be incorporated into various animal diets, serving as a complete or supplemental protein source.

02.04.01 My project contributes to the Quality education goal

4

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification

02.05.01 My project contributes to the Gender equality goal

4

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification

Using black soldier flies presents an opportunity to empower women across the agricultural value chain, from waste management to larvae harvesting, processing and distribution. For example women are trained on how to sort and compost organic waste and use black soldier flies to generate organic products that can be used on farms and in animal feed. This empowers the local communities, supports women's economic empowerment, fosters economic growth. Thus Black soldier fly farming serves as a gender inclusion and employment creation.

02.06.01 My project contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

4

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification

02.07.01 My project contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

6

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification

The black soldier fly (BSF) lays its eggs in decaying matter where the larvae, the true stars of the show, develop. As they feed, the larvae break down a wide range of organic materials, from food scraps to animal manure, agricultural residues, and even sewage sludge. These larvae convert the waste materials into two highly valuable resources for the agriculture sector: protein-rich larvae biomass and nutrient-rich residue or ‘frass’. The nutrient-dense biomass can be harvested and used as livestock or fish feed or converted into biofuels.

02.08.01 My project contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

6

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification

As we stand at the crossroads of waste management, sustainable agriculture, and climate change, the black soldier fly is a beacon of hope. Its ability to convert biowaste into valuable agricultural inputs, creates immense potential to transform economies, improve food security, and combat climate change.

02.09.01 My project contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

5

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification

02.10.01 My project contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

4

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification

02.11.01 My project contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

4

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification

02.12.01 My project contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

4

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification

02.13.01 My project contributes to the Climate action goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification

As stakeholders in the planet’s future, we are responsible for championing sustainable practices. Ecosystem actors, such as investors and incubator programmes, have a significant contributions to make. As we stand at the crossroads of waste management, sustainable agriculture, and climate change, the black soldier fly is a beacon of hope. Its ability to convert biowaste into valuable agricultural inputs, creates immense potential to transform economies, improve food security, and combat climate change.

02.14.01 My project contributes to the Life below water goal

6

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification

Unlike traditional fish feed sources, such as fish-meal, which contribute to overfishing and depletion of marine resources, black soldier fly larvae offer a sustainable solution. Thriving on organic waste, they transform it into valuable protein, reducing the environmental footprint of aquaculture operations.

02.15.01 My project contributes to the Life on land goal

5

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification

One of the most significant benefits of Black Soldier Fly farming is its ability to reduce organic waste. These voracious larvae are highly efficient at converting organic matter into nutrient-rich biomass, making them ideal candidates for waste management solutions. By feeding on organic waste streams such as industrial food waste, and agricultural by-products, Black Soldier Fly larvae not only divert waste from landfills but also generate valuable resources that can be used as animal feed, fertilizer, or renewable energy sources.

02.16.01 My project contributes to the Peace justice and strong institutions goal

4

02.16.02 Peace justice and strong institutions - Justification

02.17.01 My project contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

5

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification

05.01 There are a large number of customers who already use a product/service very similar to the product/service we envision creating.

2

05.02 The product/service we envision creating represents an entirely new type of product/service.

5

05.03 The product/service we envision creating could be described as a new technology.

5

05.04 The product/service we envision creating is an improvement on an existing product or service.

5

05.05 The product/service we envision creating could be described as an extension of a range of products or services.

5

05.06 The product/service we envision creating responds to a demand or need that has not been satisfied by other products/services.

6

05.07 The product/service we envision creating is a new version of an old product/service.

4

05.08 Justification

Environmental sustainability is a must for keeping the balance between human activities and the natural world. To protect natural resources and biodiversity for future generations, sustainable practices must be adopted. One such way is to grow black soldier fly larvae. Their nutrient-richness makes them an excellent feed for animals, meaning we can reduce reliance on traditional livestock farming. Also, black soldier fly larvae farming is 47 times lower in CO2 emissions than composting and takes up less space than the traditional method. Furthermore, black soldier flies are amazing in transforming organic waste into a valuable source of protein. Their ability to eat a lot while producing little waste makes them perfect for sustainable food production.

05.09 Who are your main potential competitors and what makes you stand out from them?

my potential competitors are feed producers using soybeans. What makes BSF stand out from them is that the high protein content of Black Soldier Fly larvae makes them an ideal feed source for farm animals like poultry and piglets. As a sustainable alternative to traditional feed sources, Black Soldier Fly larvae offer a nutritious, healthy and sustainable option for farmers and animal feed producers looking for eco-friendly options to optimize their animal nutrition programs.

10.06 Are you initiating actions within your community to promote the role of female entrepreneurs?

N/A