Rural Microenterprise Transformation Project (RMTP)
Supported by: Polli Karmo-Sohayk Foundation (PKSF)
Implemented by: Grameen Manobic Unnyan Sangstha (GRAMAUS)
Venue: Dean Office, Faculty of Fisheries, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh
09 January 2023: The black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens or BSF) is a species originating from South America. Nowadays it is cosmopolitan, present across temperate climates in the Americas, Europe, Africa, and Asia. Its name comes from the colour of the adult flies, which are black with metallic reflections. They are a great source of animal protein for fish, egg-laying chickens and
poultry and alike. When dried, they contain up to 50% of high-quality protein. In this circumstance, Grameen Manobic Unnyan Sangstha (Gramaus) has signed a MoU with Professor Dr. Md. Abdus Salam, Professor, Aquaculture Department, Faculty of Fisheries, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh for study on “Establishment of suitable culture technique of Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL) and suitability for aquaculture practices as an alternative fish feed”
GRAMAUS implemented this activity through the sub-project titled ‘Production and Marketing of Safe Fish & Fish product’ which is implementing from 01 July 2022 under the RMTP.
Purpose of the Study:
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war crisis, the price of fish feed is increasing day by day. But the fish price is not increased in the same pattern. Also, there is a concern about commercial fish feed quality and growth performance. As a result, the fish producers are in losing concern and even they are demotivated for fish cultivation. To overcome the feed-related constraints, RMTP through the sub-project of GRAMAUS is to take endeavors to produce small-scale fish feed at the community level using black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) as a substitute/ replacement for fish meal and/or meat & bone meal imported from aboard. But the BSFL culture is a new avenue in Bangladesh, hence it is necessary to hire a renowned researcher to conduct a trial work titled “Establishment of suitable culture technique of BSFL and suitability of aquaculture practices as an alternative fish feed”.
Final Report Presentation:
Professor Dr. A.K.M Naushad Alam Dean, Faculty of Fisheries, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh chaired the research final report presented by Professor Dr. Md. Abdus Salam, Mr. Ripon Kumar Pal, District Fisheries Officer, Mymensingh was present as the chief guest and Md. Fazlur Rahaman, Director, Grameen Manobic Unnyan Sangstha (Gramaus) and more than 10 senior professors of all department of fisheries faculty of Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh were presents in the workshop. Key points of the Report as follows-
- The Black Soldier Fly (BSF), larvae has an incredible ability to transform organic waste into edible biomass;
- Moreover, BSF larvae can efficiently convert organic waste into essential nutrition’s such as proteins, lipids, peptides, amino acids, and vitamins;
- Additionally, they produce chitin, a versatile compound that has various industrial application, and polypeptides contribute to the nutritional richness of the biomass;
- This remarkable capacity to convert waste into a nutrient-rich resources underscores the potential of the BSF in sustainable waste management and as a valuable resource for various industries, including animal feed and nutrition.
Life Cycle of BSF as are follow :
Discussion and feedback session
The following participants have participated in the discussion session on the presented report.
;
|
Sl |
Name of Participants |
Designation |
Quote |
|
01 |
Mr. Ripon Kr. Pal |
District Fisheries Officer, Mymensingh |
We know that, there is no government subsidy in fisheries sector. The price of fish farming including food and other ancillary products is increasing day by day but the farmers are managing it themselves. In this situation that in the research paper presented at the workshop today, we found that black soldier fly larvae could be used as an alternative to fish food. Which is good news for fish farming. I will inform to all upazila Fisheries Officers, to replicate it among the farmer in their respective upazila as soon as possible.
|
|
02 |
Md. Fazlur Rahaman |
Director, GRAMAUS, Mymensingh
|
Many fish farmers in Mymensingh region have given up fish farming due to high food prices. Farmers will be interested in fish farming if black soldier fly farming can be popularized.
|
|
03 |
Dr. Md. Ali Reza |
Head of the Department, Aquaculture, BAU, Mymensingh. |
According to the way fish food is increasing day by day, the farmers are not getting the price of fish accordingly. This is a challenge in fish farming. An alternative innovation is needed to address this. Today's research reports on the black soldier fly confirm that the larvae of this fly can be a safe alternative food for fish.
|
|
04 |
Dr. Md. Masum Ahemed |
Professor, Entomology Department, BAU, Mymensingh. |
We are working on entomology in this university. We were supposed to do this kind of work. But doing this innovative work by the Professor Dr. Md. Abdus Salam. We gratitude and thank all concerned on behalf of our Department.
|
|
05 |
Dr. Md. Rafiqul Islam Sadder |
Head of the Department, Fisheries Biology and Genetics, BAU, Mymensingh. |
In fish farming, food prices are increasing day by day. On the other hand, dietary protein is decreasing day by day. In this case, in today's report I found that black soldier fly larvae has high levels of protein. Which is a positive aspect.
|
|
06 |
Dr. Bapon Dey |
Head of the Department, Poultry Science BAU, Mymensingh. |
I am from the poultry sector, after seeing the report I feel that besides fish, black soldier fly to the poultry can be the most important substitute for soybeans. Also, I think this kind of research should be done more widely.
|
|
07 |
Dr. Muhamod Mehedi Hasan |
Head of the Department, Fisheries Technology (FT), BAU, Mymensingh.
|
As a result of the use of black soldier fly larvae , more research is needed on how much fish growth will occur if carp fish and catfish food are as used.
|
|
08 |
Dr. Johir Rayhan |
Proprietor, Niharika Fisheris & Hatchery Private Ltd. |
This initiative is certainly innovative for the region of Mymensingh. BAU, Mymensingh, BFRI, Department of Fisheries and GRAMAUS along with other Non-Governmental Organizations should play a leading role for the scaling-up black soldier fly farming in order to sustain commercial fisheries in the region.
|
|
09 |
Mr. Mahbub Alam Khan (Shahin) |
Freelancing Consultant on Aquaculture Nutrition Of different Feed Mill in Bangladesh |
Good quality fish meal has increased by BDT.120 to 200 per kg in the last one year. Which is one of the many obstacles in fish farming. If black soldier fly larvae can be produced enough, it will play a role in solving such food problems.
|
|
10 |
Dr. AKM Nowshad Alom |
Dean, Faculty of Fisheries, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh |
It is an excellent study. I am on behalf of the faculty of fisheries, thanks and gratitude to the Professor Dr. Md.Abdus Salam and GRAMAUS and PKSF for implementing this innovative activity. The Faculty of Fisheries will provide all kinds of support to bring about it.
|
Challenges of BSF Farming
The following challenges in Black Soldier Fly (BSF) farming mentioned in the presented report.
Sustainability
BSFL can be farmed using food waste, which is a more sustainable and environmentally friendly approach than the feed used to farm livestock:
- Efficiency: Highly efficient at converting organic waste into edible material, surpassing traditional livestock.
- Resource Requirements: Require minimal land, water, and resources for breeding and rearing
- Environmental Impact: Produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional livestock rearing.
- Nutritional Value: Rich in protein, calcium, iron, and fats, suitable for various feeds and foods.
- Versatility: Usable in animal feed, pet food, and human food products.
- BSF larvae farming is easy and farming is much more ethical.
- Organic wastes recycling through BSF is a sustainable and cost-effective process that promotes resource recovery, and generates nutrient rich maggot and frass.
Conclusion
The adult black soldier fly is not usually considered a pest. Because the larvae have been shown to be effective manure recyclers, a "Black Soldier Fly Manure Management System" has been proposed to not only reduce livestock waste, but also generate a food source for fish and other animals. All in all we can say for sure that BSF can be considered as a good alternative food to fish. Also it can be an ingredient in organic fertilizers.
Prepared by Approved by
|
Kallan Rema Monitoring & Evaluation Officer Production and Marketing of Safe Fish & Fish product. Grameen Manibic Unnyan Sangstha (Gramaus)
|
Razib Roy Value Chain facilitator (VCF) Production and Marketing of Safe Fish & Fish product. Grameen Manibic Unnyan Sangstha (Gramaus)
|
