In early 2019, Dr Tanga from the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology - icipe sent me an email about a project they were working on about some flies called black soldier flies. At first I was shocked with the name. To be honest, I had never heard about them and so he invited me to icipe-Kasarani and there I learnt a lot about what him and the researchers at icipe were hoping to achieve.
Our FarmShield system monitoring and taking measurements of the environment to ensure Black Soldier Flies have optimum conditions
Thats exactly when we at Synnefa started working together with the team at icipe to develop Screenhouses that farmers would use to produce them. As we set up the Screenhouses across Kenya, we learnt from farmers firsthand the challenges they face every day—especially the skyrocketing costs of animal feed like fishmeal and soy that eat into their hard-earned profits.
It’s a problem that keeps too many Kenyan farmers up at night, and it’s why we at Synnefa are so passionate about Black Soldier Fly (BSF) farming. We believe it’s a practical, affordable, and sustainable solution that can transform your farm and secure your future. Let me share why we’re all in on BSF and how we’re making it work for you.
The Feed Cost Crisis Hurting Your Farm
If you are keeping pigs, cattle, chicken or even fish, you know the struggle better than anyone: the price of fishmeal, pig feed, chicken feed or dairy feed keeps climbing, squeezing your margins and making it harder to keep your livestock healthy and your farm profitable. At Synnefa, we’ve heard this from farmers across Kenya, from Eldoret to Embu. It’s a real problem, and it’s why we’re determined to offer a better way forward.
Black Soldier Fly Farming: A Game-Changing Solution
We believe BSF farming is the answer because it tackles two challenges at once: high feed costs and organic waste. Here’s why it works:
High-Protein Feed: BSF larvae are packed with up to 45% protein, making them a top-notch alternative to expensive fishmeal for your poultry, pigs, or fish.
Waste to Wealth: These larvae thrive on organic waste—think food scraps, crop residues, or even market leftovers. This cuts your feed costs while turning waste into a valuable resource.
Take John, a pig farmer in Nakuru. Using our BSF system, he slashed his feed costs by 38% in just four months. His pigs are growing faster, and he’s selling extra larvae to nearby farmers for additional income. That’s the kind of impact we want for every farmer.
How Synnefa Brings Black Soldier Fly Farming to You
At Synnefa, we’re doing more than just talking about Black Soldier Fly farming—we’re making it easy and effective for you. Here’s how we’re doing it:
Specialized Screenhouses: We’ve partnered with the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE) to design screenhouses that create the perfect environment for BSF larvae to thrive. Here is a brief video showing inside our Screenhouses equipped with trays needed for Black Soldier Fly Production.
Here is a video of our good friend Dr Tanga and client Zihanga Limited talk about Black Soldier Fly Production.
FarmShield IoT Sensors: Our FarmShield devices monitor temperature, humidity, and ammonia levels in real time. The data flows to our FarmCloud dashboard, giving you clear, instant insights to keep your larvae healthy and productive—no guesswork needed.
This picture shows our FarmShield IoT sensors monitoring the Black Soldier Flies to ensure the optimum environment is maintained for optimum production
Smart Solar Dryers: Our solar-powered dryers make processing larvae fast and cost-effective by reducing moisture, so you can store or sell your feed with ease.
Training and Support: We provide hands-on training through ICIPE and our extension team, so you’re set up for success from day one. All trainings are free and are organised and done by our partner ICIPE. If you are interested, please write to icipe@icipe.org
Affordable for Every Farmer
We know upfront costs can be a barrier, so we’ve made our BSF systems accessible:
Leasing and Rental Options: You can lease our FarmShield system if you already have a screenhouse producing Black Soldier Flies. Start without a big investment, keeping your cash flow intact.
Cost-Effective Dryers: Our solar-powered dryers cut processing costs and save time. You can rent-to-own our smart solar dryers enabling you to pay small installments as you dry your BSF overtime for 12-24 months.
Ongoing Support: Our team is with you every step, ensuring you get the most out of BSF farming. We do on site trainings every 3 months to ensure your system is optimum.
Real Impact for Your Farm
Farmers using our BSF solutions are seeing results that speak for themselves:
Feed costs reduced by up to 40%.
Healthier, faster-growing poultry, pigs, and fish.
Extra income from selling surplus larvae and fertilisers to other farmers.
Cleaner farms with less organic waste piling up.
This is going above and beyond just saving money—it also gives you control over your farm’s future.
Our Vision: Empowering You with Climate-Smart Farming
At Synnefa, we’re driven by a big goal: to empower every smallholder farmer in Kenya with tools that are affordable, sustainable, and practical. BSF farming is a cornerstone of that vision, alongside our smart greenhouses, FarmShield IoT sensors, and FarmCloud software. We see BSF farming as part of a broader movement toward climate-smart agriculture that supports Kenya’s push for a greener, circular economy.
But at the end of the day, this is about you—our farmers. You’re the heart of Kenya’s agriculture, and we’re here to help you thrive, no matter the challenges.
Join the BSF Revolution
If you’re ready to cut feed costs, grow healthier livestock, and turn waste into wealth, we’re here to make it happen. Talk to a consultant at Synnefa to learn more about our BSF farming solutions and how we can support your farm.
Together, let’s build a stronger, greener future for Kenyan farming.
With passion and commitment.