A New Frontier in Sustainable Feed Production

Shimul’s journey into Black Soldier Fly farming began with insights from YouTube videos, which led him to formal training at Mymensingh Agricultural University. With technical and financial support from the Rural Microenterprise Transformation Project, implemented by the Program for Community Development (PCD) in Pabna, he established a system that addresses a critical need in aquaculture: a high-protein, sustainable alternative to traditional feed.

His farm now produces 300 kg of BSF larvae daily, valued at approximately $592 (Tk72,000). These larvae are in high demand among fish and poultry farmers, offering a cost-effective, eco-friendly protein source. Encouraged by his success, Shimul is investing an additional $24,800 (Tk30 lakh) to expand operations in Cox’s Bazar, where coastal fish and shrimp farmers are increasingly seeking sustainable feed solutions.

“Initially, people thought I was crazy for working with insects,” Shimul recalls. “But now, I export BSF pupae to India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Pakistan, where aquaculture entrepreneurs are embracing this innovation.”

The Aquaculture Connection: Why Black Soldier Fly Matters for Fish Farming

Bangladesh’s aquaculture industry is rapidly growing, but traditional fish feed—comprising fishmeal and soybean—is becoming unsustainable and costly. BSF larvae offer a nutrient-rich alternative with several benefits:

• High Protein Content: BSF larvae contain 43% to 55% protein, significantly higher than traditional fish feed.
• Cost-Effective: Production costs are as low as $0.08 to $0.10 per kg (Tk10 to Tk12), while selling prices range between $0.41 to $0.66 per kg (Tk50 to Tk80).
• Fast Growth Cycle: BSF eggs hatch within 8 to 10 days, and the larvae mature in just 20 to 30 days, ensuring a continuous, scalable supply.
• Eco-Friendly Solution: BSF larvae feed on organic waste, reducing pollution and lessening dependence on wild fish stocks for feed production.

For fish and shrimp farmers, BSF farming not only reduces feeding costs but also aligns with sustainable aquaculture practices, promoting better growth rates and disease resistance among farmed species.

A Growing Industry with Significant Potential

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), global BSF farming is projected to grow by 34% annually by 2030. With Bangladesh’s fish and poultry feed industry valued at over $8.1 million (Tk986 crore), the demand for sustainable, cost-effective feed solutions is escalating.

Currently, more than 280 entrepreneurs across 25 districts are commercially farming BSF larvae, producing over 70 tons per month, valued at approximately $41,000 (Tk50 lakh). Organizations such as the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF), and DANIDA are actively supporting this transformative industry.

Md Fazlul Kader, Managing Director of PKSF, emphasizes that BSF farming could be a key driver in making aquaculture more sustainable and profitable.

A Future of Sustainable Aquaculture

Experts believe that BSF farming can revolutionize Bangladesh’s fisheries sector by providing a cost-effective, eco-friendly protein source, thereby reducing reliance on wild fish stocks for feed.

Abdus Salam, a former professor at Bangladesh Agricultural University, has dedicated 12 years to researching BSF, highlighting its immense potential for enhancing fish health and growth rates while minimizing environmental impact.

To maximize the benefits of BSF farming for aquaculture, Bangladesh should:

• Expand training programs for fish and shrimp farmers.
• Strengthen market linkages to promote BSF-based fish feed.
• Support policy initiatives to integrate BSF into mainstream feed production.
• Invest in research and innovation to optimize its use in aquaculture.

With the global demand for sustainable, high-protein aquaculture feed on the rise, Bangladesh is well-positioned to lead the way. By embracing Black Soldier Fly farming, the country can ensure a more resilient, profitable, and environmentally responsible fisheries sector.

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Mr. Nguyen Thanh Binh, Director of Chau Thanh Seafood Production and Service Cooperative in Dong Thap Province’s Chau Thanh District, stated that in 2021-2022, the price of pangasius vacillated between VND 21,000 (0.90 USD) and VND22,200 (0.94 USD) per kilogram, compared to the current price of approximately VND 28,000 (1.20 USD) per kilogram.

Even though the selling price of fish is higher than in the past, farmers cannot make a profit at this price. Because the price of fish food has multiplied, driving up the cost of raising fish. In addition, it takes 14 to 15 months for a pangasius fish to reach a weight of 1.2 to 1.4 kilograms, thus extending the rearing period.

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Binh stated that five-month-old pangasius fish consume approximately 1.5 kilograms of food per day, while the price per kilogram increases by more than VND 1,000. As a result, the fish have been starving for three days while producers await for a decrease in fish feed price.

As the price of feed increased, so did the price of fish. The price of pangas fish, one of the relatively more affordable primary sources of protein for low-income individuals, has increased substantially, influencing the daily protein requirements.

“Eggs, pangas fish, and lentils serve as a source of protein for the poor peoples. Currently, the prices for all of these items are exorbitant. What then should we eat?” said Dung hanh, a buyer of pangas fish.

In areas with extensive shrimp farming, such as Ca Mau, Bac Lieu, Soc Trang, and Kien Giang, producers are significantly more concerned as shrimp prices tend to decline but aqua feed costs are consistently on the rise. A shrimp exporter from Soc Trang stated that high feed costs are one of the reasons why Vietnam’s shrimp aquaculture costs are the highest in the world.

According to shrimp farmers, the price of shrimp fluctuates erratically, whereas the price of fertilizer, which accounts for approximately 70 percent of the cost of shrimp cultivation, has only increased.

Mr. Tran Van Viet, director of the Thanh Cong Industrial Shrimp Farming Cooperative in Ca Mau Province’s Dam Doi District, disclosed that of the ten shrimp farmers present, nine buy food on credit and then pay it back if they harvest fish. “So the situation has become more critical these days,” he worries.

Comparing Bangladesh to Vietnam, the situation is nearly identical. Thousands of aquaculturists in Bangladesh, who had just begun to recover from the coronavirus and inflation, have been dealt a new setback by the rising price of fish feed.

Recent feed price increases in Bangladesh have been caused by several factors. The rising cost of fish feed ingredients, such as soybean meal and fish meal, is one of the most significant factors. These ingredients are frequently imported hence, international price fluctuations can affect the cost of fish feed in Bangladesh.

In addition, the increasing cost of transporting fish feed is a result of the country’s rising fuel prices. This has increased the price of fish feed, making it even more challenging for fish producers to generate a profit.

According to Dr. Shamsul Alam, State Minister for Planning, the prices of poultry and fish feed have increased and will take time to stabilize.

“Food price inflation reached 8.13 percent in February, up from 7.76 percent in January. In addition, non-food inflation decreased from 9.84 percent in January to 9.82 percent in February. Inflation has increased marginally due to rising production costs” he added.

However, efforts are being made to improve the efficiency of fish farming practices in Bangladesh.

These include, the use of improved fish breeds that require less food and encouraging farmers to implement sustainable farming practices that can reduce the overall cost of fish farming.

Jaber Bin Abdul Bari
Department of Oceanography, NSTU

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