Damascus, Aug. 22 (SANA) A licensed black soldier fly breeding project in Syria is transforming biodegradable organic waste into protein-rich animal feed and organic fertilizer within a 45-day production cycle.
The black soldier fly, scientifically known as Hermetia illucens, has attracted growing interest for its ability to rapidly process organic waste while producing larvae that can be used as an alternative protein source in livestock and fish feed. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) identifies soldier fly larvae among the promising insects for feed production.
Project owner Rabie Azhari told SANA that the idea emerged while he was living in Malaysia, where he learned about black soldier fly farming before bringing the experience to Syria, taking advantage of the country’s suitable climate and the insect’s presence in the local environment.
Azhari said the larvae consume nearly twice their weight in biodegradable organic waste daily, including vegetable and fruit scraps, food and restaurant waste, as well as some residues from meat, fish, poultry and grains. Materials rich in starches and carbohydrates and relatively low in cellulose and fiber are preferred, he added.
Turning organic waste into low-cost feed
Azhari said the project’s economic viability lies in converting low-value waste into free or inexpensive inputs, with raw material costs ideally limited to transportation rather than purchasing them from markets.
The larvae consume the waste for about 20 days before reaching a stage at which they can be dried and used as animal feed, he said.
The process also produces organic fertilizer from residues left after larval feeding. Similar black soldier fly projects use these residues as organic fertilizer, alongside dried larvae as animal feed, according to FAO.
Azhari said oils can also be extracted from dried larvae for use in cosmetics and some pharmaceutical and medical applications, subject to relevant specializations and approved medical studies.
Feed costs could fall by up to 30%
Azhari said dried and ground larvae are rich in protein, amino acids, vitamins and fats and can be incorporated into feed mixtures to partially replace imported ingredients such as soybean meal.
He estimated that their use could reduce feed costs by 25 to 30 percent, in addition to potential indirect benefits associated with the nutritional value of the feed, including improved immunity in animals, fish and birds and reduced need for veterinary medicines.
Current markets begin with smaller quantities intended for pets, ornamental birds and aquarium fish, while larger volumes could be supplied to feed factories, where specialists formulate appropriate mixtures for different animal species and age groups, he said.
The potential of black soldier fly larvae as an alternative feed ingredient is also recognized internationally. FAO sources describe the larvae as a protein- and fat-rich feed source that can convert organic waste into valuable biomass suitable for livestock and fish feed.
A 45-day production cycle
Under optimal conditions, Azhari said, the insect’s life cycle lasts about 45 days from egg to egg. Larvae mature around 20 days after hatching and then spend about 10 days in the pupal stage before adult males and females emerge.
Each female lays between 600 and 900 eggs, according to Azhari, allowing rapid reproduction. The project allocates around 80 percent of its larvae to feed production and retains about 20 percent to maintain the breeding cycle.
The insects are raised in an enclosed environment that simulates natural conditions through controlled temperature, humidity and light, allowing successive production cycles throughout the year.
Azhari said black soldier flies are attracted to the smell of decomposing organic matter rather than human gatherings, while their feeding activity helps reduce the accumulation of organic waste.
The project does not require large facilities in its initial stage. Production can begin in an enclosed area of around 50 square meters, with temperatures between 25 and 27 degrees Celsius, appropriate humidity and ventilation, breeding containers and equipment for collecting larvae and processing waste.
A team of two to three people can manage the initial stage, Azhari said.
According to Azhari, the project began licensed operations about three years ago after nearly nine years of attempts to obtain approval, making it the first licensed project of its kind in Syria and one of the first in the Arab world.
From individual investment to circular economy
Azhari said the project has broader national potential because it combines waste treatment with feed and fertilizer production, job creation and lower agricultural and livestock production costs.
He said production could eventually be directed toward exports after meeting local market demand, noting that black soldier fly products are sought in a number of foreign markets.
Azhari called on relevant authorities to organize lectures and training workshops for farmers, promote awareness of black soldier fly breeding and organic waste sorting, and strengthen media coverage of projects that turn waste from an environmental burden into a productive resource.
Development expert Akram al-Afif said black soldier fly farming represents an opportunity to use Syria’s large quantities of organic waste and convert them into a local protein source for poultry, fish and livestock feed.
He said the project’s importance extends beyond protein production to supporting the circular economy by reducing waste and recovering useful materials.
Al-Afif said separating organic material from waste could also facilitate the recycling of other components such as nylon, iron and glass, easing pressure on landfills and creating employment opportunities, particularly for rural families.
He linked the model’s success in Syria to securing regular supplies of organic waste, strengthening waste sorting at source, complying with technical and health requirements for feed production and studying market demand before expanding.
Such black soldier fly systems are being developed elsewhere as circular-economy models that convert organic waste into animal feed ingredients and fertilizer, supporting the broader economic and environmental rationale behind the Syrian project.
R A H / M.F
