A licensed Syrian project is using black soldier fly larvae to convert organic waste into protein-rich animal feed and organic fertilizer, with the potential to reduce feed costs by 25% to 30%, according to SANA.
Founded by Rabie Azhari, the project began after he studied black soldier fly farming in Malaysia. It now operates in an enclosed space of about 50 square meters and is described as Syria’s first licensed project of its kind, as well as one of the first licensed ventures in the Arab world.
The larvae consume biodegradable waste, including fruit and vegetable leftovers, food and restaurant waste, and some meat, fish, poultry and grain residues. They can consume roughly twice their weight in waste each day, with the larvae reaching a suitable stage for feed production after about 20 days. A full lifecycle takes around 45 days.
Once dried and ground, the larvae provide protein, amino acids, vitamins and fats that can partially replace imported feed ingredients such as soybean meal. The process also produces organic fertilizer, while oils extracted from dried larvae may have cosmetic, pharmaceutical and medical applications subject to relevant studies and specialisations.
Azhari said the project can start with two or three workers, provided it has suitable temperature, humidity, ventilation and processing equipment. Development expert Akram Al-Afeef said the model could support waste separation, local protein production and a circular economy, provided technical, health and market requirements are met.
Source: SANA
