ICAR Highlights Black Soldier Fly Technology for Sustainable Aquaculture Feed

Organic waste generated by households, markets, and other sectors could emerge as a crucial resource for India's growing aquaculture industry. According to Devika Pillai, Assistant Director General of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), this waste can provide an alternative source of protein for fish feed, thereby reducing dependence on wild fish stocks used for fishmeal.

Speaking at the inaugural function of a winter school on integrated Black Soldier Fly (BSF)-based feed technology at the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) on Tuesday, Pillai noted that waste-to-protein technology addresses both rising production costs in aquaculture and mounting waste disposal concerns.

India generates an estimated 171,000 to 190,000 tonnes of municipal solid waste every day, with biodegradable organic waste accounting for 50 to 60 percent of the total. Pillai explained that converting this waste into valuable protein through insect-based technologies opens up new opportunities for a circular bio-economy by linking effective waste management with sustainable food production.

Highlighting the specific advantages of BSF larvae, Pillai stated that they convert biodegradable organic waste into protein-rich biomass. This offers a sustainable alternative ingredient for aquaculture feed at a time when the sector faces increasing pressure from the limited availability and rising prices of conventional feed ingredients, particularly fishmeal.

In addition to insect-based solutions, Pillai emphasized the need to develop alternative feed ingredients from locally available resources. These include microalgae, seaweeds, aquatic plants, fermented products, and fruit and vegetable processing residues.

CMFRI currently holds a patented BSF larvae technology designed to convert organic residues into nutrient-rich biomass containing protein and fat. Four startups are already undertaking large-scale commercial production of fish feed using this institute-backed technology.

Grinson George, Director of CMFRI, stated that with global demand for aquatic food on the rise, the winter school aims to strengthen technical expertise and promote innovations in feed formulation using BSF technology. This initiative is expected to enhance fish production and support sustainable aquaculture practices. The 21-day ICAR-sponsored winter school is organized by the institute's Marine Biotechnology, Fish Nutrition and Health Division.

"The integration of insect-based technology into aquaculture feed production represents a practical intersection of waste management and commercial agriculture. By converting municipal organic waste into high-protein biomass, startups in this space are directly addressing rising feed costs and resource scarcity. This model demonstrates how scientific research, when commercialized effectively by early-stage ventures, can solve structural challenges in traditional industries while building a viable circular economy." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes