BSFF: Organic fertilizer for soil improvement

Low cost fertilizer for healthy and profitable agriculture for African farmers.

Frass is a compost derived from black soldier fly (BSFL) larvae treatment of biodegradable wastes. In a commercial context, BSFF often refers to a mixture of primarily BSFL faeces, substrate residues, shed BSFL exoskeletons, and a microbial population that carries out fermentation. One of the primary reasons for the high value placed on BSF frass is its nutrient-rich composition. Packed with essential soluble nutrients like nitrogen (1.7 to 1.9%), phosphorus (from 1.0 to 2.5%), potassium, and micronutrients. Organic matter content (C/N ratio) of BSFL frass derived from different types of food may range from 8:1 to 27:1.

This technology is validated.

8•7

Scaling readiness: idea maturity 8/9; level of use 7/9

Adults 18 and over: Positive high

The technology creates job opportunities and encourages youth to innovate in sustainable agricultural practices and waste management.

The poor: Positive high

Low-cost organic fertilizer improves farm profitability and promotes sustainable farming practices, contributing to food security.

Under 18: Positive medium

Reducing organic waste contributes to a healthier environment and promotes well-being.

Women: Positive medium

Access to affordable organic fertilizer enhances crop yields and income while empowering women in agricultural decision-making.

Climate adaptability: Highly adaptable

BSFF technology enhances soil health and resilience, contributing to improved agricultural adaptability in the face of climate change.

Farmer climate change readiness: Significant improvement

BSFF technology enhances farmers’ ability to adapt to and mitigate the effects of climate change.

Biodiversity: Positive impact on biodiversity

The integration of organic fertilizers supports diverse microbial life in the soil, promoting overall biodiversity within agricultural systems.

Carbon footprint: A bit less carbon released

It contributes to lower carbon emissions through reduced reliance on synthetic fertilizers and improved waste management practices.

Environmental health: Greatly improves environmental health

The technology minimizes waste accumulation and pollution, leading to healthier ecosystems and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

Soil quality: Improves soil health and fertility

BSFF fertilizer enriches soil with essential nutrients and organic matter, improving soil structure and fertility over time.

Water use: Much less water used

The use of organic fertilizer from BSFF reduces the need for chemical fertilizers, which can lead to better water quality and reduced runoff.

Problem

Lack of efficient and cost-effective solutions for organic waste management in Africa contributes to increasing environmental and health challenges.
A significant portion of biodegradable waste (37% in landfills, 33% in open dumps) poses severe environmental risks, such as soil and water contamination.
Soil erosion in Sub-Saharan Africa is a major factor leading to stagnant or declining agricultural productivity.
Nutrient imbalances in smallholder farms, where more nutrients are removed than replenished, further degrade soil fertility.

Solution

Efficient Organic Waste Management: BSF technology is already delivering strong results for farmers and communities. In Kenya, BSF frass boosts crop yields by over 100% especially when combined with small doses of chemical fertiliser. BSFF technology provides a sustainable and cost-effective method for managing organic waste by converting biodegradable materials into nutrient-rich compost, reducing reliance on landfills and open dumps.
Reducing Environmental Contamination: By processing organic waste, BSFF technology mitigates the risk of soil and water contamination from improper waste disposal, contributing to a healthier environment.
Soil Fertility Improvement: The frass produced by BSFF technology is rich in essential nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium), which helps restore soil fertility and address nutrient imbalances in smallholder farms.
Combatting Soil Erosion: The application of BSFF frass improves soil structure and organic matter content, enhancing its capacity to resist erosion and support sustainable agricultural productivity.

Key points to design your program

BSFF technology offers a transformative, nature-based solution that directly supports Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), gender inclusion, and climate resilience. By converting organic waste into nutrient-rich organic fertilizer (frass), BSFF enhances soil health, promotes food security, and stimulates green economic activity. It also contributes to sustainable waste management, reduces methane and carbon emissions by up to 50%, and creates livelihood opportunities for youth and women.

To facilitate the successful adoption and scaling of BSFF technology in development projects, consider the following key activities:

Farmer Capacity Building: Organize training sessions and field demonstrations to show how BSFF fertilizer improves crop yields, strengthens soil fertility, and reduces dependency on chemical inputs.
Equitable Access and Inclusion: Partner with local suppliers and networks to make BSFF fertilizer accessible to smallholder farmers, especially women and youth, by providing technical assistance and financial mechanisms that support adoption.
Needs Assessment and Fertilizer Planning: Conduct soil testing and nutrient mapping to define optimal BSFF application rates, ensuring efficient and targeted use across diverse agro-ecological zones.
Implementation Support: Provide tools, manuals, and continuous extension support to encourage effective integration of BSFF into ongoing agricultural practices.
Awareness and Communication Campaigns: Develop multilingual, culturally relevant communication materials that highlight BSFF's benefits, application guidelines, and its alignment with sustainable agriculture goals.
Partnership and Scaling: Collaborate with governments, farmer organizations, and private actors to embed BSFF in broader agricultural development strategies, leveraging policy, funding, and technical support to accelerate uptake.

By supporting BSFF integration, development partners can contribute to climate-smart agriculture, circular economy development, and resilient rural livelihoods—delivering measurable, scalable impact across Africa.

Cost: $$$ 3 USD

Per 50kg bag

IP

National phase application

Countries with a green colour: Tested & adopted
Countries with a bright green colour: Adopted
Countries with a yellow colour: Tested
Countries with a blue colour: Testing ongoing

Countries where the technology is being tested or has been tested and adopted
Country	Testing ongoing	Tested	Adopted
Benin	–No ongoing testing	Tested	Adopted
Cameroon	–No ongoing testing	Tested	–Not adopted
Democratic Republic of the Congo	–No ongoing testing	Tested	–Not adopted
Ghana	–No ongoing testing	Tested	Adopted
Kenya	–No ongoing testing	Tested	–Not adopted
Mali	–No ongoing testing	Tested	–Not adopted
Niger	–No ongoing testing	Tested	–Not adopted
Nigeria	–No ongoing testing	Tested	–Not adopted
Togo	–No ongoing testing	Tested	–Not adopted

This technology can be used in the colored agro-ecological zones. Any zones shown in white are not suitable for this technology.

Agro-ecological zones where this technology can be used
AEZ	Subtropic - warm	Subtropic - cool	Tropic - warm	Tropic - cool
Arid
Semiarid
Subhumid
Humid

Source: HarvestChoice/IFPRI 2009

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals that are applicable to this technology.

Goal 2: zero hunger

It enhances soil fertility and crop yields, contributing to food security and improved nutrition.

Goal 3: good health and well-being

By reducing chemical fertilizer use, BSFF technology promotes healthier food production and lessens environmental toxins.

Goal 12: responsible production and consumption

It supports sustainable waste management practices, transforming organic waste into valuable fertilizers.

Goal 15: life on land

The use of organic fertilizers fosters biodiversity and helps maintain healthy ecosystems, promoting land sustainability.

Application Guidelines: BSFF fertilizer is recommended for fruits and vegetables, with an optimal application rate of 10 tons per hectare for poor soils. It can be used as base manure or applied after transplanting, depending on the crop's cultivation practices.
Soil-Specific Considerations: Fertilizer application should account for nutrient recovery rates, soil natural fertility, and organic matter content. Soil analyses are essential to tailor application rates to specific farms or regions with similar soil types.