Hermetia illucens for a Green agriculture

Insects, sustainability, black soldierfly

3 years

Technology Readiness Level (TRL): 5-6

Introduction

The HiGa project aims to improve the EU protein self-sufficiency while enhancing organic fertilizer use and mitigating emissions. This is achieved via the inclusion of Hermetia illucens (HI) farming in the agro-food ecosystem and by doing so transforming it from a linear to a circular economy.

 

Including this new facet to the agri-food system recovers proteins from currently non-functional or underrated by-products and produces high quality animal protein, fat and fertilizer. Those can be used to feed fish and other animals or provide nutrients to crops. All while simultaneously reducing the environmental impact of farming in Europe.

Background

Current European agricultural production systems heavily depend on protein and fertilizer import to cover the nutritional needs of both animals and plants. This dependency increases the agri-food sector’s impact on climate change and reduces the European autonomy and renders them fragile and vulnerable to rapid disruptions of supply chains. The recent examples of the Corona virus pandemic or the Ukraine crisis reveal how sensitive the agricultural and food sectors of EU is against  global crises, (30). Therefore, the EU is urgently in search of efficient, viable and locally produced alternative and sustainable protein and fertilizer sources.

Main project activities

  • Improve the rearing of BSF by reducing the costs

  • Improve the rearing of BSF by improving the genetics

  • Improve the use of BSF protein in fish feed

  • Improve the use of BSF fat in dairy cows feed

  • Improve the use of frass (insect manure) in wheat and potatoes

  • Reduce the emissions from insect rearing

  • Calculate the impact on the economy and environment

Expected social impact

HiGa positively affects the society. Improving the production of results in a more sustainable, green and circular agro economy due to the nutrient recovery from by-products which results in locally produced proteins, fats and fertilizer. Measuring the GHG and ammonia emissions from insect production, frass use and cattle ensures that at least there is knowledge on when and where the emissions occur as well as potential reductions that are possible thereby reducing the influence of farming both globally (GHG) and regionally (ammonia). Improving the use of frass results in a reduction of (mineral) fertilizer use and therefore eutrophication of the soil and nearby waterways.

Implementation and plans to reach target groups

We will engage with, small scale, farmers in person via field days and open house days at Inagro. Furthermore, via the distribution of the newsletter of Inagro and the publication of articles in agricultural magazines. As members of IPIFF, the results will be shared with the broader EU insect industry. The results will be shared via conferences (notably EAAP) and research papers ensuring the information is distributed to other scientists.

Partners of the project

  • Inagro vzw, Belgium

    David Deruytter

    • University of Torino, Italy - Laura Gasco

    • University of Milan, Italy - Jacopo Bacenetti

    • Entoprime, Denmark - Anton Gligorescu

    • Aarhus University, Denmark - Jesper Givskov Sørensen

    • Flanders Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Belgium

    • Ministry of agriculture, food sovereignty and forestry (MASAF),  Italy

    • Green Development and Demonstration Programme (GUDP), Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries, Denmark