Starting a Black Soldier Fly farm is exciting. Keeping it running is where many farmers begin to face challenges.
At Ento Organic Farm, we have trained thousands of Black Soldier Fly farmers across Africa. Along the way, we noticed a common story. Farmers are eager to start, but many eventually feel overwhelmed by the daily work involved in managing a full Black Soldier Fly colony.
From hatching eggs and managing waste to feeding larvae and maintaining the colony, the workload can quickly become overwhelming, especially for farmers already managing crops, livestock, or other businesses.
That is why the Simplified Black Soldier Fly Farming Approach, better known as SIMBA, was developed.
What Is the SIMBA Approach?
SIMBA stands for Simplified Black Soldier Fly Farming Approach.
It is a practical Black Soldier Fly farming system developed to make insect farming easier for beginners and small-scale farmers.
Instead of managing every stage of the Black Soldier Fly life cycle, farmers begin with ready-to-rear hatchlings and follow a simple production schedule that fits into their normal farming routine.
The result is a system that is easier to manage, more efficient, and more sustainable.
Why SIMBA Matters
Many farmers want to produce their own affordable animal feed and organic fertilizer, but they do not have the time to manage a full Black Soldier Fly colony every day.
SIMBA removes that barrier. With this approach, you only need to work on your Black Soldier Fly project two days each week, spending about one to two hours on each working day.
That means you can continue managing your poultry, pigs, fish, crops, or other businesses while still producing valuable Black Soldier Fly products.
How the SIMBA Approach Works
The SIMBA system follows four simple steps.
Step 1. Choose a Schedule That Works for You
Before you begin, choose two days each week that fit your routine. For example, you might work on your project every Monday and Thursday.
Having a fixed schedule makes it easier to stay consistent without interrupting your other farm activities.
Step 2. Prepare Your Rearing Unit
Start with one kilogram of seven-day-old Black Soldier Fly hatchlings. Feed the hatchlings with a small amount of waste substrate for about three days.
Next, prepare your rearing boxes, crates, or containers by filling them with shredded and properly fermented organic waste.
Once the waste is ready, introduce the hatchlings into the prepared substrate. Proper waste preparation creates the right environment for healthy larval growth.
Step 3. Monitor the Larvae
As the larvae grow, monitor the batch according to the recommended schedule. Turn the waste occasionally to improve aeration and help the larvae reach any remaining food.
The key is not to disturb the larvae every day. Giving them time to grow naturally while following the recommended schedule helps achieve better results with less effort.
Step 4. Harvest and Add Value
After about ten to fourteen days, the larvae are fully grown and ready for harvest. Separate the larvae from the frass using a sieve or another suitable method.
You now have two valuable products. The first is high-protein Black Soldier Fly larvae, which can be fed directly to chickens, fish, and pigs or processed further for sale.
The second is the frass, a nutrient-rich organic fertilizer that supports healthier soils and stronger crop growth.
One farming cycle produces both animal feed and organic fertilizer from the same organic waste.
Less Waste. More Value
The SIMBA Approach is built around the idea that waste is not the end of the story.
Organic waste from homes, markets, restaurants, and farms can become a valuable resource instead of ending up in landfills.
Black Soldier Fly larvae convert that waste into nutritious protein for livestock, while the remaining frass becomes a natural fertilizer that improves soil health.
This creates a simple circular farming system that reduces waste, lowers production costs, and creates new income opportunities for farmers.
Who Is SIMBA Designed For?
- The SIMBA Approach is ideal for:
- Farmers with limited time
- Beginners starting Black Soldier Fly farming
- Small-scale farmers
- Poultry, pig, and fish farmers looking for affordable feed
- Crop farmers interested in organic fertilizer
- Youth and women looking for a practical green business
Whether you farm full time or part time, SIMBA makes Black Soldier Fly farming easier to manage.
A Smarter Way to Farm
Black Soldier Fly farming does not have to be complicated.
The SIMBA Approach proves that with the right system, farmers can produce quality larvae and organic fertilizer using less time, fewer resources, and less space.
By focusing on simplicity and practical routines, SIMBA allows more farmers to benefit from Black Soldier Fly farming.
If you have been thinking about starting a Black Soldier Fly project, there has never been a better time to begin.
Click this link to download the SIMBA production guides and watch the full training video below to learn how you can turn organic waste into high-value products with a system designed for real farmers and real farming conditions.
We gratefully acknowledge the Biomass Utilisation by Insects For Green Solutions In Africa (BUGSAFRICA) project, led by African Circular and Sustainable Waste-based Insect Farming Technologies (SWIFT) project, for developing this valuable resource.
