KENYA – Ecodudu, a Kenya-based waste-to-value company producing high-quality insect-based protein for animal feed and organic fertilizers from recycled organic matter, has commenced construction of its new rearing facility.
According to the startup, the new facility will be on an 8-acre site in one of the largest fruit farms in Kenya, producing mostly mangoes and avocados.
The new rearing center will be used to breed Black Solider Flies, as Ecodudu’s production processes leverage the larvae to convert food and organic waste into nutritious and protein-dense biomass.
The residues are subsequently processed into environmentally friendly and nutrient rich organic fertilizers, that meet the highest international standards.
Its production capacity will be approximately 16,800 tonnes annually of fruit waste and is scheduled to commence operations in August 2021.
“The farm is constantly looking for new sources of organic fertilizers while simultaneously looking for waste-management solutions for its ever-increasing amount of on-site generated organic waste.”
CEO and Co-Founder of Ecodudu – Adan Mohammed
The investment is as a response of the strong growth the company witnessed in 2020 and it will enable it to boost its production capacity to meet both current and projected demand.
CEO and Co-Founder of Ecodudu, Adan Mohammed, has highlighted that the site will primarily be used to produce the company’s main commercial products, Dudu Meal, an insect-based animal feed for aquaculture and other feed stocks, and Shamba Mix, an organic fertilizer.
Its proximity to the large fruit farm, is an added advantage for the agri-processor as it will have a direct access to large quantities of organic fruit waste, dramatically increasing production efficiency as well as minimize transport costs.
Some of the fertilizer produced will be utilized on the farm, thus creating a symbiotic relationship.
“The construction of the facility on the farm site is a win-win situation for both the farm and Ecodudu. The farm is constantly looking for new sources of organic fertilizers while simultaneously looking for waste-management solutions for its ever-increasing amount of on-site generated organic waste,” said Mr Mohammed.
The investment follows GreenTec Capital Patners, a German premium investor, backing Ecodudu after seeing great potential in alternative protein production solutions.
According to a report by Market and Markets, the global organic feed market size was valued at approximately US$ 6.8 billion in 2019 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.8% from 2019 to reach a value of US$ 10.1 billion by 2025.
The increasing instances of animal product contamination due to pesticides and insecticides, rising demand for organic food products, growing organic livestock farming, and adaption of organic farming practices by farmers due to the increasing health concerns among consumers are some of the key factors that are projected to drive the growth of the global organic feed market.
Developing countries in Africa, Asia Pacific and South American regions are projected to create lucrative growth opportunities for organic feed manufacturers in the coming years.
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