Eden Groups Eco Farms (Pvt) Ltd, a startup founded by two brothers, is stepping up to revolutionize the country’s poultry feed sector to address shortages in raw materials, by using nutrition-rich larvae from Black Soldier Flies (BSF) and alternative animal feed technologies to address shortages in poultry feed raw materials.
This innovative initiative is supported by the Green Innovation Challenge by HackaDev, an overarching programme led by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Sri Lanka, and their incubation partner, Curve Up (Pvt) Ltd, a consultancy focused on ed-tech and community empowerment.
Traditionally, poultry feed comprises a blend of grains, proteins, and other nutrients. However, scarcities in these resources have posed challenges in meeting poultry farm demands in Sri Lanka. The founding duo hopes to leverage alternative feed sources to establish a market for derived products, such as high-protein powder from BSF larvae, which offers a more sustainable and cost-effective source of protein and essential nutrients for poultry.
Following the program’s inauguration, Curve Up went onto host a comprehensive intro session to the HackaDev program and facilitated workshops and one-on-one coaching sessions for its participants. A milestone plan was drawn up and reviewed by green-tech expert Hasanka Padukka with the relevant guidance from implementing partners, Eden Groups commenced their work equipped with this new knowledge.
The initial phase included workshops led by legal professionals and formal incorporation procedures, and other activities focused on marketing and finance including branding, public relations, and sustainable packaging during the latter stages. The team at Eden Groups went on to comprehensively study the market including product analysis and value addition, and examined other aspects such as production processes including feed conversion, and the utilization of dried live feed in the livestock industry both at home and abroad, and other support services such as storage and packaging.
The team also investigated the optimal conversion ratio of waste raw material by larvae and determined the appropriate quantity of BSF needed for optimal larval growth. The team then performed a comprehensive data analysis and prepared a detailed report highlighting key findings, trends, and insights. Prof. Chaminda Walpita from the Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka shared his extensive knowledge of the mechanisms of BSF live feed, dried feed, and frass as fertilizer.
Following this, the team designed an infrastructure plan for the production unit, and with the assistance of industry experts Mr. Mahendra Peris and Prof. Walpita, they were able to successfully retrieve larvae and eggs for their system. The team set up a well-designed BSF love-cage system to facilitate efficient egg harvesting, ensuring optimal conditions for egg laying and subsequent larval development, including a breeding cage, BSFL feeding shelter, and storage room.
The team further designated a section within the cage by constructing a cement tank, as opposed to using barrels, to serve as a larvae feeding shelter or harvest room, placing a layer of suitable food waste or organic matter, such as kitchen scraps or agricultural byproducts, to ensure a continuous supply of food to sustain the larvae throughout their growth stages. Following this, the team placed the BSF eggs to hatch, facilitating the active study of larvae development.
Investments also went on to develop essential machinery and equipment for production, including a crushing machine, drying equipment, and an electric scale for precise measurements. To ensure the safety of workers and visitors, the team procured PPE gloves, masks, and goggles for handling larvae, waste, frass, and other materials.
With this transformative approach, Eden Groups Eco Farms (Pvt) Ltd will go onto not only address the poultry feed scarcity but also paving the way for a more sustainable future in the livestock industry of Sri Lanka, and subsequently also to global markets.