With insect farming gaining recognition as a “game-changer” in sustainable food production, the sector has become the fastest-growing sustainable protein industry in the EU, says International Platform of Insects for Food and Feed second VP Antonine Hubert.

With more than €1.5-billion invested in EU insect-producing companies, insect farming is contributing to thousands of green jobs, proving its significance in the global economy.

Insect farming in Africa presents an opportunity to create more sustainable food sources, says Cape Town-based agri-tech company Maltento CEO Dean Smorenburg.

“By rearing insects like black soldier flies (BSF), we are able to convert organic waste into high-value products such as animal feed and fertilizers, reducing environmental impact and promoting circular economic practices - not just on our continent, but globally too,” he says.

Despite its rapid growth, insect farming faces criticism, with recent research pointing to challenges in the industry, particularly concerning sustainability.

Smorenburg acknowledges that some farms still rely on expensive, high-quality feed inputs rather than food waste.

“These critiques are valid,” Smorenburg says, but “every industry faces growing pains. Insect farming is still evolving, and with the right innovations, we can overcome these challenges.”

He highlights Maltento’s forward-thinking approach, which resulted in the establishment of a sustainable business model.

“At Maltento, we don’t just extract protein from insects. We use food waste as feed, produce frass for soil enhancement, and develop products like pet food palatability enhancers. Our focus is on utilising every by-product, demonstrating that insect farming can be far more than a single protein source,” says Smorenburg.

In a media release, Maltento underscores the environmental benefits of BSF products.

The company cites research by Protix, a Netherlands-based insect farming company, which found that its insect meal reduces CO₂ emissions by 78% compared with poultry meal, and their insect fat requires 99.9% less land than coconut oil.

"These findings show that insect farming can lead the way in sustainable food systems, reducing our reliance on traditional protein sources,” says Smorenburg.

Africa, in particular, presents an opportunity in this regard.  With abundant food waste streams from industries like beer production and bread milling, the region has the potential to become a leader in sustainable insect farming, diverting hundreds of thousands of kilograms of food waste from landfills and creating a circular economy.

Maltento notes that the future of insect farming lies in adopting a diversified business model that leverages the full potential of insects, not just for protein. By embracing these solutions, the insect farming industry can overcome its current challenges and play a crucial role in building a sustainable food system.

“We must invest in research and development to explore insect biotechnology's full potential. With the right focus on sustainability, insect farming will drive positive change for future generations, both in Africa and globally,” Smorenburg concludes.