Khepri Biosciences

Breeding insects from abattoir waste to produce animal protein feed
2015 SEED South Africa Award; European Union,2015 SEED South Africa Award; Hisense
Waste Management
Mogale City
South Africa

The enterprise, at its first pilot site in Krugersdorp, collects abattoir and agricultural waste as input for the production of insect larvae, which, in turn, serve as raw material for protein-rich animal feed.

The product is cheaper than conventional feed based on fish meal, reducing the cost of animal farming. The enterprise also produces compost that is sold to farmers to organically improve yields.

Khepri Bioscience is reducing input costs for farmers, thus lowering the price of mainly fish, chicken meat and eggs, paving the way to improved food security in the region. Closing the loop between organic waste and farming, the enterprise diverts agricultural waste from landfills. As it offers an alternative source of protein feed to popular fish meal, it also reduces pressure on marine life.

Eco-Inclusive Impacts
Khepri Bioscience is reducing input costs for farmers, lowering the price of fish, chicken meat and eggs, paving the way to improved food security in the region. Closing the loop between organic waste and farming, the enterprise diverts agricultural waste from landfills.
  • Contributing to food security by lowering the cost of livestock farming, in turn lowering the cost of food for local communities.
  • Providing employment to women and youth from single or no income families, and ensuring women’s participation in management committees and Board of Directors via the use of quotas.
  • Introducing new green technologies and sustainable resource utilisation into the value chain of animal farming.
  • Diverting 70 tons of agricultural waste from landfill per day and protecting fresh-water sources from organic waste.
  • Preventing 15 tons of fish being converted into fishmeal every day at full pilot capacity.
  • Lowering financial barriers for emergent farmers to enter into animal production.
  • Stimulating local economies by creating a new industry that rural communities can participate in.
  • Establishing a monetary value for a product that would otherwise be unused problematic waste.

Partners

Khepri Bioscience is piloting the process of innovatively reusing abattoir waste to produce high quality, low cost animal feed. Contributing to lowering the price of farming animals and in turn the price of food, the enterprise is improving food security in the region while closing the loop between organic waste and farming, and creating jobs.

Khepri Innovations leads the bioconversion enterprise and is involved in the relationship development and management of the production sites.

The Centre for Science and Industry Research (CSIR) provides incubated companies with access to ready-to-use biomanufacturing facilities, research and development.

The Innovation Hub provides innovation support, business development and office facilities.

AfriGrow Development identifies communities that can participate in the outgrower model.

Technoserve will assist the enterprise in identifying potential buyers in the poultry and fish farming industry.