Lowell Scarr
Nambu Group
Following his PhD research into Black Soldier Flies (BSF), Lowell Scarr recognised the potential for these insects to address two significant challenges: food waste and unsustainable protein production (i.e. overfishing and intensive soya farming). His company, Nambu Group, uses simple equipment to convert food waste to larvae, which can be used as high protein animal feed amongst other uses. It has received funding and support from the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation, an organization that invests in people who exhibit entrepreneurial potential, and E Squared Investments.
Organic waste in the form of spoiled food, kitchen scraps and processing waste is used as a substrate for the growth of BSF larvae. The larvae consume the waste, and at maturity they are sieved from the substrate and sold either live or dried as high protein food for poultry, pigs, pets and fish. They can also be processed for other ingredients like oil and chitin. The remaining substrate is used as a nutrient rich soil amendment or natural fertiliser. Their approach makes use of equipment that is easy and affordable to source and maintain, and does not require a high level of skill to operate.
The Nambu Group provides employment for 23 people in the Eastern Cape Province. It also offers training to those who want to farm BSF, expanding the livelihood creating impact. As their approach is based on simple equipment that is easy to access, operate and maintain, it is more accessible to entrepreneurs with low financial means, and allows for the employment of those with lower skill levels.
Organic waste is diverted from landfill, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions from landfilling and saving landfill space. The use of BSF larvae as a source of protein and other useful products can replace alternatives like fish and soya meal, which require more land, water and other resources. The small footprint of the facilities allows them to be located closer to sources of waste, reducing transportation distances and associated greenhouse gas emissions.
