Commercially manufactured feeds are too expensive for fish farmers in Tanzania. An estimated 76% resort to making their own feed in small batches from local ingredients. The resulting feed is nutritionally inadequate since farmers do not have the right knowledge, ingredients or equipment. The result is slower growing, smaller fish, which diminishes farmers’ potential returns. Meanwhile, markets in Dar es Salaam produce as much as 4,200 tonnes of waste every day, which could be converted to high protein fish feed, but instead goes to landfill

NovFeed converts food market waste to high protein feed and organic fertiliser with the help of black soldier flies, crickets and worms. The resulting insect-based product is an alternative to the soy and fishmeal that is used in producing commercial fish food. Black soldier flies and their larvae break down the organic waste and the maggots can be converted into high-protein fish food. The by-product can be converted into compost, with the help of worms. In collaboration with local universities and research institutions, NovFeed is conducting trials of their fish feed, laboratory tests on fertiliser formulae, and is exploring further use of crickets in their process. They reach their fish-farmer customers through KCG Aquatec, a consultancy that provides guidance and technical assistance to farmers. The Tanzanian government has also provided them with office space to operate for the next two years. NovFeed’s team is also reviewing their model to empower women to collect organic waste, especially from marketplaces and restaurants. As part of the next phase of their development, they are exploring how to collect household waste and address the harder challenges of unsegregated waste.

This case study has been created as part of Footprints Africa's work to build the first ever comprehensive mapping of circular economy initiatives in Africa. This will lay the foundation open-source database that can inspire local initiatives, as well as inform the global dialogue, which is largely focused on the European and American contexts. We are doing this in collaboration with the African Circular Economy Network (ACEN). ACEN's vision is to build a restorative African economy that generates well-being and prosperity inclusive of all its people through new forms of economic production and consumption which maintain and regenerate its environmental resources.

The objective is to build an open-source database featuring 500 cases by the end of 2021, with strong regional representation. These will feature in the Knowledge Hub and are also being mapped by GRID-Arendal.