Applied Entomology: Insect Breeding for Feed, Fertilizer, and Biocontrol — The Future Has Arrived

Applied entomology — breeding insects for animal feed, fertilizer, and biocontrol — is the fastest-growing segment of the global agribusiness. The black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) is the insect with the greatest potential: its larvae convert organic waste into 40% protein in 10 to 14 days, producing high-value meal for chicken, fish, and shrimp feed.

The global market for insects for animal feed is worth $4 billion in 2024 and will grow to $12 billion by 2030. In Brazil, MAPA published regulations authorizing insect meal in animal feed (IN 44/2021) — legally opening a market that is expected to grow R$ 500 million over the next 5 years in the country.

When insect farming is structured with guaranteed waste flow and certified meal processing, this segment can significantly contribute to job and income generation in Brazil.

Join our strategic actions to implement the best solutions in the Brazilian agricultural sector. Our activities, studies, and advanced research cover 20 chains and 255 segments of the national agribusiness — from the grain chain to sustainable extraction, including horticulture, fruit growing, livestock, and much more.

The Innovation For Brazil to Produce More series was developed precisely to identify and implement the best solutions available in Brazil and worldwide across the 255 segments of the agricultural sector — with accessible technical language, updated data, and a focus on practical results for producers, suppliers, governments, and marketers.

1.  Opportunities for Small Rural Producers

How to structure an insect biofactory for feed and fertilizer

The Hermetia illucens biofactory starts with a colony of adults in a laying cage — females lay 500 to 700 eggs near organic substrate. The larvae develop in 10 to 14 days, consuming the substrate and producing frass (fertilizer) and protein biomass.

✔    Black soldier fly (H. illucens) — most efficient species for waste processing

✔    Substrate: fruits, vegetables, chicken bedding, pulp — low-cost waste

✔    14-day cycle — harvest of prepupal larvae

✔    Frass (excrement) — high-quality organic fertilizer

✔    IN MAPA 44/2021 — legal authorization for insect meal in feed

The E-Book 01 — Strategic Manual for Small Rural Producers presents, in detail, the best solutions for this segment and the other 254 of Brazilian agribusiness — focusing on method, cost reduction, and progressive growth from Agro 1.0 to Agro 6.0. Access now for BRL 99.00 →

2.  Opportunities for Micro and Small Local Suppliers

What equipment does the insect biofactory require

The insect biofactory requires laying cages, driers, and flour mills — all developed by specialized national and international companies.

Solutions by area of engineering applied to the segment

Our activities, studies, and advanced research cover six major areas of engineering — and the chain requires solutions in all of them:

Electrical Engineering and Computing — control of temperature and humidity in the biofactory;

Electronic Engineering and IoT — ammonia, temperature, and humidity sensors;

Control and Automation Engineering — automated feeding and harvesting lines;

Mechatronics and Robotics Engineering — larva dryers and mills for flour;

Renewable Energy Engineering — bioenergy from waste for the energy of the biofactory;

Data Science and Artificial Intelligence — cycle management; substrate optimization.

✔    Black soldier fly laying cages

✔    Larva dryers for flour

✔    Insect flour mills

✔    Certification IN MAPA 44/2021

✔    Consulting in insect biofactory

The E-Book 02 — Strategic Guide for Micro and Small Local Suppliers maps, segment by segment, business opportunities — focusing on IoT, energy, automation, and specialized technical services. Access now for BRL 99.00 →

3.  Opportunities for Municipal Governments

How the municipality can support biofactories and create a circular economy cycle

The insect biofactory is the most efficient solution for treating organic waste while generating income — and the municipality that supports biofactories creates real circular economy with a high-value product.

✔    Municipal biofactory for organic waste from markets and restaurants

✔    Municipal IDM: organic waste processed by insects

✔    Partnership with feed mills for local insect meal

✔    Biocontrol program with insects for organic horticulture

✔    School biofactory as an environmental education project

The E-Book 03 — Reference Guide for Municipal Governments presents a step-by-step guide for secretaries and municipal managers to implement effective public policies for the 255 segments of agribusiness. Access now for BRL 99.00 →

4.  Opportunities for Small Agribusiness Retailers

How insects generate business for the feed, fertilizer, and biocontrol industries

The black soldier fly meal with 40% protein has a production cost 30 to 40% lower than conventional fish meal and permanent availability — regardless of harvest or fishing. The feed factory that replaces 10% of fish meal with insect meal reduces cost and increases sustainability.

The frass of the black soldier fly — the excrement of the larvae — is a high-nutrient organic fertilizer with growing demand in organic horticulture. A biofactory processing 1 ton of waste per day produces 500 kg of frass valued at R$ 1,000 to R$ 3,000.

Products with high commercial potential

The main products derived from this segment for local retail and food service:

Insect meal for animal feed — 40% protein; IN 44/2021;

Frass as organic fertilizer — high demand in horticulture;

Larva oil for biodiesel — high-yield lipid;

Larvae for fish feed — premium aquaculture;

Insects for biocontrol — biological pest control;

Consulting in insect biofactory — high-growth service.

Profiles of retailers and their specific opportunities

✔    Feed mills: certified insect meal

✔    Fish farmers: live larvae for fish feed

✔    Organic horticulturists: frass as premium fertilizer

✔    Biodiesel plants: larva oil as raw material

✔    Municipalities: biofactory for waste treatment

✔    Entomology startups: insect breeding technology

Growth strategies for the local retailer

The biofactory that enters into a contract with a slaughterhouse or supermarket for organic waste has raw material at a negative cost (the supplier pays to dispose) and produces protein meal and frass fertilizer — two high-value products from waste that would otherwise cost money to dispose of.

BNDES and Finep support innovation in insects. Pronampe finances biofactories. SEBRAE subsidizes training and certification.

The E-Book 04 — Strategic Guide for Small Agribusiness Retailers maps 30 retailer profiles and details the growth opportunities across all 255 segments of agribusiness. Access now for BRL 99.00 →

Innovation and Technology Network

By purchasing any e-book from the series, you become a member of our Innovation and Technology Network. Groups of 30 members will be able to organize and fund in-person strategic planning events to identify and implement the best solutions available in Brazil and worldwide.

✔    Small Rural Producers

✔    Micro and Small Supplying Companies

✔    Municipal Governments

✔    Small Agribusiness Retailers

⭐  Special offer: I will provide 100% discount on the value of my working hours for the 10 pioneer events organized by 11/30/26 and held in December 2026. Therefore, the 10 pioneer groups will only cover the general expenses.

Best regards,

Ivo Alves

CEO · Master in Electrical Engineering and Computing · Specialist in Innovation and Technology Project Management

Instructor: IFPB and UFRN  ·  38 years of experience in Engineering