On the roof of the Madagascar Biodiversity Center in the capital city of Antananarivo is a hut, nicknamed the “Love Shack.” Inside are mating black soldier flies.
The larvae of these bugs are rich in protein and lipids, prompting researchers and the development sector in the country to see them as a potential solution to reduce malnutrition, ease pressure on forests, and improve access to affordable organic fertilizers.
It’s a tall order for such a small creature. But these soldiers have a lot of good qualities. And while they aren’t a replacement for all livestock, they are much easier to farm on a small scale, and they convert low-value organic residues into biomass that can be used as fertilizer or high-quality protein for feeding farm animals.
About the author
Sara Jervingsarajerving
Sara Jerving is a Senior Reporter at Devex, where she covers global health. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, The Wall Street Journal, VICE News, and Bloomberg News among others. Sara holds a master's degree from Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism where she was a Lorana Sullivan fellow. She was a finalist for One World Media's Digital Media Award in 2021; a finalist for the Livingston Award for Young Journalists in 2018; and she was part of a VICE News Tonight on HBO team that received an Emmy nomination in 2018. She received the Philip Greer Memorial Award from Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism in 2014.