Cheaper animal feed, less food waste: How Greensect is pioneering insect farming in Bangladesh
Two Italian entrepreneurs are tackling Bangladesh’s agricultural challenges with an innovative insect farming business that repurposes food waste into eco-friendly, high-protein animal feed
In Bangladesh, farmers face an unrelenting problem, the high cost of animal feed. This expense significantly raises farm production costs, which are eventually passed on to consumers in the form of higher retail prices.
Amidst these challenges, Italian entrepreneurs Ludovico Massari and Stefano Murdaca are spearheading an innovative solution — Greensect, Bangladesh's first commercial-scale insect farming company. With an ambitious goal to help farmers reduce costs while promoting environmental sustainability, it is breaking new ground in Bangladesh by breeding insects that are processed into high-protein animal feed.
This groundbreaking approach, though still relatively new in Bangladesh, is thriving in countries like China and Thailand. Thailand alone has around 20,000 insect farms that produce crickets, palm weevils and other insects, primarily for animal feed and human consumption.
Greensect, however, focuses on a unique species with tremendous potential — the black soldier fly (BSF). Known for its high protein content, BSF is an ideal candidate for sustainable feed production.
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"We chose black soldier flies because they can transform food waste into valuable protein at a speed and efficiency that few organisms can match," Murdaca explained.
A new vision for sustainable agriculture
Massari and Murdaca's journey began with a shared vision to address pressing ecological and nutritional challenges. During his brush with research on environmental biology, Massari, who has a background in Marketing, recognised the potential of insects in reducing the environmental footprint of livestock feed production.
"Insects offer a low-footprint, high-protein solution to the ever-growing demand for livestock feed," Massari explained. "They require far less land, water and feed than traditional protein sources and can thrive on organic waste, creating a near-zero waste loop."
Murdaca, who comes from a finance background, has a keen eye for innovation and a passion for sustainable development. Together, the duo envisioned a company that would not only support Bangladesh's agricultural needs but also promote a sustainable food system.
Their decision to launch Greensect in Bangladesh was strategic. Bangladesh has one of the highest levels of food wastage per capita — approximately 82 kilograms per year, according to the United Nations Environment Programme's (UNEP) 2024 Food Waste Index Report.
Greensect's mission to repurpose this waste into animal feed addresses both food security and environmental sustainability.
The eco-friendly power of insects
Why insects? Aside from their efficiency, insects offer a range of benefits over traditional livestock feed ingredients like soy and fish meal. The production of these common feed ingredients requires extensive land and water resources and has a significant environmental impact.
"Insects offer a low-footprint, high-protein solution," Massari said, emphasising that they need far fewer resources. "Black soldier flies, for instance, can thrive on organic waste. This creates a sustainable, circular economy where waste is repurposed rather than discarded." This cycle not only reduces waste but also provides farmers with a high-quality feed that improves livestock health and growth.
When asked where they plan to sell their end products, both co-founders told The Business Standard that animal feed companies are showing a great deal of interest in both the product and the sector in general.
The climate in Bangladesh is particularly well-suited for black soldier flies, which thrive in warm, humid environments. "We do control the conditions inside our plant, but the natural conditions here are almost perfect for these insects," Massari noted, adding that this further reduces Greensect's energy needs.
Navigating challenges and changing perceptions
Starting an insect farm from scratch in Bangladesh, however, has not been without challenges. The team encountered several obstacles, from the logistical issues of collecting and processing food waste to public perceptions on insect farming.
"One of the biggest challenges we face is the collection of food waste. Although the per-unit cost is low, we need around three tonnes of waste daily to sustain our operations. This makes it one of our biggest expenses," Massari explained.
Perception was another significant hurdle. In a country where insect farming is still relatively unknown, convincing people of its benefits required extensive education and outreach. "Convincing people of the potential benefits of insect farming required education and transparency," Massari shared.
To bridge the gap, Greensect has been actively engaging with local communities, farmers and policymakers to highlight the environmental and economic advantages of insect-based feed.
Despite these challenges, Greensect has received encouraging feedback from farmers who have started using insect-based feed. Early results show promising outcomes, particularly for poultry and fish farmers, who report improvements in animal health and reduced feed costs. By creating this sustainable circular economy, Greensect is helping to reduce food waste while strengthening Bangladesh's food resilience.
Other operational challenges include power outages, which force Greensect to rely on generators, further increasing costs. And as the farm is located in Gazipur, near Dhaka, traffic is an ongoing challenge. "Traffic is such a hassle, but we're slowly adapting," he added.
Scaling up and expanding impact
With a clear mission, Massari and Murdaca are eager to expand Greensect's reach. They envision partnerships with agricultural stakeholders, universities and NGOs to spread the benefits of insect farming across Bangladesh.
Greensect is also collaborating with Sher-e-Bangla Agriculture University in Dhaka for further research and testing.
"We're already seeing the positive impact insect farming has on the environment and on food production," Murdaca shared. "We believe it's only the beginning."
Greensect's success also hints at future possibilities. While the company is currently focused on producing feed for animals, they're exploring insect-based protein as a potential human food source.
Although the concept is still emerging, the founders are optimistic. "With enough education and advocacy, insect-based protein could become an option for human consumption in the future," Murdaca suggested, noting the growing demand for sustainable protein sources worldwide.
Black soldier fly larvae produce an oil rich in nutrients like lauric and caprylic acids, which have several health benefits. This oil supports gut health, boosts immunity and aids digestion, suggesting a potential market for insect-derived health supplements in the future.
Furthermore, the byproducts of the process, such as frass (insect excrement), are also collected and processed into organic fertiliser. This waste, often rich in nutrients, supports soil health and serves as a valuable input for the agriculture industry.
