ICAR-CIBA is partnering with Insectika Biotech Pvt. Ltd., Bhubaneswar, Odisha for the consultancy services and collaborative research towards using Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) (BSF) meal for aquaculture feed formulation. Through this memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed on 11th Aug 2023 to explore the possibilities of using BSF meal as a sustainable substitute for fish meal and soybean. Ms. Insectika Biotech Pvt. Ltd., is a startup aims at providing sustainable and scalable proteins for aquaculture feed formulations.
It is envisioned to use the remarkable nutrient-recycling capacity of the BSF to convert the restaurant/kitchen waste to high-quality protein in a short production time. The novel bioreactor used in the culture would result in harvesting the BSF larvae at the earliest day and producing significant amount of protein and fat in a shorter period of time compared to other BSF larvae production system in India.
Dr.Kuldeep K Lal, Director, CIBA, underlined that BSF is a buzz word in today’s context and this effort will undoubtedly provide a cost-effective alternative protein source to the fish meal and there is a scope to optimise the cost of the BSF larvae so that it can find its roots in aqua feed formulations.
Mr. Arun Kumar Das, CEO, Insectika Biotech Pvt. Ltd., explained the genesis of the Insectika firm and gave detailed plans for cost-effective production and scaling-up the BSF meal production using the novel bioreactor.
Dr K. Ambasankar, Principal Scientist and team leader for the feed technology, briefed about the significance of this MoU and outlined scope of its use in aquaculture feed production sector.
The event was organized by the Institute Technology Management Unit (ITMU) CIBA, and SIC, ITMU, Dr. P.K. Patil expressed the vote of thanks.
