PABNA: Shimul Hossain of Parsidhai village in Atgharia, Pabna, once considered a failure, has become an inspiration by farming Black Soldier Fly (BSF) larvae. In just four years, he has paid off a BDT 1.6 million debt using this unconventional venture. Shimul now runs two new farms in his home area and Cox's Bazar, earning a net monthly income of BDT 1.5 to 2 lakh.
The entrepreneur explained his unique project: "The Black Soldier Fly is essentially a type of fly larva, slightly longer than a common housefly. It feeds on garbage, poultry waste, hotel leftovers, and foul-smelling debris. BSF is the future alternative to conventional fish and poultry feed due to its lower cost, high nutritional value, and significant contribution to maintaining environmental balance."
Shimul’s journey began with a fashion design diploma and a short-lived job in Dhaka, but his heart was set on agriculture. Returning home in 2018, he started duck farming, which quickly landed him in BDT 1.8 million debt. Inspired by YouTube videos, he trained at Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) on BSF farming. With subsequent training and loans from the local NGO Program for Community Development (PCD), Shimul’s fortunes turned around within three years.
He now produces 300 kg of BSF larvae daily, valued at BDT 72,000 at a market price of BDT 80 per kg. He sells his larvae to local markets and Dhaka-based traders. His success has allowed him to establish a large farm in Cox's Bazar worth approximately BDT 3 million.
"Locals used to call me crazy for farming insects," Shimul told reporters, adding that he has recently exported BSF breeder pupae to India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Pakistan, where entrepreneurs have set up their own farms. He aims to become South Asia’s best Black Soldier Fly entrepreneur.
Pabna District Fisheries Officer, Deepak Kumar, highlighted the superior quality of the BSF: “Conventional fish and poultry feed packets contain a maximum of 33% protein. Black Soldier Fly, however, contains 43% to 55% protein, making it increasingly popular. The production cost is only BDT 10-12 per kg, while the market price ranges from BDT 50 to BDT 80 per kg.”
Md. Shafiqul Alam, Executive Director of PCD, praised Shimul's success, stating that he is now a "nationally acclaimed Black Soldier Fly producer." He emphasized that supporting such entrepreneurs will strengthen the future rural economy.
Experts believe BSF will be a boon for the fisheries and poultry industries, as feeding the protein-rich larvae can boost production at a lower cost, while also yielding high-quality fertilizer and contributing to biotechnology and environmental conservation.
