INSECT FARM
An insect farm is an area intended for the breeding, reproduction and fattening of insects. This process is used for various purposes, such as flour, production of animal feed. Another growing purpose is human nutrition, which is known as “entomophagy.” These insect farms are small places in contrast to other animal farms. Instead of requiring large areas of land and warehouses, insect farms can be set up for self-production (Technological Transfer) or from 70 m2 onwards (Technological Transfer or turnkey). At Proteinsecta we have more than 12 years of breeding and fattening a multitude of insect species. Currently we only advise on Mosca Soldado Negra and Tenebrio Molitor. This decision has been made based on such important criteria as:
- Return of investment
- Conversion rates
- Products and by-products capable of valorizing
- Possibility of pathogens
- Short production cycles
INSECT FARMS AS A BUSINESS
How to set up an insect farm?
Insect farms are one of the businesses with the greatest potential for development in this decade. The search for new, more ecological food alternatives for animals and humans has increased. An alternative is needed but without giving up the nutritional contribution that other food sources, such as meat and fish, provide us.
Insect farms are revolutionizing the livestock sector due to the great business potential they promise. These business models are being developed and implemented in countries such as Belgium, Holland and Canada.
The success of these businesses is based on two fundamental pillars:
- The breadth of sectors for commercialization: hatcheries, livestock sector and human food
- Low production and maintenance costs for insect farms, which represents profitability in the short-medium term, depending on the size of the farm.
This sector is already a reality in Spain, and at Proteinsecta we are proud to have contributed to it. That's why we ask you a question: Do you want to be part of this growing sector?
HOW TO RAISE INSECTS?
Toset up an MSN or T.M. farm you will need a lot of information to assess your fit in this sector. At Proteinsecta we have developed the Proteinsecta Method, from which we carry out an active process of accompaniment through the different phases of creating an insect farm.
At Proteinsecta we accompany you from the assembly of the installation to the selection of the species and the breeding process. You will have a team of professionals that has been researching insect breeding since 2011. In addition, you will receive a Breeding Manual for the chosen species, prepared exclusively by our team at Proteinsecta. This guide shows you all the steps to undertake in theprocess of reproduction, breeding and fattening of the chosen species.
HOW TO SET UP AN INSECT FARM?
More than 12 years of research support us as specialists in advising on the creation of insect farms.
During all this time, at Proteinsecta we have investigated new ways of breeding and fattening insects for industrial application and exploitation as a business.
This way, from the moment you decide to take the leap, you will have our team of specialists at your disposal. We will guide you in all the necessary aspects, technical details and processes to be carried out.
DO YOU WANT TO SET UP AN INSECT FARM?
At Proteinsecta we put at your disposal this Video Consultancy lasting more than 3 hours. You will learn everything necessary from a legal or regulatory, economic (viability) and clients (potential markets) point of view.
To resolve any questions that may have arisen in the Video Consultancy, you will have access to a 1.5-hour video call tutorial. In it you can resolve your doubts with one of our technicians.
THE INSECT FARM: STEP BY STEP
The starting point is always the same: an area equipped for the insect farm.
Its characteristics must meet the controlled light, temperature and humidity conditions appropriate to the species intended for breeding.
Another aspect that we must take into account is food. At Proteinsecta we will tell you what type of foods are optimal so that their diet is healthy and they develop optimally.
HIGH DEMAND FOR INSECT FARMS AND GROWTH PROSPECT
There is a great demand for live food, such as tenebrio or fly larvae, used for animal feeding. It is in high demand in livestock sectors such as aquaculture and poultry, as well as breeders of reptiles and exotic animals.
The fact that its nutritional composition is mostly rich in protein and low in fat places it in the correct ideal dietary balance.
However, although there is an increase in the supply of live insects with the creation of insect farms, it is interesting to focus on feed for aquaculture, poultry, etc...
APORTE NUTRICIONAL DE LOS INSECTOS
We must mainly mention the insect species of Coleoptera or beetles. Specimens such as the mealworm, Zophoba Morio and the buffalo worm offer 50% protein in their larval phase. As we can see, it is a nutritional contribution that is very rich in protein and low in fat, the basis of a healthy diet.
WHY ARE INSECTS RECOMMENDED FOR HUMAN FOOD?
As we know, food is a cultural issue. Foods that we consume in our country are seen by others as strange and even unappetizing. The fact that in Spain we consume shrimp or snails is a cultural gastronomic phenomenon, associated with our usual recipes. However, if we go to Mexico, the most representative dishes of their diet vary from us, and may seem strange to us. And the same goes for Mexicans with our diet.
Entomophagy or insect feeding is practiced in countries in Asia, Africa, Australia and Latin America as part of their usual diet.
Regarding protein production, it has been proven that the insect produces 20% more than, for example, the cow.
SUSTAINABLE, ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY FARMS
Insect farms have a double “eco” function:
- An ecological function. Raising insects reduces the polluting effect exerted by the livestock industry. This is achieved by avoiding the emission of greenhouse gases.
- An economic function. It is possible due to the low production cost. It also represents a business opportunity, since these insects are sold on the market for different purposes that we will discuss below.
The reason is that insects are a rich source of protein, making them an optimal nutritional food for both animal and human consumption. In fact, it is increasingly being replaced by fishmeal used in the production of aquaculture feed.
The market that is developing around insect farms has brought exponential growth with great impact on livestock farming and Pet Food.
COMPARISON WITH OTHER LIVESTOCK FARMINGS
There are some key points to highlight in insect breeding:
Low water consumption, since insects obtain hydration from the food they eat (vegetables). In this way, we can say that when raising insects we need less water consumption than when raising other livestock species. And this, as we know, translates into cost savings. Low emission of greenhouse gases. In contrast to pig, beef, cattle and sheep farms, insects produce less methane (CH4), carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrous oxide (N2O).
An example: a kilo of worms emits 10 to 100 times less greenhouse effect than 1 kilo of pork. So, with insect farms, we also contribute to taking care of our planet Earth. Less food, since insects need 2 kilos of food to produce 1 kilo of insect.
On animal farms, the feed required far exceeds this ratio. Another reason to opt for an insect farm is savings, since raising insects requires less food. Excrement with high biodegradability compared to that produced by pigs, cows and birds. In fact, insect excrement is also rich in nitrogen and can in turn be used as fertilizer.
DO YOU WANT TO SET UP YOUR OWN INSECT FARM?
At Proteinsecta we put at your disposal this Video Consultancy lasting more than 3 hours to know everything necessary from a legal or regulatory, economic (viability) and clients (potential markets) point of view.
To resolve any questions that may have arisen in the Video Consultancy, you will have access to a 1.5-hour video call tutorial with one of our technicians.