The global agri-food system faces critical sustainability challenges linked with land degradation, deforestation, water depletion, climate change, biodiversity loss, and food insecurity. Agriculture contributes to one-third of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, largely driven by food waste, deforestation, changes in land practices and enteric fermentation. Food waste alone contributes 10% of total GHG emissions worldwide from decomposing organic matter in the landfill. 

The food waste is largely driven by post-harvest at the supply chain, at the retailer level and in households. According to the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), each year, about 17% of the global food is discarded and not utilised. The scope of this waste is breathtaking: globally, 1.05 billion tonnes of food waste were generated in 2022, translating to 132 kg per capita. 

The environmental toll extends beyond carbon emissions, encompassing land degradation, deforestation, water depletion, climate change, and biodiversity loss – creating a cascade of interconnected crises that demand immediate, innovative solutions. 

India's Food Waste Paradox: Abundance amidst Hunger
India presents a particularly stark example of this global challenge. Despite producing sufficient food to meet its population's needs, the country faces the paradox of massive food waste alongside widespread hunger. Indian households alone discard 78.2 million tonnes of food annually – an amount that could feed approximately 377 million people. At 55 kg per capita annually, India's household food waste, while lower than the global average of 121 kg per capita, still represents an enormous loss of resources. 

The food service sector in India contributes 11.9 million tonnes of food waste annually, bringing the nation's total food waste to approximately 90 million tonnes, according to the UN Environment Programme's Food Waste Index Report. 

There is a critical need to address food wastage at the household and country levels. India faces particularly acute challenges in the context of rising population and is expected to exceed 1.6 billion before stabilization around 2030; food demand is projected to surge to approximately 400 million tonnes by 2050. This dramatic escalation in demand, coupled with India's annual food waste, creates a perfect storm of inefficiency that dissipates natural resources on an unprecedented scale. 

Food waste management involves sustainable practices such as composting and vermicomposting that convert organic material into nutrient-rich soil, biogas production through anaerobic digestion that generates renewable energy, waste-to-energy plants (WtE) that convert waste into electricity and heat, food recovery and redistribution systems that redirect surplus food to reduce hunger and waste, circular economy approaches that repurpose waste into higher-value products, and insect farming like Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) that efficiently transforms organic waste into protein-rich biomass and fertilizer, embodying a regenerative, resource-efficient model.

Among these, BSF farming is gaining international recognition from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) for its dual environmental and economic benefits

Why Black Soldier Fly Leads the Way
Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) is a beneficial insect species popularised in the Sub-Saharan Africa region to create a sustainable alternative feed for aquaculture and animals. It has gained more momentum after it showed the effectiveness in converting food waste into nutrient-dense fertiliser biomass. BSF larvae, rich in protein and other nutrients, consume a wide range of organic substrate—food waste (fruits & vegetables), plant residues, animal manure and agricultural byproducts and serve as protein and fat-rich feed for animals.
 
Unlike other insects, BSF adults are simple to rear and manage as the adults do not feed; they only live to reproduce and multiply. The shred of evidence reported that BSF larvae can consume up to 500 mg substrate per day, depending on different factors. The overcrowding is a major issue hindering the growth of the colony, applying 1–1.4 larvae/cm² as larval density, registered lower productivity compared to other research with higher larval densities (5 larvae/cm². 100 mg/larva/day of chicken feed ensured larval growth and high organic matter degradation. 
 
Not Just Insects — Nutritional Gold
The nutrient composition of dried BSF larvae is highly nutritious, rich in 35-65% (dry weight protein), 20-40% (fat), high-quality amino acids and other micronutrients. In the process of degrading waste, BSFL converts organic waste, thereby controlling harmful bacteria (such as Salmonella and Escherichia coli) and pests, and is also used in pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries, and various animal feeds (mainly pets, pigs and poultry). They also reduce reliance on resource-intensive soymeal and fishmeal, thereby alleviating pressure on arable land and marine ecosystems.

Building a Circular Future with BSF
BSF farming presents exceptional scalability opportunities for India's diverse agricultural landscape. The global BSF market is projected to reach $3.96 billion by 2033 with a compound annual growth rate of 31%, driven by increasing demand for sustainable protein alternatives in aquaculture and pet food industries. The benefit-cost ratio (BCR) for small-scale BSF farming reaches approximately 10:1, compared to 2.7:1 for commercial operations, demonstrating superior economic efficiency at smaller scales perfectly suited to India's 86% smallholder farmer population. Evidence of BSF frass application results in 17% increase in plant yield and 16% increase in soil biological activity compared to unamended controls. BSF farming offers exceptional environmental advantages including 90% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional disposal methods, minimal water requirements (obtained through diet), and land use reduction of 50-90% compared to conventional livestock. The technology also provides antimicrobial properties and helps deter disease vectors while processing organic waste. BSF systems achieve carbon sequestration efficiency of 62.6 tonnes CO₂ per 1000 metric tons of feed processed compared to anaerobic digestion, while simultaneously producing valuable protein. The technology reduces greenhouse gas emissions by up to 90% compared to landfill disposal while creating sustainable revenue streams.

Conclusion: A Paradigm Shift toward Regenerative Systems
Black Soldier Fly farming represents more than an innovative waste management technology – it embodies a fundamental paradigm shift toward regenerative systems that transform environmental challenges into economic opportunities. For India, with its massive food waste crisis and growing population pressures, BSF technology offers a scalable, economically viable solution that addresses multiple sustainability challenges simultaneously. 

The convergence of environmental necessity, economic opportunity, and technological feasibility creates an unprecedented window for BSF adoption. With proper policy support, investment in infrastructure and training, and market development initiatives, India can establish itself as a global leader in sustainable protein production while solving its food waste crisis. 

The transformation of 78 million tonnes of annual food waste into valuable protein and soil amendments represents not just environmental remediation but economic empowerment for millions of farmers and entrepreneurs. As the global community intensifies efforts toward sustainable development goals, BSF farming emerges as a critical technology for achieving climate resilience, food security, and circular economy objectives. 

The question is not whether BSF farming will revolutionize waste management and protein production, but how quickly we can scale this transformative technology to meet our planet's urgent sustainability needs. India, with its vast agricultural sector and enormous waste streams, possesses the perfect conditions to lead this revolution, transforming waste into wealth while building a more resilient and sustainable food system for future generations.

Dr. Riya Thakur is a Research Associate, and Prof. Harpinder Sandhu is Distinguished Fellow, at Pahle India Foundation, a policy think-tank based in New Delhi.

Photo Credit: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:A_black_soldier_fly_%28Hermetia_illucens%29_on_a_crape_jasmime_leaf.jpg