Our ADOPT project aims to improve efficiency in the poultry sector by integrating Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL) into broiler chicken diets, potentially reducing dependence on soya and enhancing productivity and sustainability. Preliminary studies suggest that domestically produced BSFL fed on fruit residues can reduce broiler feed conversion ratios (FCRs), improving productivity and profitability. The project will conduct trials at a commercial broiler farm, comparing control groups with various percentages of BSFL inclusion in diets. By measuring growth over time, feed consumption, end weight and calculating FCR improvements, the team will assess the environmental and economic feasibility of BSFL integration in the UK poultry sector. Results will be shared through case studies, updates, and talks at farmer events to provide practical insights for adoption across the UK and beyond. By using BSFL to convert organic fruit and vegetable residues into high-protein feed, this project promotes circular economy principles by reducing emissions associated with soya production and imports. This local sourcing of protein not only addresses UK food security goals, but it also offers economic resilience by mitigating risks related to global market volatility and supply chain disruptions.

Livestock protein demand is increasing due to human population growth, yet current production depends on unsustainable soy and fishmeal imports. Insects-as-feed is a rapidly emerging market. Our bottom-up market-sizing predicts a total output of 1M tonnes of insect protein/year by 2030\. UK food chains need a practical approach to black soldier fly (BSF) production in order to produce quality, affordable and sustainable protein. However, the industry currently lacks production knowledge, supply chain infrastructure and technology. While there are few technology suppliers, they are very expensive and the industry is not being guided effectively to make the right decision. To provide effective guidance and scalable solutions, this project, therefore, aims to test the feasibility for integrating black soldier fly (BSF) production within the existing food supply chain using the "hub-and-spoke" model, which is common in pig and poultry systems around the world. This will create circular food systems and improve the UK governments food waste hierarchy goals, by bio converting food waste into high quality livestock protein. The objectives for this project are to test the hub-and-spoke model with a single spoke on a chicken farm, to examine the barriers for adoption, refine the production capability for this approach and produce a qualitative report on the potential for scaling this out locally and nationally. The project will achieve the above actions by combining the expertise of Fly2Feed, Partons Poulet's Ltd, Rural Aquaculture Development, and the Haydn Green Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (HGI) at the University of Nottingham (UoN). This will strengthen the BSF hub-and-spoke model study, which will provide a platform to scale BSF farming in the UK. This increased production will have further economic and environmental benefits to the wider agribusiness sector through sustainable local production of protein, new jobs, and education. These benefits will in turn increase the efficiency and resilience of livestock feed and therefore address the challenge of cleanly feeding a growing population.