Project FlySpy aims to develop an automated counting device for insect farming. The device will use AI camera vision technology to improve precision and streamline operations. The project evaluates its performance and cost benefits to make insect farming more accessible and sustainable.

To compete with low-cost, low-welfare imports, UK production systems must continually enhance productivity, sustainability & resilience while addressing the current welfare issues. This project delivers a novel rapid intervention system that leverages an in-demand AI poultry monitoring software, and insect's remarkable capacity to encourage natural behaviour and improve welfare as a high-quality source of protein with antimicrobial peptides.

Insect bioconversion (IBC) refers to the utilisation of insects in converting organic biomass wastes (such as food wastes) into sustainable inputs for food, feed and non-food industries. Although core regulation in place currently in the UK allows for some forms of IBC to take place legally and compliantly, at present there remains a large gap in producers' abilities of to leverage the power of IBC to maximise organic biomass waste valorisation domestically. In particular, it is currently illegal to use many types of organic wastes, such as animal product containing food wastes or manures, to farm insects on -- even when the insect in question, such as maggots, thrive in such environments naturally. This project will seek to bring together producers, technologists, academics and regulators working in IBC, with the goal of further unlocking IBC use in the UK beyond existing practices, whilst ensuring safe and responsible practices.

The consortium aims to deliver the world's first nano-material enhanced Black Soldier Fly Larvae Meal (BSFLM), as well as to improve the growth performance and nutritional value of Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL) through the biofortification of a range of waste substrates they are fed on, some of which are currently underutilised by the insect protein industry. The project will enable an adoption tipping point for this emerging alternative protein solution by reducing the cost of production of BSFL and adding value to the insect meal end product

The consortium's aim is to demonstrate the first end-to-end modular insect farm which can be easily integrated onto commercial poultry farms seeking a sustainable source of animal feed protein. Each stage in the insect farming process has its own bespoke, prefabricated component, which combined provides a low CAPEX system 'The 360 Farm'.

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Mapping of waste availability in East Africa, and analysing this in the context of the substrate required for Black Soldier Fly Rearing to create sustainable protein as part of the circular economy.