![Bhubaneswar start-up uses insects to produce animal feed from food waste](https://th-i.thgim.com/public/incoming/cd5q8j/article66442840.ece/alternates/LANDSCAPE_1200/FRUIT_WASTE_KOYAMBEDU_MARKET.jpg)
Bhubaneswar start-up uses insects to produce animal feed from food waste
The Hindu
The start-up company which was founded at less than ₹1 crore of investment is looking at expanding its area of operation to other urban areas.
Tonnes of leftover food materials go waste and create unhygienic atmosphere in urban landscape. A Bhubaneswar-based start-up which has managed to turn the waste into animal feed has attracted Israeli investment and knowledge collaboration.
The start-up, Insectika Biotech Private Limited (IBPL), has begun collaboration with Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) for accessing food and other wet green waste at Micro Composting Centres. The company releases black soldier flies on food waste and larvae of flies thrive on the waste. It produces feed for animals as well as crop.
Founded in 2022, the IBPL is a joint Indian – Israeli venture led by Arun Kumar Das, founder, India and Benjamin Rubin, co-founder, Israel. It has both operation and research base in Bhubaneswar and Tel Aviv.
“We are in the business of black soldier flies because they provide roughly 5 lakh kg of protein per acre, per year. Their larvae thrive on upcycled feed ingredients and our products provide sustainable nutrition to domesticated crops and animals with almost no waste,” said Mr. Das.
As per the present production formula, four kg of food waste produces one kg of feed for fish and poultry. Mr. Das said Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture, an Indian Council of Agriculture Research, too acknowledged the product.
According to an estimate, roughly 150 tonnes of food waste is generated in Bhubaneswar per day. “The venture offer win-win proposition for disposal of waste and generating food products for fish and poultry,” said founder of the start-up.
The start-up company which was founded at less than ₹1 crore of investment is looking at expanding its area of operation to other urban areas.
![](/newspic/picid-1269750-20240611003910.jpg)
The Opposition Congress demanded that the government open the Gandhi Vatika Museum, depicting Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy and freedom struggle, built at a cost of ₹85 crore in Jaipur’s Central Park last year, during the Congress-led regime in Rajasthan. The museum has not been opened to the public, reportedly because of the administration’s engagements with the State Assembly and Lok Sabha elections.
![](/newspic/picid-1269750-20240610192527.jpg)
Almaya Munnettam (Lay People to the Fore), group in the Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese of the Syro-Malabar Church opposed to the synod-recommended Mass, rejected a circular issued by Major Archbishop Raphael Thattil and apostolic administrator Bosco Puthur on June 9 to implement the unified Mass in the archdiocese from July 3.
![](/newspic/picid-1269750-20240610183344.jpg)
Pakistan coach Gary Kirsten stated that “not so great decision making” contributed to his side’s defeat to India in the Group-A T20 World Cup clash here on Sunday. The batting unit came apart in the chase, after being well placed at 72 for two. With 48 runs needed from eight overs, Pakistan found a way to panic and lose. “Maybe not so great decision making,” Kirsten said at the post-match press conference, when asked to explain the loss.