Year-round BSF farming: How climate control ensures consistent feed supply
For insect farmers, seasonal fluctuations pose a major challenge – temperature swings, droughts, and monsoons disrupt Black Soldier Fly (BSF) breeding cycles, leading to inconsistent larval yields or even stop the production for months. This unpredictability and lack of climate control makes it difficult to supply reliable feed for poultry, fish, and livestock.
However, climate-controlled farming systems, like Manna Insect’s Manna MIND smart climatization technology, are transforming BSF production by enabling year-round, high-yield operations.
The problem: Seasonal instability in open-air BSF farming
- Temperature sensitivity: BSF larvae grow fastest at 25-35°C – below 20°C, development slows drastically; above 35°C, mortality rises.
- Humidity dependency: Larvae need 60-75% humidity – dry conditions dehydrate them, while excessive moisture breeds mold.
- Breeding interruptions: In colder temperate regions, cold winters halt reproduction; in tropical areas, heavy rains can drown the larvae.
These challenges force farmers into stop-start production cycles, making it hard to meet steady demand for insect-based feed, thus significantly impacting the business case and profit margins.
The solution: Climate-controlled BSF farming
Indoor farming with automated climate control eliminates weather dependency. Systems like Manna MIND use real-time sensors and adaptive cooling/heating to maintain ideal conditions, ensuring:
✔ Faster growth cycles – harvest in 7-12 days vs. 20+ days in open air.
✔ High survival rates – reducing losses from heat stress or drying.
✔ Uninterrupted breeding – no seasonal downtime.
Open-air vs. controlled-environment BSF farming
| Factor | Open-Air Farming | Farming with climate control, e.g. Manna MIND |
|---|---|---|
| Production Stability | Seasonal gaps in output | Year-round consistent yields |
| Growth Speed | Slower (weather-dependent) | Optimized (~2x faster) |
| Labor&Monitoring | High (manual adjustments needed) | Low (automated systems) |
| Initial Cost | Low (no infrastructure) | Moderate (short investment payback time) |
| Scalability | Limited by climate | Expandable regardless of location |
Affordable climate tech for small farms
While large-scale insect farms use expensive HVAC systems, innovations like Manna MIND offer smallholders a low-energy, solar-compatible climate control solution with:
- Plug-and-play automation (no technical expertise required).
- Remote monitoring (via smartphone alerts).
- Adaptive design (for tropical, arid, or variable climates).
- Suits all kinds of production units and of various sizes
The bottom line
For farmers seeking reliable, high-volume BSF production, climate control isn’t a luxury – it’s a necessity. Technologies like Manna MIND make controlled-environment farming accessible and profitable, turning insect-based feed into a dependable, year-round commodity.
No more seasonal shortages – climate-smart BSF farming feeds the future!
Learn more about BSF farming in the
Insect Farm Hub!
Manna Insect has launched a comprehensive insect farming platform designed for learning, managing, monitoring and networking. There are tons of free content about insect farming, as well as a lot of paid premium content, that dives even deeper in black soldier fly business.
Do you already follow us in LinkedIn? We share insights and news about BSF farming and insect business daily in Manna Insect LinkedIn page, come and join the discussion!
Read also: Economic benefits of climate-controlled BSF farming for smallholder farmers