Young Farmer Turns Insects into Agribusiness

In the dusty outskirts of Lilongwe, where market chatter hums with hustle and hope, a quiet agricultural revolution is underway. It’s not driven by massive machines or futuristic technology—but by insects. And leading this unlikely transformation is a 33-year-old visionary named Taonga Nyirenda.

Taonga, founder of Seedbiz, is reshaping Malawi’s agricultural landscape with a solution as surprising as it is sustainable: the Black Soldier Fly. What began as a desperate attempt to save her struggling poultry farm has become a groundbreaking agribusiness that tackles food insecurity, waste management, and climate change—all at once.

“Feed prices were choking my poultry business,” she says. “I had to think differently—or walk away.”

Her turning point came with the discovery of the Black Soldier Fly. These insects thrive on organic waste, producing larvae that are rich in protein and ideal as livestock feed. What started as an experiment soon evolved into a circular economy enterprise—where waste feeds larvae, larvae feed animals, and every stage powers the next.

At Seedbiz, waste is not a nuisance—it’s the raw material. Organic leftovers are fed to larvae, which are then processed into high-protein feed for chickens, goats, pigs, and fish. The byproduct, a nutrient-rich residue called “frass,” is turned into organic fertilizer. Even chicken droppings are recycled back into the system to nourish more larvae. Taonga calls it simply: “waste into wealth.”

“We’re solving two problems at once,” she explains. “We’re making animal feed affordable while managing organic waste sustainably. It’s green, it’s smart, and it works.”

Her innovation now supports seven employees, with plans to double the team as Seedbiz expands. Her goal? To process 4,000 tonnes of organic waste daily, producing 1,000 kilograms of larvae and 3,000 kilograms of fertilizer every single day.

“I want Seedbiz to be a leading force in sustainable farming and organic feed in Malawi,” she says. “But beyond that—I want it to show that women can lead and innovate in agriculture.”

And she’s getting noticed. Seedbiz is a rising star under the Youth Entrepreneurship for the Future of Agriculture (YEFFA) programme—a youth-driven initiative championed by LUANAR’s TACE Agribiz Hub, with support from AGRA and funding from the Mastercard Foundation. Through the programme, Taonga has accessed mentorship, training, and investment networks that have helped sharpen her business model and amplify her impact.

She recently showcased Seedbiz at the National Youth Summit, organized by the National Youth Council of Malawi, where she pitched her vision to private sector leaders, development partners, and fellow innovators.

“I met people I’d only ever seen in the news. I pitched to green investors, climate experts, and fertilizer researchers. It’s changed how I see myself—and my business,” she reflects.

But for Taonga, Seedbiz is more than just a business. It’s a philosophy that merges environmental stewardship, youth empowerment, and local development.

“We don’t just grow larvae,” she says. “We grow futures—ones that nourish people, create jobs, and protect the planet.”

Looking ahead, she’s preparing for certification of her organic fertilizer and developing a consultancy to mentor other young agripreneurs. Her dream? To help build a Malawi where “farming is cool again”—and where waste is no longer a burden, but a powerful resource.

Taonga Nyirenda defies every outdated stereotype about women in agriculture. She’s part scientist, part entrepreneur, and part environmental crusader. Her tools? Flies. Her resource? Waste. Her mission? Transformational.

In a world craving sustainable solutions, Taonga’s story is proof that the smallest creatures—and the boldest ideas—can spark revolutions.

 

Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV :