The first INCiTiS-FOOD Open Call, launched in December 2024, invited external consortia to test and apply circular agri-food solutions. The call focused on technologies already explored within the project, including insect farming, hydroponics, and aquaponics, and aimed to extend their use through locally driven initiatives.
The Open Call invited Local Innovation Hubs (LIHs), small consortia made up of two to three partners working together on practical solutions. These collaborations are designed to test how technologies can function outside controlled environments and within everyday conditions.
Among the selected projects is FROM WASTE TO RESOURCE: Implementing BSF and Bokashi Technologies for a Circular Food System in Nakuru County (W2R – Nakuru), based in Nakuru County, Kenya. The initiative looks at how organic waste can be reused in practical ways, linking waste management with food production.
Working with What Already Exists: Organic Waste Management
W2R –Nakuru builds on a simple idea: organic waste is already there, and it can be put to use instead of being discarded. In a city like Nakuru, where both population and waste volumes are growing, this approach responds to a very immediate need.
Organic waste from households, markets, and small businesses is often underused or improperly managed. By redirecting these streams into productive use, the project helps reduce pressure on local waste systems while supporting agricultural activities.
Rather than introducing entirely new systems, the project works with available resources and existing challenges. Waste from households and markets becomes an input, not an endpoint.
Technologies Used in the Project
The project applies Black Soldier Fly (BSF) larvae to process organic waste. This method produces protein-rich material that can be used as animal feed, offering an alternative to more resource-intensive feed sources.
This is particularly relevant in contexts where feed costs are high, and access to a consistent supply can be a challenge. By producing feed locally, the system supports both affordability and availability.
At the same time, Bokashi composting is used to convert organic waste into fertiliser. This process is relatively fast and can be applied at different scales, which makes it suitable for local use.
These two approaches are combined in a way that allows continuous reuse of materials. What would normally be discarded is instead redirected into production, creating a loop that supports both waste reduction and food production.
Local Work and Collaboration
W2R–Nakuru is implemented by a local consortium, bringing together three institutions: Engineers Without Borders Israel (EWB-IL), Camplo Limited, and Keriko Secondary School.
Engineers Without Borders Israel (EWB-IL) is a non-profit organisation that applies engineering and technology to support community-based development initiatives, particularly in areas such as sustainable resource use.
Camplo Limited contributes experience in sustainable agriculture and circular approaches, supporting local farming systems.
Keriko Secondary School, located in Nakuru County, is a local educational institution with strong links to the community, particularly through education and youth engagement.
The work goes beyond technical setup and includes training, knowledge sharing, and day-to-day engagement with people who will use the system. Farmers, small businesses, and other local actors are part of the process, often through hands-on demonstrations and gradual adoption of new practices rather than immediate large-scale implementation.
This helps ensure that the solutions are not only functional but also realistic in terms of long-term use, reflecting how INCiTiS-FOOD Living Labs operate – testing ideas in practice, adjusting them where needed, and involving people directly.
What the Project Aims to Achieve
The expected results of W2R – Nakuru are quite practical. The project contributes to reducing organic waste while producing inputs that can be used in agriculture.
There is also a clear economic aspect. Activities such as feed production and waste processing create opportunities at the local level, particularly for smaller actors and emerging businesses.
In addition, the project supports more efficient use of locally available resources, reducing reliance on external inputs and transport.
Over time, the model developed in Nakuru could be applied in other cities facing similar conditions, especially where waste management and food production are closely linked.
W2R–Nakuru within INCiTiS-FOOD
W2R–Nakuru is one of several projects supported through the INCiTiS-FOOD Open Call. Each of them looks at how circular approaches can be applied in different contexts, depending on local needs and conditions.
Together, these initiatives contribute to a broader understanding of how such systems can work in practice, beyond pilot environments.
To learn more about INCiTiS-FOOD and follow updates from the Open Call projects, visit the project website and follow INCiTiS-FOOD on LinkedIn. More initiatives will be presented as part of this series.
Add a Comment