Program Overview

Black Soldier Fly: Boosting a Sustainable Future

An international course on insect-based circular food systems

The Black Soldier Fly (BSF) is rapidly gaining attention for its unique ability to transform organic waste into high-value protein, oils, and fertilizer. As the demand for sustainable solutions in food, feed, and farming grows, BSF offers a scalable and impactful answer. This course empowers professionals to understand and apply the full BSF value chain. From rearing and waste conversion to legislation, processing and product application. This programme equips you with knowledge, skills, and connections to lead in circular food systems.

Organised by

• Wageningen Academy
• Wageningen Plant Research

Course Details

• Date: Mon 23 March 2026 until Fri 27 March 2026
• Duration: 5 days
• Number of students: 24 - 40
• Price: EUR 2,595.00
• Price description: The course fee covers tuition, course materials, lunches, 2 dinners and a field trip to KU Leuven, Belgium. Hotel accommodation is not included in the course fee. For PhD students we offer a reduced course fee of 1995 euro.

Target audience

This course is ideal for professionals working in:

• Animal feed, food and pet food industry
• Waste management and bioconversion
• Policymaking and regulation related to food and feed
• Research and higher education related to insect-based innovations and circular agriculture

No prior knowledge on BSF is required, but a background in life sciences, agri-food, or related sectors is helpful.

Learning outcomes

After successful completion of this programme, you will be able to:

• Understand key factors driving BSF production, safety, and scalability
• Gain knowledge on BSF and their larvae in different stages in the BSF value chain
• Have a basic overview of legislation, ethics, safety standards and economical frameworks
• Learn how BSF fit larger sustainable food, feed and waste systems
• Be inspired by the latest scientific insights and innovations
• Expand your professional network with global experts and peers

Programme

This course offers a unique combination of theoretical and practical knowledge. Topics include:

• The biology and rearing of black soldier flies
• BSF as a solution for organic waste conversion
• Applications in animal nutrition (pets, poultry, pigs, fish and ruminants)
• Processing technologies and product quality
• Feed safety, legislation, and ethical considerations
• Economic aspects and business models
• Fertilizer applications and environmental impact
• Excursion to KU Leuven, Belgium including Labs & the Insect Pilot Plant
• Research pitches by PhD students

Throughout the course you learn from over 20+ world-class experts in entomology, food safety, animal nutrition, and circular agriculture.

The course is coordinated by professor Arnold van Huis (Lab of Entomology, WUR), the sessions are co-chaired by WUR-colleagues Prof. Marcel Dicke (Lab of Entomology, WUR), Dr. Dennis Oonincx (Animal Sciences, WUR) and Dr. Teun Veldkamp (Wageningen Livestock Research).

Certification

After completing the programme, you are awarded with a certificate.

Coordinated by

• ir. MGC (Monique) Tulp-Jansen, Programme manager
• prof.dr.ir. A (Arnold) van Huis, Externe medewerker

Continuing education at WUR

Stay relevant at our dynamic labour market, join outstanding education at The Netherlands’ best uni, and explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life.