# A Circular Bioeconomy Model for Oaxaca: Integrating Entomophagy and Zootechnical Validation in Small-Scale Tilapia Farming

## TL;DR

A new system in Oaxaca uses insects raised from household waste to feed tilapia, reducing costs and improving food safety.

## Contribution

A novel circular bioeconomy model integrating entomophagy and aquaculture for low-cost, sustainable fish farming.

## Key findings

- Insect flour-fed tilapia show growth and protein levels comparable to commercial feed.
- Fish meat produced via the system is free of harmful bacteria.
- Local communities accept insect consumption, supporting the model's feasibility.

## Abstract

In Oaxaca, Mexico, small-scale fish farmers face a major economic challenge: commercial feed is too expensive, accounting for most of their production costs. To solve this, we developed a “Backyard Integrated System” specifically designed for rural families with limited resources. This model connects the local tradition of eating insects with fish farming. Instead of buying expensive feed, farmers can use their own household organic waste to raise insects like mealworms and crickets, which are then turned into flour to feed Nile tilapia. Our study confirmed three key findings: first, the local population widely accepts insect consumption; second, fish fed entirely on insect flour grow just as well as those fed commercial brands and contain more protein; and third, the final fish meat is free of harmful bacteria, proving that this waste-to-feed cycle produces safe food. This system is valuable to society because it allows communities to produce high-quality protein at near-zero cost, recycling waste and breaking their dependence on volatile external markets.

Global population growth necessitates sustainable food systems, positioning Circular Bioeconomy as a key transition framework. In Oaxaca, Mexico, semi-intensive tilapia aquaculture faces economic viability issues due to a critical reliance on expensive external commercial feeds. This study proposes a “Backyard Integrated System” specifically designed for rural contexts with limited capitalization, connecting traditional entomophagy with aquaculture to reduce operational costs and close nutrient cycles. Using a mixed-method approach, we first conducted a sociocultural diagnosis (n = 140), revealing a 97.14% acceptance of insect consumption. Subsequently, to validate technical viability, a long-term (280-day) feeding trial was conducted using standardized insect meals (Tenebrio molitor and Acheta domesticus) as total substitutes (100%) for commercial feed in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) diets. Results showed a Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) of 1.61–1.62, comparable to the commercial control (p > 0.05), while significantly enhancing fillet protein content. Crucially, microbiological analysis confirmed the absence of pathogens in the final product, empirically validating the safety of the waste-to-feed cycle. Consequently, this strategy ensures food sovereignty, decouples producers from volatile external markets, and offers a scalable solution for community resilience without compromising food safety.