3BL Cooperative — empowering farmers through Black Soldier Fly & biogas
3BL (Bert Carbon Credits, BSF & Biogas Co-operative Society Limited) is an agricultural cooperative being established in Kenya, co-initiated by LushBert, to give farmers a structured, supported path from small-scale Black Soldier Fly production to full biogas ownership.
Core purpose
3BL helps farmers earn stable income from Black Soldier Fly (BSF) and biogas through comprehensive support: professional training and quality control, aggregation for collective bargaining power, and structured finance access to equipment and growth.
Important: 3BL is not a lender and does not guarantee members' debts. It is a facilitator and support system for farmer success.
How it works
Farmers enter at the level that matches their readiness, and can grow from a small Black Soldier Fly operation into full biogas ownership as their business builds up:
1. BSF-only members
Start with a BSF starter kit, earn income from day one, and build savings toward a future biogas investment.
2. BSF-to-biogas pathway farmers
Start with BSF and build equity over time — the priority candidates for a cooperative-supported biogas plant lease.
3. Commercial farmers
Larger farms and agribusinesses with a stronger balance sheet can move straight to a biogas leasing arrangement.
What 3BL is designed to deliver
Fast-starting income
A small-scale Black Soldier Fly operation is designed to start generating income quickly, well before any biogas investment is needed.
Guaranteed market access
Members focus on production while 3BL works to secure buyers and fair, agreed prices through offtake arrangements.
Structured savings pathway
BSF income is designed to help members build toward the equity needed for a leased biogas plant.
Community & carbon credits
Training, monitoring and community support, plus a share of potential carbon-credit revenue as the cooperative grows.
Payback periods, financing terms and revenue figures are part of an evolving planning model and depend on final leasing terms, farm-specific conditions and market prices — treat any specific figures shared during onboarding as indicative, not guaranteed.
Membership requirements
Active agricultural activity
Daily access to organic waste suitable for BSF or biogas production.
Community standing
Two community character witnesses, as part of the cooperative's trust-based membership process.
Quality commitment
Willingness to follow training, quality standards and cooperative activities.
Watch: the founders meeting
The full recording of the 3BL Cooperative Society online Founders Meeting (28 February 2026), where the model was first presented to founding members.
More installations and explainer videos are on the Track Record page.
Interested in joining 3BL?
3BL is being built step by step, starting with founding members and a small number of pilot farmers. Get in touch to learn about the current status and next steps in your area.
Email [email protected]3BL Cooperative Society is in the process of formation under Kenya's Co-operative Societies Act and is subject to registration and approval by the Commissioner for Co-operative Development. Membership, financing terms and figures referenced above are indicative and subject to the cooperative's registered bylaws once finalised.