Govt urged to invest in black soldier fly facilities

PETALING JAYA: The government should invest more in black soldier fly (BSF) pilot facilities at universities to facilitate research and development of environmentally friendly products, such as compost or animal feed, said Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Faculty of Health Sciences Assoc Prof Dr Farah Ayuni Shafie.

BSF is an insect that is well known for its bioconversion capability.

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“The use of BSF helps to lower greenhouse gas emissions, promote nutrient recycling and provide opportunities for bioenergy production. By investing in more sustainable waste management pilot facilities, Malaysia can increase resource efficiency and reduce waste and greenhouse gas emissions by incorporating it into the circular economy.

“The BSF pilot facility that was established at UiTM in 2020 has received a lot of attention in recent years. The centre operates in collaboration with the Malaysian Association of Environmental Health and a Malaysia-based biotechnology company that focuses on biowaste treatment and organic by-product upcycling by utilising these insect species,” she said.

The pilot facility seeks to divert organic waste from landfills by using the BSF larvae to efficiently consume and convert it into valuable resources such as fertilisers or animal feed, she added.