Does the picture look disgusting? But even though they are disgusting, these creatures have an important role in turning organic waste into profit. Meet the BSF larvae.
The other side of rural or countryside living: you can start growing your food at home. How about managing waste? Is there a garbage worker who cleans your waste in the countryside? In my country (Indonesia), most of those who live in rural had manage their waste successfully. Especially with organic waste, we can convert it into profitable animal feed.
From various research and technology today, there is one alternative animal feed that is now starting to be in great demand, namely BSF larvae. This larvae has a high nutritional content and can be produced at a relatively affordable cost, even for free if you have an organic waste problem.
What is BSF larvae?
BSF larvae are the larvae of the Black Soldier Fly: a small-sized fly native to Central and South America. BSF can decompose a wide range of organic waste, including household waste, agricultural waste, and industrial waste. Simply put, as long as it is organic, be it fruit peels, feces, rotten food, or “human poops” as long it is not mixed with harmful chemicals, BSF larvae can decompose it.
BSF larvae have a high nutritional content, including protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. If you want to know the details of its content, you can research other scientific journals. What is certain is that larvae can be an alternative farm feed. The farm in question here can be poultry, fish, and ruminants.
Benefits of BSF Larvae as Animal Feed
High Nutrient Content
Protein: Contains very high protein, which is about 40-60% of its dry weight. Protein is an essential nutrient for the growth and development of animals.
Fat: Contain high-fat content, which is about 20-40% of their dry weight. Fat is an important source of energy for animals.
Fiber: Contains high fiber, which is about 5-15% of its dry weight. Fiber is an important nutrient for maintaining the digestive health of animals.
Minerals: Contain minerals that are important for animal health, such as calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium.
Vitamins: Contains vitamins that are important for animal health, such as vitamin B12 and vitamin E.
Notes: The content of these nutrients varies depending on how you raise them.
Cheaper, even Free
BSF larvae production costs are relatively affordable. It can be produced from a wide variety of organic waste and does not require complicated maintenance. If you want free, you can go to markets, restaurants, or eateries to ask for their food waste. Some places will even pay you to pick up their food waste because it eases their operational problems.
Environmentally Friendly
BSF Maggot cultivation does not require a large area of land and does not cause pollution. This makes Maggot BSF an environmentally friendly alternative to animal feed. The media used by Maggot BSF can be composted, so the concept of zero waste can be achieved.
BSF Larvae Can Eco-Friendly Business
Check this price dried BSF Larvae on Amazon.
As for me living in Indonesia, that price is Insane. In my place, the price of dried BSF Larvae was half of it from Amazon for 5lb. This means that products from BSF larvae can potentially become a sustainable business because the problem of organic waste will always exist.
