Black soldier flies - the key to circular, organic agriculture

TIEN GIANG Black soldier flies are a practical solution for both the crop and livestock industries, especially the growing trend of circular and organic agriculture.

TIEN GIANG Black soldier flies are a practical solution for both the crop and livestock industries, especially the growing trend of circular and organic agriculture.

40gr fly eggs treat 200kg of livestock manure

The black soldier fly (scientific name: Hermetia illucens ) - an insect belonging to the family Stratiomyidae has become the focus of attention in the livestock industry thanks to its ability to treat waste and bring many sustainable benefits. With the potential to improve the environment, minimize the impact of climate change and provide useful resources, the black soldier fly is considered a practical solution in the trend of developing circular and organic agriculture.

According to Dr. Thai Quoc Hieu, Deputy Director of the Tien Giang Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department, black soldier flies and black soldier fly larvae are allowed to be raised in Vietnam from July 13, 2022. Black soldier fly larvae effectively convert substrates (manure, straw, rice husks, food waste, kitchen waste, etc.) into body mass for animal feed and aquaculture. The larvae contain proteins, lipids, vitamins, antibacterial peptides, chitin and chitosan.

Mr. Thai Quoc Hieu, Deputy Director in charge of the Tien Giang Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department, provided information about black soldier flies. Photo: Minh Dam.

Larvae have the ability to grow rapidly and consume large amounts of organic waste in a short period of time. This process not only reduces waste but also creates an unfavorable environment for the growth of pathogenic bacteria.

As the larvae decompose waste, they consume the nutrients that pathogenic bacteria need to multiply. This helps reduce the risk of outbreaks of bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Salmonella in livestock environments. In addition, the larvae also secrete natural antibacterial enzymes, helping to clean the environment and protect livestock health.

This effect is especially valuable in poultry and pig farms, where manure is often large and can easily cause pollution if not treated properly. It is estimated that every 40 grams of black soldier fly eggs can treat more than 200 kg of poultry manure, reducing the amount of manure, limiting the risk of spreading pathogens and creating a source of quality organic fertilizer for growing crops.

Solutions to land degradation and climate change

When the larvae complete their life cycle, they leave behind a high-quality organic fertilizer. This fertilizer contains many essential nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, helping to improve soil fertility. In particular, the larvae's feces have the ability to stimulate the growth of beneficial microorganisms in the soil, contributing to the regeneration of degraded soil ecosystems.

Black soldier flies are the key to opening up favorable conditions for the development of circular, organic, and ecological agriculture.

In the context of climate change and land degradation being urgent issues, organic fertilizer from black soldier flies plays an important role in reducing the use of chemical fertilizers, not only saving costs, reducing groundwater pollution but also limiting greenhouse gas emissions.

In particular, organic fertilizer from black soldier fly larvae can also be applied in organic agriculture, where the requirements for sustainability and biosafety are very high. Using this type of fertilizer not only helps increase productivity but also improves the quality of agricultural products, meeting the green consumption trend of the market.

The use of black soldier flies helps to effectively treat manure, reducing methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O) emitted from normal decomposition. Thereby, reducing environmental pressure, contributing to the implementation of Vietnam's commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Black soldier flies and the livestock industry in Tien Giang

When permitted to raise black soldier flies, Tien Giang province deployed 7 models in 2 districts of Cho Gao and Go Cong Tay. Tien Giang is one of the leading provinces in the Mekong Delta in livestock and poultry farming. Every year, the province produces a large amount of meat, eggs and other livestock products, which means a large amount of manure and agricultural waste is generated. This is a major environmental challenge, especially in the context of small-scale farms often lacking effective waste treatment measures.

Mr. Le An Binh, owner of an egg-laying chicken farm (production of 80,000 eggs/day) in Binh Ninh hamlet, Binh Phan commune, Cho Gao district, experiments with the process of treating black soldier fly larvae. Photo: Minh Dam.

Black soldier fly larvae biomass (rich in protein) can be used as feed for poultry, livestock and aquaculture to replace expensive ingredients such as fish meal and soybean. Thereby reducing livestock costs and increasing economic efficiency for farmers.

Mr. Le An Binh, owner of a chicken farm for eggs (output of 80 thousand eggs/day) in Binh Ninh hamlet, Binh Phan commune, Cho Gao district, said that products from black soldier fly larvae can replace fishmeal in the future, however, the current production cost is still high.

On the other hand, the processing technology of black soldier fly larvae is still limited. Moreover, the processing plants are willing to buy raw larvae in large quantities, but the supply is not enough.

Mr. Binh hopes that in the near future, with the support of the livestock industry and the research of scientists, black soldier fly farming will develop strongly in Tien Giang in particular and the whole country in general.

The solution of using black soldier flies to treat waste is highly appreciated by experts because of its ability to transform waste into valuable resources. However, in Tien Giang, the source of black soldier fly eggs still has to be imported from outside facilities, leading to high costs and difficulty in being proactive in production.

People, authorities and functional agencies visit the black soldier fly farming model at Mr. Le An Binh's facility (Binh Ninh hamlet, Binh Phan commune, Cho Gao district). Photo: Minh Dam.

Mr. Nguyen Van Chieu, Deputy Director of the Go Cong Tay District Agricultural Service Center, proposed solutions to build a sustainable black soldier fly development strategy for Tien Giang province. According to him, it is necessary to invest in scientific research to find a method of breeding and producing black soldier fly eggs on site because proactively sourcing seeds will help reduce costs and encourage farmers to participate in the model.

In addition, establishing cooperatives or cooperative groups specializing in the production and supply of eggs and black soldier fly larvae to livestock farms because the cooperative model will help strengthen the connection between farmers, businesses and scientists, creating a sustainable value chain.

To effectively raise black soldier flies, authorities need to provide technical support to farmers and provide incentive policies such as preferential loans and support for infrastructure construction.

The black soldier fly farming model not only contributes to improving the environment and increasing economic efficiency but also aims for a green and sustainable agriculture, in line with modern development trends.

Source: https://nongsanviet.nongnghiep.vn/ruoi-linh-den--chia-khoa-cho-nong-nghiep-tuan-hoan-huu-co-d410149.html