Omar Tubungbanua is the owner of Green Manna Farm. Feeding chickens a diet enriched with black soldier fly larvae can enhance their nutrition. (Green Manna Farm)
In an agriculture industry that constantly seeks innovative solutions to combat food shortages and reduce waste, Omar Tubungbanua, the owner of Green Manna Farm, a farmer from Valencia, Bukidnon offers a sustainable solution by farming an insect called the black soldier fly.
Omar used to be an aircraft maintenance engineering instructor in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE). However, the pandemic prompted Omar and his family to return to the Philippines, as they feared a potential food crisis. Back in the Philippines, he initially ventured into aquaponics, a farming method that combines plant and fish cultivation. However, he realized that the operational costs associated with aquaponics were considerably high, so he made the choice to temporarily suspend his aquaponics occupation and shift his focus to black soldier fly farming. During this transition, he turned his attention to raising ducks and chickens as well, as this proved to be a more financially viable venture compared to aquaponics.
Black soldier fly pupa are a valuable and sustainable protein source used in various applications, including animal feed and aquaculture. (Green Manna Farm)
The great potential of the black soldier flies
The benefits of employing black soldier flies in waste management are numerous. These flies can serve as a valuable protein supplement feed for a variety of livestock, including chickens, ducks, rabbits, aquaculture fishes, cows, and goats. This is achieved by converting black soldier flies into a powder form that can be easily incorporated into animal feed.
Furthermore, black soldier flies have been shown to boost the immune systems of avian livestock, making them more resilient against diseases, and ultimately improving animal health.
Lastly, the use of black soldier flies contributes significantly to addressing the ongoing garbage problem, particularly in managing organic waste within communities. The natural decomposing abilities of these insects can reduce waste.
Black soldier flies as poultry feed
Black soldier flies, like other common flies such as dragonflies, butterflies, and fruit flies, have distinct characteristics. Unlike house flies, which are notorious for scavenging for up to 60 days and often associated with uncleanliness, black soldier flies have a different life cycle. They live as adults for only 7 to 10 days, lacking mouthparts and relying on nutrients gathered during their larval stage. Their sole purpose as adult flies is to mate, reproduce, lay eggs, and then naturally die. This unique life cycle makes them cleaner in comparison to houseflies.
During their larval stage, which spans 14 days, black soldier fly larvae exhibit a voracious appetite. "A single kilogram of black soldier fly larvae can devour one kilogram of chopped food within an hour," Omar said.
Omar takes an active role in producing black soldier fly eggs and rearing the larvae. Approximately 90 percent of these larvae are utilized as a high-protein feed source for their chickens and ducks, supporting their nutritional needs. The remaining 10 percent of the larvae are returned to the insect colony to perpetuate the breeding process, ensuring a continuous cycle of production.
Omar currently maintains a flock of 200 ducks and 100 chickens on his farm. The ducks are primarily for egg production, used in making balut, while the chickens are raised for meat.
“I'm delighted to share that I haven't had to purchase commercial feeds since September of last year, and I'm extremely satisfied with the outcomes,” Omar said.
Omar has implemented a well-balanced dietary strategy for his ducks and chickens. He relies on black soldier fly larvae to provide 60 percent of their dietary requirements. This approach is carefully designed to avoid any potential health issues that could arise from an excess of protein in the animals' diets. To complement the larvae's protein-rich diet, the remaining 40 percent of their nutrition comes from corn or rice bran.
Challenges and opportunities
Omar aims to teach the community how to use black soldier flies for eco-friendly waste disposal and resource utilization. While some people want to visit his farm, he's currently declining because it mainly deals with organic waste decomposition, which can be unpleasant due to the odor. However, Omar is still dedicated to sharing his knowledge and promoting black soldier flies for sustainable waste management.
"I've been operating manually, hoping for a potential investor to provide financial support for purchasing a shredder and dehydrator on the farm,” Omar said. “These machines are essential because improper drying of food scraps and organic agricultural waste can lead to unpleasant odor. While black soldier flies can consume a wide range of materials, optimizing the farm's operations involves reducing the moisture content in the materials fed to them."