LIPA, Batangas—Kahariam Farms and Realty, Inc. (KFRI) is offering an alternative way in farming with the use of black soldier fly for conversion of organic waste material.

This is the farm’s latest technology that is seen to help waste management and provide sustainable means of producing chemical-free animal feeds.

In a media forum facilitated by Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) CALABARZON last January 23, KFRI introduced the black soldier fly technology to representatives of the local media and some of the Institute’s partner bloggers for organic agriculture (OA).

“We thank you all for coming here. We are excited to show you and explain why black soldier fly is important to the environment and the farmers. We hope to raise awareness and create a better understanding of this amazing insect,” KFRI General Manager Ria Bagatsing said.

ATI CALABARZON Information Services Section chief Rolando Maningas led the forum which was attended by representatives from different media companies such as DZJV 1458 Radyo CALABARZON, DZRJ 810AM, NET25, GMA, Southern Luzon News Star, Dateline Weekly, Laguna Express, among others. OA bloggers Marjorie Pineda-Uy of LivingMarjorney.com; Florencio Jusay, Jr. of ManualtoLyf.com; Maria Rona Beltran of MariaRonaBeltran.com; and Alwin Aguirre of TheCityRoamer.com were present.

Officials from the ATI International Training Center on Pig Husbandry (ITCPH), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Bureau of Animal Industry, and Southern Tagalog Integrated Agricultural Research Center also graced the media forum.

KFRI owner Manuel “Nonong” Bagatsing and Dr. Joel Adorada of the Bureau of Plant Industry-Los Baños National Crop Research, Development and Production Support Center led the launch of the black soldier fly dried larvae which can be used to feed animals like fish and chicken.

The event also gave way for KFRI and ATI-ITCPH to enter into an agreement for a research effort on the use of black soldier fly in the formulation of feeds for pigs.

“We would like to congratulate KFRI for this meaningful project. On behalf of our director, Ruth Miclat-Sonaco, we commit to assist them for a research activity to improve this technology. We hope that this will be successful so that our hog raisers and other livestock farmers can use this to enhance their venture,” Dr. Dyesebel Andaya of ITCPH said.

A guided tour was also held to show the media partners the different stages in black soldier fly propagation. An ATI-certified private Extension Service Provider, KFRI adopts different organic farming technologies and is one of the largest producers of vermicast in the country.