Depok, 15 March 2024—Residents of Jatijajar Village in Depok City, who are part of Garudafood's community empowerment program, recently had their first harvest of self-cultivated maggot larvae in their homes on Friday, 15 March 2024. Over a period of two weeks, the community's maggot cultivation yielded 149 kilograms of maggots and effectively processed 1,349 kilograms of organic household waste.
These maggots are the larvae of the black soldier fly, typically ranging in size from 0.3 cm to 1.5 cm. Maggots or BSF larvae are known for their voracious appetite, which allows them to consume twice their body weight in food daily. Cultivating maggots is highly effective in decomposing organic waste from household waste. Research shows that maggots can decompose organic waste in as little as two weeks to 20 days.
Despite resembling regular larvae, maggots have distinct differences. The main variation lies in the type of fly they come from; regular larvae are often seen in dirty places, whereas maggots are the larvae of the Black Soldier Fly. Maggots, unlike regular larvae, do not transmit pathogens to humans. While regular larvae are typically transparent, maggots tend to have a light brown color. Moreover, maggots are rich in nutrients, making them suitable for animal feed and fertilizer.
By promoting maggot cultivation in the Jatijajar community, locals have successfully reduced the amount of waste that would otherwise need conventional processing or disposal in landfills. According to the Depok City Environmental and Sanitation Office, 900-1000 tons of waste are transported daily to the Cipayung landfill in Depok City. The community-led maggot cultivation initiative in Jatijajar, supported by Garudafood and Biomagg, represents a tangible approach to reducing organic waste generation while offering economic benefits to residents.