Dalat makes history with Malaysia’s first black soldier fly farm using invasive river weeds ‘teparok’

Fatimah (centre) at the pre-launch of Dalat's Organic Fertiliser Processing and Black Soldier Fly Breeding Farm with Khairuddin (fourth left) and Muhammad Aznie (fifth right).

By Yvonne T

DALAT, June 19: Dalat today marked a milestone with the launch of Malaysia’s first formal initiative using Black Soldier Fly (BSF) to convert invasive water hyacinths, locally known in Melanau as ‘teparok‘, into biomass products such as animal feed and organic fertiliser.

For years, the aggressive spread of teparok has clogged waterways in Sungai Batang Oya, disrupting river transport, the community’s primary artery of movement and trade, while threatening the river’s ecological balance.

According to Sarawak Minister for Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah, the project was born out of necessity, a search for a practical and sustainable solution to a problem that has long burdened Dalat’s riverine communities.

That search has now materialised into the Organic Fertiliser Processing and Black Soldier Fly Breeding Farm, a collaboration between PETRONAS and the Sarawak government.
More than just solving an ecological problem, the initiative is also creating new livelihood opportunities for the local community.

Muhammad Aznie (third right) explaining the fertiliser produced at the Organic Fertiliser Processing and Black Soldier Fly Breeding Farm in Dalat

“Once this project is completed, we see it benefiting many of our residents. It will especially benefit the women who gather teparok, serving as a new source of income for them,” Fatimah said during the launch here today.

The project which is undertaken by Koperasi Dalat Lestari Berhad, began in 2022 with an RM2.2 million investment under PETRONAS’ corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme, covering machinery, operational costs for the first year, and other essential infrastructure.

Now in its fifth phase, the initiative is already showing measurable returns.

In 2025, the project generated RM2,400 in sales from 804kg of teparok collected. As of May this year, it has already recorded RM2,119 in sales from 676kg.

Churning terparok to be fed to the black soldier flies.

At the core of the project is the BSF, a species known for its ability to convert organic waste into valuable biomass. Through this process, organic materials such as water hyacinth from Sungai Batang Oya, food waste from schools and restaurants, and sago processing residues are transformed into organic fertiliser and animal feed, supporting a circular economy approach.

Equally important, the initiative places community participation and skills development at its core, ensuring locals are not just beneficiaries but active stakeholders in the ecosystem.

PETRONAS Sarawak general manager Norazibah Md Rabu said PETRONAS believes meaningful progress is achieved through collaboration and shared value creation. “This community project in Dalat reflects our commitment to supporting community well-being while advancing sustainable solutions that address local challenges.

Fatimah (fourth right) officiating the launch of the Organic Fertiliser Processing and Black Soldier Fly (BSF) Breeding Farm in Dalat.

“By transforming organic waste into valuable resources, this initiative creates new economic opportunities for rural communities while contributing to environmental conservation and the growth of a circular economy ecosystem in Sarawak,” she added.

“More importantly, the impact of this initiative goes beyond technical solutions. It opens up new income-generating opportunities, particularly for rural communities, thereby supporting inclusive and resilient local economic development. At the same time, this effort also contributes to environmental preservation by reducing organic waste and restoring the river ecosystem—a crucial step in supporting net-zero carbon emissions aspirations and ensuring sustainability for future generation.”

The initiative underscores the shared commitment of PETRONAS and the Sarawak Government to empower communities, strengthen environmental stewardship, and support the aspirations of the post- COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030 towards a prosperous, inclusive and sustainable Sarawak.

Also present at the launch were Balingian ADUN Abdul Yakub Arbi, Telian ADUN Royston Valentine, Mukah Division Resident Bujang Rahman Seli, former Mukah Division Resident Kueh Lei Poh, PETRONAS Senior General Manager for Stakeholder Relations Khairuddin Mohd Jaafar, Dalat District Officer Mathew Hubert, Koperasi Dalat Lestari chairman Muhammad Aznie Abdullah, among other distinguished guests. – DayakDaily