Soldiers who can tackle the climate change
Skip to main content
  • Home
  • Economy
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • World+Biz
  • Sports
  • Features
  • Epaper
  • More
    • Subscribe
    • COVID-19
    • Bangladesh
    • Splash
    • Videos
    • Games
    • Long Read
    • Infograph
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Thoughts
    • Podcast
    • Quiz
    • Tech
    • Archive
    • Trial By Trivia
    • Magazine
    • Supplement
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Monday
July 04, 2022

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Home
  • Economy
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • World+Biz
  • Sports
  • Features
  • Epaper
  • More
    • Subscribe
    • COVID-19
    • Bangladesh
    • Splash
    • Videos
    • Games
    • Long Read
    • Infograph
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Thoughts
    • Podcast
    • Quiz
    • Tech
    • Archive
    • Trial By Trivia
    • Magazine
    • Supplement
  • বাংলা
MONDAY, JULY 04, 2022
Soldiers who can tackle the climate change

Panorama

SM Nahian Islam
25 May, 2021, 01:30 pm
Last modified: 25 May, 2021, 01:30 pm

Related News

  • Russia sanctions, energy, food - what the G7 agreed
  • Met office gains efficiency but disaster victims fail to understand weather data
  • Stockholm +50: Another PR stunt or last chance to save the earth?
  • Making steel without damaging the climate
  • Momen urges global leaders for ambitious actions to address climate change

Soldiers who can tackle the climate change

The Black Soldier Fly can revolutionise the waste management system in developing countries, while mitigating multiple aspects of climate change

SM Nahian Islam
25 May, 2021, 01:30 pm
Last modified: 25 May, 2021, 01:30 pm
 Farming Black Soldier Flies is easier and cheaper. Photo: Collected
Farming Black Soldier Flies is easier and cheaper. Photo: Collected

Yes, you read that correctly. There are soldiers who can potentially tackle climate change. They may have a hard time fighting it off on their own, but there is hope. If you're imagining a special galactic force, then you are way off. These soldiers aren't from outer space, nor are they from Area 51 or some other underground U.S bases. As a matter of fact, these soldiers aren't even humans. So who are they? 

Black Soldier Fly, better known in the scientific realm as Hermetia illucens, is a special kind of insect that can potentially solve multiple waste problems faced by modern-day cities. It is a member of the Stratiomydae family and it belongs to the Diptera order. Normally we associate flies with pests. But in the case of BSF (Black Soldier Fly), it does the complete polar opposite compared to its cousins. 

The future of waste management: Black Soldier Fly 

The Black Soldier Fly has a closed lifespan. The 'fly' stage of the cycle isn't that vital. However, you can get your money's worth from the larvae. BSF larvae can break down different organic constituents. This means the BSF larvae can digest any sort of organic waste before turning into a fly and completing the cycle. 

During the 14 day larvae period, it can consume approximately 5,000 times its own body weight and start looking like a macaroni. The BSF larvae break down bacteria in the organic waste and while doing so it emits a certain odor that protects it from pests. 

According to various researches, the larvae are a much better poultry and fish feed than the locally available ones. Researchers Diener, Zurbrügg, and Tockner identified in their scientific paper how beneficial the larvae can be as poultry feed compared to the existing feeds available globally (Diener et al., 2009). To add to the list of benefits, farming Black Soldier Flies has never been easier and cheaper. It can also be used as dry biomass if it is produced in a great quantity. 

Black Soldier Fly farming has become very popular in Africa and it is starting to gain traction in different parts of Asia. The European and American market has seen industrial-scale production and processing of the BSF. In recent years China has started exporting these insects to different parts of the world. It has a proven track record of being profitable if farmed according to its merits while tackling issues of waste management and climate change. 

The use of BSF larvae as poultry feed is not something out of the blue for some locals in Bangladesh. 

SM Nahian Islam, Contributor. Sketch/TBS
SM Nahian Islam, Contributor. Sketch/TBS

Ariful Hasan, a resident of Mirpur, has been involved in rooftop farming for over 30 years now. He started using the BSF larvae as poultry feed for his chickens after he found out about the benefits. 

When asked about the BSF farming he said, "The BSF larvae is an amazing food for my chicken as it contains a high nutritional value. I feed my kitchen waste to the larvae and after 2-3 weeks they turn into food for the chickens." 

The scalability of such insect farming in Bangladesh is still in doubt. But Mr. Hasan believes even though it's a niche market, if we can replicate what China is doing in terms of exporting Black Soldier Fly eggs this industry has huge potential in Bangladesh. 

One solution for multiple problems 

In the grand scheme of things, the impact of BSF larvae might seem insignificant. But if you pay close attention to the details and the numbers you would be very surprised. In Bangladesh, most factories produce animal feed by recycling tannery waste. Research conducted by Abul Hossain, a professor in the Chemistry Department of the University of Dhaka, highlighted chickens that ate the tannery scrap recycled feed had 0.35 milligrams to 4.52 milligrams of chromium in different parts of their body. 

Another governmental study conducted by Patuakhali Science and Technology University and Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC) found multiple harmful antibiotics in 50 % of the poultry samples. 

Just to put things into perspective, according to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), an individual weighing 60kg can tolerate a maximum of 0.25 milligrams of chromium each day. The amount of chromium permissible according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) is 0.05 milligrams per KG. It's evident that the commercial poultry feed of our country has an exceeding amount of harmful elements compared to the standards set by WHO and EFSA.

Chicken, being the cheapest form of animal protein in Bangladesh, a transformation in the animal and poultry feed sector has been long due. 

One such initiative has been taken by Khalilur Rahman, in Sylhet's Bishwanath. He started farming Black Soldier Fly after returning from London with 150 BSF insects. Khalilur has already set up a chicken and quail farm next to his house. He uses the larvae as feed for his poultry. His initiative, 'Haji Biocycle Company' is almost on the verge of reaching self-sufficiency. According to his estimation, the BSF feed can be sold for around 35,000-40,000 taka per kilogram.  

The Black Soldier Fly can revolutionise the waste management system in developing countries where multi-million dollar projects have failed previously because of obvious reasons. Any local farmer can start farming BSF, irrespective of the farm size. 

They are environment-friendly and you won't have to worry about the disease spreading or any other harmful impacts. On top of that, the use of BSF larvae as a substitute for commercial poultry and fish feed can mitigate the health risk of billions. Black Soldier Flies genuinely have the potential to change Bangladesh while mitigating multiple aspects of climate change. 

Analysis / Features / Top News

soldiers / tackle / Climate / change

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • Cenbank spent $7.62b reserve in FY22 to defend sliding Taka
    Cenbank spent $7.62b reserve in FY22 to defend sliding Taka
  • PM Hasina visits Gopalganj via Padma Bridge
    PM Hasina visits Gopalganj via Padma Bridge
  • Japanese Ambassador Naoki Ito. Sketch: TBS
    ‘The game-changing projects are in line with the Bay of Bengal Industrial Growth Belt initiative’

MOST VIEWED

  • Japanese Ambassador Naoki Ito. Sketch: TBS
    ‘The game-changing projects are in line with the Bay of Bengal Industrial Growth Belt initiative’
  • Last month Swapan Kumar Biswas, the acting principal of Mirzapur United College, was forced to wear a garland of shoes for ‘hurting religious sentiments.’ Photo: Collected
    Where do teachers rank in our society?
  • Stefan Dercon, a Professor of Economics at the University of Oxford and former Chief Economist of the Department of International Development (DFID). Illustration: TBS
    Renewing the ‘elite bargain’ for Bangladesh’s future growth
  • Data on the number of fighters and weapons also changes from analysis to analysis. It also depends on how "weapons" are defined. Photo: Reuters
    Who is winning the Myanmar’s Civil War
  • With an increasing number of buses, the traffic congestion situation in the Mohakhali Bus Terminal is deteriorating day by day. Photo: Rajib Dhar
    How the Mohakhali Bus Terminal keeps on creating traffic congestion
  • Tejgaon Industrial Area has become an illegal parking lot for all kinds of vehicles, from buses to trucks to rickshaws. Photo: Mumit M
    Rickshaw garages and truck stands: How Tejgaon Industrial Area turned into a mess

Related News

  • Russia sanctions, energy, food - what the G7 agreed
  • Met office gains efficiency but disaster victims fail to understand weather data
  • Stockholm +50: Another PR stunt or last chance to save the earth?
  • Making steel without damaging the climate
  • Momen urges global leaders for ambitious actions to address climate change

Features

Last month Swapan Kumar Biswas, the acting principal of Mirzapur United College, was forced to wear a garland of shoes for ‘hurting religious sentiments.’ Photo: Collected

Where do teachers rank in our society?

55m | Panorama
Japanese Ambassador Naoki Ito. Sketch: TBS

‘The game-changing projects are in line with the Bay of Bengal Industrial Growth Belt initiative’

3h | Panorama
A Glittery Eid

A Glittery Eid

1d | Mode
Rise’s target customers are people who crave to express themselves through what they wear, and their clothing line is not relegated to any age range.

Level up your Eid game with Rise

1d | Mode

More Videos from TBS

Photo: TBS

Covid deaths, cases again on the rise

15m | Videos
Is the Western intention to defeat Russia through Ukraine successful?

Is the Western intention to defeat Russia through Ukraine successful?

13h | Videos
Tattoo industry growing in Bangladesh

Tattoo industry growing in Bangladesh

13h | Videos
Ukraine to receive huge arms consignment

Ukraine to receive huge arms consignment

14h | Videos

Most Read

1
Meet the man behind 'Azke amar mon balo nei'
Splash

Meet the man behind 'Azke amar mon balo nei'

2
TBS Illustration
Education

Universities may launch online classes again after Eid

3
Padma Bridge from satellite. Photo: Screengrab
Bangladesh

Padma Bridge from satellite 

4
Photo: Collected
Economy

Tech startup ShopUp bags $65m in Series B4 funding

5
World Bank to give Bangladesh $18b IDA loans in next five years
Economy

World Bank to give Bangladesh $18b IDA loans in next five years

6
Investor Hiru fined Tk2cr for market manipulation
Stocks

Investor Hiru fined Tk2cr for market manipulation

EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2022
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab
BENEATH THE SURFACE
Sun Drying Paddy in Monsoon: Workers in a rice mill at Shonarumpur in Ashuganj arrange paddy grains in lumps on an open field to dry out moisture through sunlight. During the rainy season, workers have to take cautions so that the grains do not get wet in the rains. Photo: Rajib Dhar

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net