The management of household organic waste is one of the aspects that must be carefully considered. According to data from the National Waste Management Information System (SIPSN), in 2023, the amount of waste in Indonesia reached approximately 40 million tons per year. In addition, according to data from the Depok City Environment and Cleanliness Agency, 900 to 1,000 tons of waste are disposed of daily at the Cipayung Landfill (TPA), Depok, in 2023. However, according to the same source, the Cipayung Landfill’s capacity is unable to accommodate the amount of incoming waste. In response, the Depok City Government has also urged local residents to separate their household waste to reduce the volume entering the Cipayung Landfill through the Depok Go Clean (D’Gober) program, as outlined in the Mayor of Depok’s Instruction No. 13 of 2024 on the Waste Management Movement.

Airlangga University stated that using maggots from the Black Soldier Fly (BSF) is an effective step to manage organic waste. One kilogram of maggots can decompose 2 to 5 kilograms of organic waste per day. According to information from Gadjah Mada University, maggots also have economic value that can benefit those cultivating them. Maggots can be sold live or dried as animal feed. The maggot waste, known as maggot droppings (kasgot), can also be used as fertilizer for plants.

Seeing the potential of organic waste management through maggot cultivation, the CARE Peduli Foundation (YCP), supported by the Dedication to the Nation Program from Bank Indonesia, provided technical training in maggot farming and organic waste management to 260 households in Depok City. In collaboration with Biomagg, in addition to training on organic waste management, participants were also empowered with knowledge on gender equality within households. Participants were encouraged to understand that both women and men have equal roles and responsibilities in the family, so household chores are not solely the responsibility of women but also of men.

Agus Tri Wahyono, Program Manager at the CARE Peduli Foundation, explained that the collaboration between YCP and Bank Indonesia focuses on strengthening the involvement of the majority of women at the neighborhood (RT and RW) levels. Active participation by these groups is emphasized in managing household organic waste and enhancing financial literacy with a gender-responsive approach, considering the economic potential that can be derived from maggot farming. “The organic waste management training using maggots is conducted in 10 sessions. Each training session has two parts, with one session focusing on household financial literacy, involving both women and men in the household, an introduction to gender equality, and an explanation of maggot farming and its benefits. Each session is attended by 10 to 15 participants,” he said.

Agus further added that all participants not only received information about managing waste through maggot farming but also received maggot seeds and a Bio Box package from Biomagg, a container for growing maggots to decompose waste. “The maggot seeds will be ready for harvest after developing for 15 to 20 days and will range in size from 0.3 cm to 1.5 cm. Then, the training participants can sell the ready-to-harvest live maggots to Biomagg, the program’s collaborator, for Rp4,000 per kilogram or use them personally,” he explained.

Arniah Purwanti, one of the participants from Tapos District, Depok, stated that she was interested in joining the maggot management training because it could bring economic benefits. Previously, she faced difficulties selling the maggots she raised. According to her, with the organic waste management program implemented by YCP, she now knows where to sell the maggots she breeds. “I saw on social media that maggots can be sold. But it turns out that marketing them was very difficult. Now, I know where to sell the maggots, so it’s much easier,” Arin said.

Furthermore, Arin explained that she and her colleagues, who also attended the workshop, have agreed to manage the maggots collectively. “At our place, organic waste, recyclable waste, and residual waste are separated, so it’s easier to process, and there’s no need to sort it out anymore. With maggots, before the organic waste starts to smell, we take it first to feed the maggots,” concluded Arin.

 

Author: Kukuh A. Tohari

Editor: Swiny Adestika