Water Hyacinth Organic Fertiliser Project Generates New Income For Dalat Community

MUKAH, June 19 (Bernama) -- A water hyacinth processing project that converts the invasive aquatic plant into organic fertiliser has created a new source of income for residents, particularly women, in Dalat district, said Sarawak Minister for Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah.

She said women involved in the project not only work at the processing centre but also earn additional income by collecting water hyacinth from rivers and selling it to the facility as raw material.

Fatimah said the project uses Black Soldier Fly (BSF) technology to recycle organic waste, including water hyacinth, into high-quality organic fertiliser and protein-rich animal feed.

"This initiative transforms an invasive plant that was once a problem for riverine communities into an economic resource that benefits residents," she said at the launch of the Organic Fertiliser and Animal Feed Centre in Dalat near here today.

She said 3,227 kilogrammes (kg) of water hyacinth had been collected this year for organic fertiliser production, with collectors receiving 40 sen per kg.

The initiative not only helps clear rivers of the aggressively growing plant but also creates income opportunities for residents involved in its collection and processing, she said.

Fatimah said the project had completed its first phase, which involved constructing a processing centre, procuring equipment, establishing initial stock and commencing operations in Kampung Kekan, Dalat.

Earlier, she launched the processing centre, which also serves as a Black Soldier Fly breeding farm and was developed through a collaboration between the Sarawak state government and Petronas to support rural development efforts.

She said the collected water hyacinth is used to produce biomass for breeding Black Soldier Fly larvae before the remaining plant matter is processed into organic fertiliser.

A total of 804 kg of organic fertiliser was produced last year, generating RM2,400 in sales, while 676 kg had been produced so far this year, with sales reaching RM2,119, she said.

Meanwhile, Petronas Sarawak general manager Norazibah Md Rabu said the Dalat community project reflected Petronas' commitment to supporting community wellbeing while advancing sustainable solutions to address local challenges.

-- BERNAMA