Timor-Leste Counters Malnutrition With Innovation
Photo by Benny Manser/CRS
In the face of climate change challenges, an unexpected hero is creating a buzz on fish farms in Timor-Leste: black soldier flies.
A black soldier fly bred as part of an innovative pilot project to boost fish productivity using sustainable, locally-produced feed in Timor-Leste.
Photo by Benny Manser/CRS
Once considered pests, these insects are now key to advancing fish farming and improving nutrition. Farmers attract and breed the fly’s larvae using food waste, turning them into nutrient-rich fish feed. This eco-friendly solution boosts fish production and builds climate resilience, improving farmers’ livelihoods.
Raimundo uses locally bred black soldier flies to feed his fish and hangs traps to attract the flies to his breeding shelter in Timor-Leste.
Photo by Benny Manser/CRS
An Opportunity to Improve Nutrition
Malnutrition is a significant problem in Timor-Leste, which has one of the lowest fish and seafood consumption rates in the Asia-Pacific region. By increasing household access to nutrient-rich fish like tilapia, communities can take steps to address these health issues and meet rising demand.
Tilapia fish feed on locally grown black soldier fly larvae in Raimundo's 12 ponds, which contain more than 4,800 fish.
Photo by Benny Manser/CRS
That’s where black soldier flies come in. Raimundo da Costa, a lifelong farmer from a remote village in Viqueque municipality, is a good example of how farmers are benefitting from breeding black soldier flies. When he was a traditional farmer, he experienced the harsh effects of extreme weather on agriculture.
“Climate change affected my crops in the field. When it is a long summer then most of the plants die, and heavy winds destroy the crops, so it is reducing crop production,” says Raimundo.
But Raimundo’s life changed for the better when he discovered the potential of breeding black soldier flies to feed fish.
Pond owner Raimundo feeds his tilapia fish, which are easy to breed in captivity, fast-growing, relatively affordable and a good source of nutrition.
Photo by Benny Manser/CRS
Raimundo joined the Aquaculture Fish Feed Study, funded by the Shah Family Innovation Lab at Purdue University and implemented by Catholic Relief Services. The study aims to increase fish production through alternative, locally-produced feeding methods.
Through the study, Raimundo learned to farm black soldier fly larvae, a skill he is eager to share with other farmers. He was trained to make liquid fertilizer and fermentation products to attract black soldier flies for egg laying and to produce larvae for fish feed. He also learned to prepare ponds by drying them out, removing mud and adding cow’s waste before filling them with water.
Raimundo prepares locally bred black soldier fly larvae, weighing them before feeding the fish in his 12 ponds.
Photo by Benny Manser/CRS
Implementing Innovative Practices
Raimundo embraced this innovative approach to fish farming. By using larvae as a sustainable and high-protein fish feed, he not only boosted fish production, but also enhanced climate resilience in his community. The first phase of the research involved various feeding treatments, including commercial pellets, food waste, and larvae combinations. The results were promising, demonstrating that fish fed with larvae consistently showed the highest weight and length gain.
“The results show every month that fish fed with larvae have good growth,” says Raimundo.
Compared to fish fed with commercial pellets and food waste, fish fed with black soldier fly larvae consistently show the highest weight and length gain.
Photo by Benny Manser/CRS
From Traditional Farming to Aquaculture
Raimundo previously grew corn, rice and cassava, but now dedicates his efforts to aquaculture. His transition from traditional farming to fish farming has provided a stable source of income, earning him $450 from two ponds during the first phase of the research. This income has improved his family’s quality of life, with his youngest son now attending college thanks to the income helping to pay his tuition.
“I used to work in rice paddies, but it takes a lot of effort compared to fish farming and from this farming I can meet my family’s basic needs and pay my children’s school fees,” says Raimundo.
An aerial view of Raimundo's 12 fishponds in Timor-Leste, where he uses locally bred black soldier fly larvae to feed his fish.
Photo by Domingos da Cruz/CRS
Future Prospects and Expansion
Following the pilot study’s success, 20 additional households have been added in Baucau and Viqueque municipalities. During the second phase of the study, Raimundo harvested over 412 pounds of fish from seven ponds, generating $935 in sales.
“In the future, I will sell in the market. There are a lot of people interested in buying fish, but I do not have enough production to respond to the demand,” he says.
Raimundo is optimistic about the future, aiming to increase black soldier fly production and construct more fishponds with support from the Timor-Leste Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fishery and Forestry.
“What to do in the future is to produce more black soldier flies so that I can produce more fish and to construct more fishponds as I think I am strong enough to do so,” he says.
Raimundo overlooks one of his 12 fish ponds where he raises tilapia for commercial sales. For him,fish farming has proved a reliable income producer.
Photo by Benny Manser/CRS
Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience
The use of larvae in fish farming not only improves communities’ nutrition and livelihood opportunities, but also supports climate resilience in several ways:
- Fish farming is less dependent on weather conditions compared to traditional agriculture, making it a more reliable source of income and food.
- Farmers can diversify their income through aquaculture.
- Increased fish production ensures a steady supply of nutritious food, which is crucial during times of climate-induced food shortages.
- Communities can improve their understanding of and capacity for sustainable livelihoods practices, making them more resilient to climate impacts.
Raimundo and his wife have 12 fishponds, providing a stable source of income that has improved their family’s quality of life and enabled their youngest son to attend college.
Photo by Benny Manser/CRS
Importance of Aquaculture in Timor-Leste
Raimundo’s journey from traditional farming to innovative aquaculture shows how using black soldier fly larvae contributes to improving nutrition and food security, while enhancing climate resilience in Timor-Leste. Expanding fish farming initiatives and improving access to high-protein fish can play a vital role in reducing malnutrition. With the support of innovative practices and community engagement, Timor-Leste can pave the way for a healthier and more resilient future.
