DALAT: A rural development initiative that converts invasive water hyacinth into organic fertiliser has emerged as a new source of income for local communities, marking a significant step in sustainable river management and circular economy efforts in Sarawak.
The project, jointly developed by Petroliam Nasional Bhd (PETRONAS) and the Sarawak government, also includes a Black Soldier Fly (BSF) breeding farm to support organic waste processing and animal feed production in phases.
Minister for Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development, Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah, said the initiative was born out of a pressing environmental issue affecting rivers across the state, where uncontrolled water hyacinth growth – locally known as teparok – has disrupted river transport, fishing activities and the aquatic ecosystem.
“It has become a significant problem in our rivers. It affects river users and river transportation. When it grows extensively along the riverbanks, it narrows the river and negatively impacts fishing activities as well as the river ecosystem,” she added.
She said this in her speech during the Organic Fertiliser Processing and Black Soldier Fly (BSF) Breeding Farm launching ceremony at the Welfare Complex Hall, Dalat here on Friday (June 19).
Fatimah, who is also the Dalat assemblywoman, explained that the solution required early engagement with PETRONAS under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme, as the project needed not only funding but also infrastructure, machinery, operating capital and technical training.
“We needed a building, machinery, and capital. We needed operating funds for at least one year, as well as training,” she said, adding that training support was provided through X-Community programme.
Fatimah said the idea was first tabled during a PETRONAS engagement programme in December 2021, followed by an official application in February 2022.
The proposal later secured PETRONAS approval in April 2023, amounting to RM2.25 million in CSR funding.
She said PETRONAS had stressed that the initiative must be structured as a community-based project rather than benefiting individuals.
“The project could not be designed to benefit only certain individuals. I now understand why PETRONAS insisted that it be a community project,” she said, adding that this requirement led to the formation of a local cooperative.
She said the project has now entered its operational stage, with the processing centre fully functional and initial production already underway.
For Koperasi Lestari Dalat Bhd, who oversees and manages the Organic Fertiliser Processing and Black Soldier Fly (BSF) Breeding Farm, Fatimah said the achievement marks only the beginning of a longer journey.
“We have transformed an idea into action and turned a problem into a source of livelihood for our community,” she added.
“Now the cooperative is preparing to move into its next phase of development, with broader benefits expected for rural communities, including women, youth and senior citizens.”
Fatimah also called for continued support to ensure the project’s success in addressing the aggressive growth of water hyacinth, while the initiative has already begun transforming the problem into a source of livelihood, particularly for women involved in collecting water hyacinth, and will also benefit cooperative members in the future.
“Alhamdulillah, this PETRONAS-supported project is for the well-being of the community,” he said.
