New Energy Nexus (NEX) Indonesia and MagiFarm, held a workshop titled “Kelola Sampah Organik Secara Cerdas dengan BSF” Thursday (17/04/2025).
The event, set against the backdrop of a Balinese temple surrounded by lush greenery and cultural symbolism, marked the kickoff of the Lokakarya Kewirausahaan & Inovasi Iklim series under NEX’s broader Matangi Bali program – a movement rooted in the Balinese philosophy of awakening (“Matangi”) and reviving harmony between people and nature.
Attended by a diverse group of participants – ranging from sustainability practitioners to curious citizens and representatives of Himpunan Wanita Disabilitas Indonesia (Denpasar), SRE Universitas Udayana, and other community-based organizations, the workshop explored an increasingly urgent issue: Bali’s growing organic waste problem.
At the center of this discussion was MagiFarm’s breakthrough approach, utilizing Black Soldier Flies (BSF) to transform organic waste into high-quality compost and animal feed. Ima Rida, co-founder of MagiFarm, opened the session by sharing their origin story – an honest reflection on the realities of building a green business in Bali, the systemic waste crisis the island faces, and the immense potential of sustainable innovations when supported by the right ecosystem.
“I thought it was going to be a quiet room,” Ima later told us.
But the audience really surprised me with their questions - critical, curious, and truly engaged. It made me reflect on how we can improve further at MagiFarm.”
As the session moved into a live site visit of MagiFarm’s facility, curiosity turned into awe. Participants witnessed firsthand the lifecycle of BSF – from eggs to larvae – and watched as the maggots rapidly consumed kitchen waste in a matter of minutes.
Those brave enough got their hands dirty – quite literally – by feeding and even holding the wriggling larvae themselves. “It’s not just about learning,” one participant noted, “it’s about reconnecting with nature, with the systems we often ignore, and with the power of community-led solutions.”
The event is part of a larger effort under the Matangi Bali program – an initiative launched by New Energy Nexus Indonesia in 2022 through the Bali Women Climate Entrepreneur Project, and supported by a coalition that includes CAST Foundation, IESR, WRI Indonesia, and the Climateworks Foundation.
At its core, Matangi Bali seeks to build a comprehensive entrepreneurship ecosystem – one that integrates local wisdom, empowers women and youth, and fosters homegrown innovations to address climate and energy challenges across the island.
“We hope this event can inspire participants and provide firsthand insights into Bali’s waste issues from the perspective of practitioners actively working on the ground.” said Kadek Alamsta, Program Manager of Matangi Bali. “We’re especially proud to see the diversity among participants – in gender, background, and expertise.”
The timing couldn’t be more relevant. Bali’s local government has recently issued a regulation (Pergub) that specifically endorses BSF-based organic waste treatment – something Ima believes will unlock new pathways for MagiFarm and others like them.
This session is just the beginning. More workshops under the Lokakarya Kewirausahaan & Inovasi Iklim series are on the horizon. To stay updated on future sessions, follow New Energy Nexus Indonesia’s digital channels.
Share this article
Share on facebook
Facebook
Share on twitter
Twitter
Share on linkedin
LinkedIn
Share on whatsapp
Whatsapp
