The UAE could use the black soldier fly in its efforts to make Dubai the first city in the Middle East to achieve zero food waste.
The plan was discussed during a visit by Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, Minister of State for Future Food Security, to the National University of Singapore.
The visit looked at the applied research to utilize the black soldier fly in treating food waste and discussions were held into its commercial viability and potential application areas in the UAE to reduce food waste and enhance future food security.
The species is native to most regions, does not transmit diseases, and has the capacity to consume all food waste and transform that into two main by-products – high-protein animal feed and plant fertilizers.
Almheiri’s trip to Singapore included government visits to explore prospects of cooperation between the two countries in terms of food security in the lead-up to the launch of the UAE National Strategy for Future Food Security.
Singapore has introduced advanced food technologies including vertical and home farming. These technologies have established Singapore among the top 5 most food secure countries in the world, according to Global Food Security Index 2017.
The visit resulted in a host of plans and programmes that seek to facilitate the exchange of food security-related best practices and tactical implementation plans between the UAE and Singapore.
Last year Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum on Tuesday launched the UAE Food Bank project.
The UAE Food Bank, a non-profit charitable organisation committed to distributing food to those in need while eliminating food waste, aims to make Dubai the first city in the Middle East to achieve zero food waste.
It will collaborate with local authorities as well as local and international charities to introduce a comprehensive ecosystem improving the efficiency of food storage, packaging and distribution.
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