The Mayor and staff of a progressive Philippines local government unit have welcomed research by University of Queensland Master of Agribusiness students on real world scenarios facing their unit.
The students held a Skype meeting with personnel from the San Simon Local Government Unit, including Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research staff, to share their research findings about managing pig waste.
Senior research fellow in the School of Agriculture and Food Sciences Dr Francois Visser said the students reports had now been assessed, but also served a dual purpose in providing information to San Simon.
“The students acquitted themselves well at the meeting, sharing details about converting pig waste into liquid fertiliser, a process also useful for dealing with chicken waste,” he said.
“Students also discussed a project about using black soldier fly larvae to minimise pig waste. These larvae pose no danger to humans as they have no mouth parts.
“The output product can also be fed to ducks, chickens, pigs and fish, presenting opportunities for pig farmers, chicken growers and fish owners.”
Mayor Leonora Wong said the findings were quite interesting and she welcomed any idea or technology that was new. She said San Simon could be a model municipality for such research.
San Simon LGU research consultant on solid waste management Ms Rhoda Tayag said although the environmental conditions in Queensland were different from the Philippines, the way the project was explained was based on the local Philippines context.
“The students’ report has captured the attention of the staff in the Mayor’s office and has been been accepted positively by the municipal mayor,” Ms Tayag said.
“The students’ presentation has opened the mind of the LGU about the significance of research in policy making.”
LGU project development officer Mr Toni Gutierrez will share the students’ project about anaerobic digestion with staff involved in a hog-fattening project.
Meeting attendees included senior research fellow in the School of Veterinary Science Dr Tamsin Barnes who is working on an Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research project to improve production and competitiveness of Australian and Philippines pig production through better health and biosecurity.
Media: Dr Francois Visser, f.visser@uq.edu.au, +61 7 54601 320.
