In the heart of Bali, co-founders Ima Rida (CMO) and Soma Roland (CEO), a young couple driven by purpose, are transforming how communities process organic waste. Magifarm, a social enterprise focused on organic waste management using black soldier fly (BSF) maggots, has grown from a modest home-based operation into one of the island’s most talked-about waste management initiatives. In just one year, with support from multistakeholders including New Energy Nexus Indonesia, Magifarm has expanded its reach, refined its business model, and demonstrated how local innovation can create solutions that work for both people and the environment.
Growth through education tours, Workshops, and exposure
Magifarm’s operations have multiplied since 2023. Their new facility in Padanggalak is now four times larger than the original workshop, hosting hands-on training sessions, workshops, and increasingly popular educational tours.
During Bali’s high season, Magifarm welcomes two to three groups every week. Visitors, including international tourists, pay to learn how food scraps can be turned into valuable compost through maggot. The tour fees are shared with staff as bonuses, providing extra income and pride in showcasing local innovation.
The initiative has also caught the eye of national media. After New Energy Nexus Indonesia first profiled Magifarm, platforms such as Current Media followed with their own coverage, highlighting the grassroots story of a startup tackling Bali’s waste problem.
A village starts with ripple effects
Magifarm’s journey took a significant turn in 2024 when the startup partnered with TPS3R Kertalangu, a village-level waste management center. Supported by funding and technical guidance from New Energy Nexus Indonesia, the project introduced maggot-based composting that allowed communities to process their organic waste locally.
The success inspired other organizations, including Yayasan Rumah Berdaya Saraswati (YRBS), to replicate the model in their own communities. This ripple effect expanded Magifarm’s reach and introduced new revenue-sharing mechanisms. In Gianyar, for instance, clients are now connected through community partners, creating a decentralized network of waste solutions rooted in local ownership.
Building a smarter digital strategy
Magifarm’s growth hasn’t only been physical. This year, they joined New Energy Nexus Indonesia’s Mentor-in-Residence program, led by Stefanus, a digital marketing specialist, to rethink their communication and digital marketing strategy. Magifarm is making major changes in how they communicate with their potential supporters.
Initially, Ima hesitated to join the mentorship. Her past experiences had felt too broad to be useful. But Stefanus took a different approach. He began with a full audit of Magifarm’s digital presence, reviewing Instagram and LinkedIn performance, assessing their messaging, and pointing out gaps.
“At first, we just posted content without any strategy,” Ima, Magifarm’s co-founder, explained. “When we saw how effective New Energy Nexus Indonesia’s LinkedIn was, we asked for advice. That led to mentorship.”
From the very first session, the feedback was practical and specific. “We finally understood what was missing,” Ima said. “Even though we’d been using Instagram for a while, there was so much we hadn’t tapped into. We didn’t know how to use the insights. Now we do.”