Depok, July 7th 2023. In carrying out the Three Principles of Higher Education (Tri Dharma Perguruan Tinggi), the Research and Community Service Unit of Universitas Indonesia (UI) through the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA) distributed compost-type fertilizer processed from the biodigester Parangtopo Laboratory FMIPA UI, free of charge to 25 residents of RT 04/06, Jatijajar Village, Tapos District, Depok.
The team in charge of the Biodigester Laboratory Field, Gamma Abdul Jabbar, M.Sc., said this activity was to support loosening the soil on the residents’ land by using environmentally friendly compost so that the soil functions optimally for planting a variety of productive plants.
The “Parangtopo Peduli Waste to Energy Laboratory” activity was attended by residents who are fostered by the Indonesia Berseru Association which is an institution that has dedicated its work in the field of campaigns for social change. The residents were dominated by housewives who are educated to cultivate vegetables such as tomatoes, mustard greens, chillies, and spinach independently. A total of 50 bags of fertilizer were distributed weighing 3 kg each.
“The compost is a product of anaerobic processing from a mixture of dry leaves and remaining organic waste. Therefore, this compost does not use other materials other than those produced from nature,” said Gamma.
He added, the potential of biodigester fertilizer produced from processing organic waste in the UI Campus environment had previously been tested on plants in an experimental garden created in the Parangtopo Laboratory area of FMIPA UI, for the cultivation of eggplant, peanut, bok choy, and water spinach, both conventionally and with a hydroponic system. “From the results of the experiments conducted, it was seen that the plants tested showed a good response to several treatments,” said Gamma.
The process of making compost at Parangtopo Laboratory FMIPA UI is carried out using Fixed Dome Digester Compose technology in an anaerobic manner. From the studies that have been conducted, it was found that the best ratio between organic waste, dry leaf waste, and animal waste is 5:5:2. Based on the results of the analysis, there were no hazardous chemicals that could pollute the environment, and most of the thresholds for the fertilizer category were met.
Gamma hoped that the fertilizer distributed at the activity held on Friday (23/6) can help meet the fertilizer needs of the residents of RT 04/06, Jatijajar Village, District, Tapos, Depok, in the process of learning vegetable cultivation. That way, residents are more motivated in producing superior quality vegetables that can be enjoyed individually or as a group.
Wahyudi as the Head of the Neighbourhood (Ketua RT), expressed his appreciation and gratitude to the FMIPA UI team for distributing the processed compost from the Parangtopo FMIPA UI biodigester laboratory. He said these environmentally friendly fertilizers were very useful and helpful for residents who were just starting to learn vegetable cultivation. “This assistance is advantageous for us. Besides being environmentally friendly, this organic fertilizer is also very good for loosening the planting media,” said Wahyudi.
