ULM Students Implement Biocycle System in Tapin, Encouraging Sustainable Agriculture
Banjarbaru – The presence of students from the Faculty of Agriculture at Lambung Mangkurat University (ULM) in Tapin Regency has brought renewed enthusiasm to the village community. Through the Community Service Program (KKN) “Building Villages,” they not only share the knowledge they have gained in college but also integrate themselves into the lives of the residents, explore local potential, and introduce sustainable agricultural innovations.
One example is Group 3, consisting of five students. This group’s main program involves implementing a Closed Farming System (COS), also known as a biocycle, in Linuh Village, Tapin Regency.
This program stems from the significant potential of the local village: the large number of goat farmers who have not yet optimally utilized their waste. Seeing this situation, the students initiated a method for utilizing goat manure into organic fertilizer that can be reused for community agriculture.
“During the program, we not only conducted outreach but also directly demonstrated fertilizer processing methods with the community. We hope this can become a sustainable solution to increase agricultural productivity in the village,” said Puspitarini.
In addition to the main program, the KKN group also introduced local potential in the form of processed gadung crackers. Gadung is a tuber found abundantly in the forests around the village and is known as a traditional food of maritime communities due to its high carbohydrate content.
However, because it contains cyanide, the processing process requires special techniques before it can be consumed. Students provided counseling and hands-on training to residents on safe processing methods to produce ready-to-eat gadung crackers.
For the students, the experience of living in the village was a valuable and memorable experience.
“It was really exciting. We learned a lot about the customs and life of the village community. This was a memorable experience, because we are usually used to living in the city,” said one group member.
Through this activity, the students hope their presence will bring long-term benefits to the community’s welfare, especially the economy.
“We hope that our presence will have a positive impact on the village, especially by introducing village products that have not yet been sold outside the region,” he concluded.
