TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER OF ORGANIC WASTE PROCESSING INTO ECO-ENZYMES BY UM BIOTECHNOLOGY LECTURERS FOR SAMAR VILLAGE RESIDENTS ACOMPLISHES SDGS POINTS 13 AND 15

Community service is the implementation of knowledge aimed at addressing societal issues. Universitas Negeri Malang is committed to engaging in these community service activities as part of the Tri Dharma of Higher Education. One of the initiatives has been undertaken by a team of lecturers and students from the Biotechnology Study Program of FMIPA UM in the village of Samar, Tulungagung Regency, where the main training event took place on Monday, June 10, 2024.

As a fostered village of UM, the women of the Samar village PKK group mentioned that, until now, fruit and vegetable waste from daily cooking activities has just been discarded. The Biotechnology Program team from UM saw an opportunity to utilize this organic waste to produce eco-enzymes. “The fermentation technique used in the production of eco-enzymes will result in a brown, acidic liquid that can be used as a multi-purpose solution, ranging from a cleaning agent to an insecticide and even a fertilizer,” said Dr. Norman Yoshi Haryono, the head of the activity team, to the participants.

A positive response was shown by the participants during the dissemination session, where they were directly trained in the relatively easy process of making eco-enzymes. Enthusiasm was also displayed by Mr. Rubik Astono, the Head of Samar Village, who advised all participants of this community service activity, “My hope is that the women can continue making eco-enzymes at home and that this training activity doesn’t end today. Moreover, if the production of eco-enzymes can be coordinated into one of the flagship products of Samar Village,” he concluded. This community service activity, focusing on processing waste into marketable products, represents UM’s support in realizing the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly concerning climate action (point 13) and life on land (point 15).