The UGM Student Organization Strengthening Program Team, through the Village Development Grant Program, organized a training on making fertilizer using Nitrobacter for the Banjararum Farmers Group in Kulon Progo Regency, Yogyakarta.
The activity, which took place in the Banjararum Village, Kulon Progo Regency, on September 17, 2023, collaborated with the Young Farmers Community (KPM) from Klaten, Central Java.
The training aimed to enhance the knowledge and insights of farmers as part of the “Among Tani” young farmer workshop curriculum.
Additionally, this activity is part of UGM’s efforts to provide inclusive education for all sectors to strengthen the community’s capacity, promoting improved quality of life and welfare to accelerate sustainable development goals.
Team member Claudia explained that Nitrobacter propagation promotion is one of the agendas in the “Among Tani” program, which focuses on the production and application of Nitrobacter for the agricultural sector.
The activity involved the Banjararum Village community, including youth, farmers groups, and other local community members.
“So, the residents not only receive material presentations but also have the opportunity to practice making Nitrobacter fertilizer together,” she said.
The training began with opening remarks from local community leaders and Dr. Wulan Tri Astuti, the accompanying lecturer.
In her speech, Wulan encouraged the UGM team to continue enthusiastically carrying out community service activities, particularly in assisting with producing Nitrobacter fertilizer for the residents of Banjararum, Kulon Progo.
She also hoped the shared knowledge would be implemented and broadly impact the local community, especially the young farmers’ groups in Banjararum.
Ikhsan, a Klaten Young Farmers Community representative, explained Nitrobacter’s role as a decomposer and its function as an organic fertilizer.
He also mentioned that Nitrobacter development and the production of plant growth regulators, botanical pesticides, and liquid organic fertilizers (LOF) can be done using readily available environmental materials.
“Nitrobacter is chosen because it is easy to propagate and use. Furthermore, Nitrobacter has been proven effective in improving soil conditions for better plant growth,” he said.
Ikhsan also explained the materials and stages involved in Nitrobacter development. According to him, the tools and materials needed are relatively easy to obtain, including plastic jerry cans, stirrers, sugar cane juice, urea fertilizer, Nitrobacter culture, and water.
The propagation process involves mixing sugar cane juice and urea with water, then pouring the mixture into jerry cans filled with water. Next, the solution is stirred evenly and left for seven days before use.
The community appeared very enthusiastic about participating in the training. Gino, the Head of the Banjararum Farmers Group, stated that Nitrobacter propagation was something new for the people of Banjararum.
“The propagation process is easy, and we hope Banjararum farmers can apply the results obtained in the future,” he said.
Author: Ika
Photo: UGM Nitrobacter Fertilizer Training Team