IPB University KKN-T Students Optimize Water Hyacinth Blooming Innovation into Organic Fertilizer
Water hyacinth is often underestimated by some people. In fact, this freshwater plant has many uses, especially in agriculture. This is what prompted the students of IPB University's Community Service Program-Thematic (KKN-T) in Rowosari Village, Bonorowo Subdistrict, Kebumen, Central Java to conduct activities to utilize water hyacinth into organic fertilizer.
Tigor Maulana as the head of the IPB University KKN-T team in Rowosari Village said that the KKN-T program focused on optimizing the potential and empowering the community in order to advance Rowosari Village, Kebumen to become an advanced and outstanding village in the field of agriculture.
"This work program begins with socialization activities on the various potentials of water hyacinth, such as organic fertilizer and continued with direct practice in the field," said Tigor Maulana during the activity at Rowosari Village Hall recently.
He continued, this activity is expected to prevent flooding in Rowosari Village due to the accumulation of water hyacinth. The community can also utilize water hyacinth fertilizer so that plants can thrive.
On that occasion, Rowosari Village Head, Teguh Wiyono said, the problems related to water hyacinth have not been resolved every year, so floods often occurred. "Hopefully, the socialization and making of water hyacinth fertilizer can be useful for agriculture and reduce flooding problems," he hoped.
In the practice, making water hyacinth organic fertilizer is made by combining chopped water hyacinth, crystal guava, rice bran, EM4, molasses, straw and manure. KKN-T Innovation IPB University students and the community managed to make 300 kilograms of water hyacinth organic fertilizer which will later be dried and applied to plants in Rowosari Village.
Nur Sodikin, as a community leader engaged in agriculture, said he was happy with this activity. According to him, this program is very useful, especially for farmer groups.
"Thank you to the IPB University Innovation KKN-T students who have held socialization activities. Hopefully, after this activity, the community and farmer groups can independently make organic fertilizer from water hyacinth," he said.
The activity was attended by village government officials, members of the family welfare empowerment group (PKK) and members of the farmer group. It is hoped that the socialization and hands-on practice of making water hyacinth fertilizer can increase knowledge and maximize agricultural yields in Rowosari Village. (*/Rz) (IAAS/MKY)
