[MBKM] On Thursday, May 23, 2024, The MBKM Research and Community Service Team “BIOFERMED (Biofertilizer and Bioremediation)” conducted a program socialization on the utilization of biofertilizer for controlling anthracnose and remediating fungicide residues in chili plants at Lumbung Mataraman, Kedungpoh, Gunungkidul. The Biofermed team consists of Fharsya Febrildha, Rindha Amarsita, Siti Muyassaroh, Ronald Wihan Pradana, and Tiffa Kusuma Dewi, under the guidance of Dwi Umi Siswanti, S.Si., M.Sc. This program was the continuation of the Independent Learning Independent Campus (MBKM) program in 2021, 2022, and 2023 in Kedungpoh Village, Nglipar, Gunungkidul.
The community service program focuses on expanding the use of biofertilizers for controlling anthracnose in chili plants in the paddy fields and greenhouse of Lumbung Mataraman. The program was motivated by the anthracnose disease affecting chili plants at Lumbung Mataraman and the lack of organic control solutions. The MBKM research program emphasizes the use of biofertilizer as a remediation agent for inorganic fungicide residues in chili plants at Lumbung Mataraman. Research on fungicide residue bioremediation is driven by the extensive use of inorganic fungicides from various brands in Lumbung Mataraman, impacting harvest safety.
The socialization began with a program plan presentation by Dwi Umi Siswanti, S.Si., M.Sc., which includes training on producing biofertilizers from cow urine and its application. ‘’Biofertilizers from cow urine containing various microbial species, expected to effectively and efficiently control anthracnose in Lumbung Mataraman and reduce inorganic fungicide residues that have been used,” said Dwi during the presentation. The program partners include ten groups of the Women Farmers Group of Kedungpoh and the managers of Lumbung Mataraman. The partners were enthusiastic about the programs presented by the team. “We have been eagerly awaiting programs from the Faculty of Biology,” said the Kedungpoh village head on behalf of the partners.
Didik Purnomo, Director of Lumbung Mataraman, mentioned that the Biofermed team would support the Women Farmers Group (KWT) from ten hamlets coordinated by Tri Wahyuni. The Women Farmers Group of Kedungpoh eagerly anticipated collaboration with the Biofermed team, the group already prepared for chili cultivation. “We are ready to plant chili using Bu Wawien’s biofertilizer formula and await further guidance,” said Tri Wahyuni, one of the agricultural leaders in Kedungpoh recognized as the Woman Initiator in Agriculture 2024 for Gunungkidul Regency.
This activity aligns with SDGs numbers 3 (Good Health and Well-being), 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), 15 (Life on Land), and partnerships to achieve goal 17.