Bakrie University Supports Zero Waste and Agrotourism in NTB

VIVA English SIte – The Provincial Government of West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) and Bakrie University collaborated to support NTB in the zero-waste program and agrotourism. Previously, the NTB government had launched the "Zero Waste and Agrotourism Integration in Sustainable Agriculture through Black Soldier Fly (BSF) Larvae Cultivation" in Mataram on Wednesday, October 5, 2022.

On the same occasion, the Provincial Government of West Nusa Tenggara and Bakrie University handed over MoUs related to the cooperation.

Through Bakrie University Matching Fund Kedaireka 2022 program was initiated by Bakrie University researchers in partnership with Dompet Dhuafa, focusing on environmentally friendly solutions and the application of a circular economy to support the creation of sustainable agriculture and tourism by cultivating black fly soldiers or BSF.

BSF utilizes magot to break down waste into compost or pellets for animal feed and fuel for power plants. It is a solution to overcome organic waste, as well as get benefits.

"The integration of zero waste and agro-tourism is a form of collaboration and application of innovations produced in universities as a solution to solving the problem of waste generation as well as realizing sustainable agriculture and tourism," the Head of Matching Fun Kedaireka 2022 at Bakrie University, Deffi Ayu Puspito Sari explained.

Deffi Ayu Puspito explained the many benefits of animal feed produced through its decomposition by magot or BSF.

"Animal feed from BSF larvae can reduce the cost of providing animal feed and substitute ordinary animal feed with nutrient-rich feed," Deffi Ayu Puspito remarked.

Furthermore, the location of BSF cultivation can be used as a place of education for the community to learn to manage waste.

The purpose of this program was explained for more communities and the independence of business actors in the agricultural sector in NTB to take part in responding to the problem of waste generation by utilizing the potential of local resources.

Deputy Chancellor II of U-Bakrie, Muhammad Tri Andika Kurniawan, said that Bakrie University as the second-best private university in Indonesia has always supported innovation programs for the country. BFS is one of the programs that are useful in dealing with garbage.

"This is a unique and developed innovation. The innovations that we produce have been implemented in Bakrie Group companies," Muhammad Tri Andika Kurniawan remarked.

Besides working together in waste management, Bakrie University also offers West Nusa Tenggara cooperation in the field of education.

"We chose NTB as our partner. We are ready to assist magot innovation and waste management. We also offer cooperation in the field of education," he added.

The Deputy Governor of NTB, Sitti Rohmi Djalilah, said that she was very happy to be at the forum organized by Bakrie University because she had an effort to make NTB free from waste.

She said the zero dedoro (Sasak language; waste) program is not easy and has long-term results. There was already a BFS program in NTB, but it has not become an industry and is only like ordinary waste management so far. She hopes that in the future all districts and cities will have magot houses.

"Because handle waste is the responsibility of the city district, not the provincial government. We have to manage this organic waste because it can be a source of disease if not handled," Sitti Rohmi said.

“Our strategy is to encourage tourist villages to focus. Many people visit our place, it can't be dirty, people can't get sick, and obviously, they have to be smart," Sitti Rohmi added.