During our field trip to the Pusat Inovasi Agroteknologi (PIAT) at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), we explored innovative solutions to address Indonesia’s ongoing waste management challenges. The issue of imperfect waste management has become increasingly pressing, especially with the closure of the garbage landfill in Yogyakarta this year. This has highlighted the urgency of improving waste processing, which ideally begins at the household level or on a small scale.

At UGM’s RINDU plant, we witnessed firsthand the advancements in waste processing. The facility’s transformation of the landfill site was impressive, showcasing the before-and-after scenarios demonstrating their methods’ effectiveness. Food waste, a significant component of the waste stream, is managed at UGM using Black Soldier Flies and Maggot troops. This innovative approach reduces waste and provides sustainable solutions for feed production.

Drying process of Black Soldier Fly Larvae (Maggot BSF) for Animal Feed

Speaker: Arif Mujarab, PIAT, Universitas Gadjah Mada

Arif Mujarab, a worker at the Pusat Inovasi Agroteknologi Terpadu (PIAT) at Universitas Gadjah Mada, with two children and several years of experience, provided an overview of the process for drying black soldier fly larvae (BSF) to create animal feed. He explained that the process starts with selecting fresh, live maggots, which are then cleaned and weighed. Although the drying machine at PIAT has a capacity of 5 kilograms, he demonstrated the process using 2 kilograms for quicker results. The maggots are placed in a drying or roasting machine, and the drying process takes around 45 minutes. At the 20-minute mark, the maggots are checked for dryness, and the process continues until they are fully dried and ready for use as feed.

BSF maggot need to be separated into 3 different sizes, the smallest ones are not capable enough to digest organic matter. so they need to be cultivated in order to have a bigger size. the biggest size one are capable to digest all organic matter. the organic matter such as food waste but it needed longer time to proccess the hard part like eggshell.

Manufacturing Bottle Caps Using Recycled Materials

Speaker: Surono

Surono, who has worked at the facility for 13 years and is a father of two daughters, one of whom is preparing to enter college, discussed the manufacturing process of bottle caps using recycled materials. He described how plastic materials are first shredded into smaller pieces and then heated to a temperature of approximately 180 degrees Celsius for 15 to 17 minutes. Once heated, the materials are pressed and held under pressure for about 5 minutes. The formed bottle caps are then removed from the mold, completing the process.

Internship Experience in Energy and Waste Processing at PIAT

Speaker: Muhammad Ridwan Alfin, Marine Science Department, Universitas Padjadjaran

Muhammad Ridwan Alfin, a student from the Marine Science Department at Universitas Padjadjaran, completed a four-day internship at the Pusat Inovasi Agroteknologi Terpadu (PIAT) at Universitas Gadjah Mada. During his internship, he gained hands-on experience in energy and waste processing, which contrasted with his classroom learning. The practical fieldwork allowed him to apply his academic knowledge directly. He also emphasized the importance of teamwork, which he experienced throughout the internship, and noted that this opportunity has equipped him with valuable skills for his future career.

Our visit included practical experiences, such as hatching maggot eggs and participating in the collection, sorting, drying, and packing of maggots for feed. We also learned how to create eco-enzymes from organic food waste, an initiative that promotes sustainability and environmental responsibility. Additionally, the opportunity to hatch chicken eggs and interact with deer was a delightful experience, adding a fun and educational aspect to our visit.

UGM PIAT is truly making remarkable strides in waste management and sustainability. Their commitment to innovation and education is evident, and it was inspiring to see their efforts in action.

At PIAT FTP UGM, black soldier fly larvae are used for the waste conversation. So first we introduced the BSF life cycle. From egg to produce larvae it takes 7 days. This is one of the easiest and most popular processes in the world. For sustainable waste management, this plant collects waste from the UGM campus area. Then they sort out the waste in different categories like waste from food, waste from plastic etc. At Rindu plant, first food wastes the grinding at grinder machines and then when it comes to powder form they mix milk and some other ingredients to make quality full fertilisers. And lastly there also has a machinery for making granular forms of fertiliser. They shared that this eco-friendly waste management is really profitable. 

This morning, August 5th 2024, at 08.00 Western Indonesia Time (GMT+7), marked the 7th day of the Summer Course (SC) 2024 held by the Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Universitas Gadjah Mada.

There were 4 speakers, 3 online and 1 on-site. The first lecture was on Water Management and Quality for the Agricultural System, moderated by Dr. Prieskarinda Lestari from FAT UGM. Prof. Gary R. Sands, Ph.D., Professor from University of Minnesota USA, explained the global distribution of agricultural areas and the global land used for food production. He mentioned the challenge and obstacles of global water issues especially in the agricultural sector and elaborated the solution as well as the opportunity for reducing agriculture’s water footprint to restore water quantity and quality. 

Before continuing to the next session, we had a coffee break from 09.45-10.15. The second lecture was on Irrigation and Climate Change, moderated by Muhammad Khoiru Zaki, Ph.D from FAT UGM. Prof. Dr. Ki Hee Ryu, Professor from Seoul National University South Korea, explained the global trends for irrigation in climate change mentioning Sustainable Development Goals Target 1 (no poverty), 2 (zero hunger), 6 (clean water and sanitation). He elaborated the effort for irrigation modernization in Indonesia both the challenges and the opportunities.

The second session ended at 12.00 then we moved to the next session which was lunch break and prayer time. The plenary started at 13.00 for the third lecture on Plant Factory, moderated by Imam Bagus Nugroho, M.Sc. from FAT UGM. Dr. Md. Parvez Islam from Ehime University, Japan explained artificial intelligence in agriculture. He showed many graphs about population, grain production and land used in Japan. He elaborated the challenges in the agriculture sector worldwide and the modern way to solve agricultural problems such as automation, AI, and robots to achieve the future vision of the society 5.0 plant factory.

The fourth session started after a 30 minute coffee break around 15.00. It was about Smart Farming and Climate Change, moderated by Bayu Nugraha, Ph.D. from FAT UGM. Bayu Dwi Apri Nugroho (on-site speaker) from FAT UGM explained the basics of climate change, the effect of climate change in the agriculture sector. He mentioned his latest interest in using technology for smart farming systems such as AI to forecast environmental conditions, drone, and smartphone application.

This morning, August 4th 2024, at 10.30 Western Indonesia Time (GMT+7), marked the official opening ceremony of the Summer Course (SC) 2024 held by the Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Universitas Gadjah Mada.

Dr Agung Putra Pamungkas delivered an opening speech welcoming all the participants from over 15 countries. This year, the SC 2024 carries a theme: Adaptive Technology for Sustainable Agroindustrial Sector in a Response to Climate Change. SC 2024 is a hybrid course consisting of two sessions: pre-course (asynchronous) and course (synchronous). All participants have undergone the pre-course sessions for the last five days from July 29th to August 2nd 2024. During the next seven days, from August 4th to August 10th 2024, the participants will go through course sessions consisting of lectures and trips to the field research station. He hoped the participants would enjoy a productive learning experience on several topics, ranging from on-farm technologies, agroforestry, food processing, food waste recycling and sustainable supply chains.

Dr Wiratni Budhijanto, the Secretary of the Directorate of Partnerships and Global Relations UGM, also gave an opening speech to welcome the participants. She also mentioned the unique position of UGM in Yogyakarta. She hinted at the community’s wisdom in tackling problems of agriculture and climate change using different perspectives: technological, cultural and even spiritual. She also spoke briefly about sharing knowledge, making memories, friendships and possible collaborations in the future.

Professor Dr. Yudi Pranoto, S.T.P., M.P., the Vice Dean of Academic and Student Affairs, Faculty of Agricultural Technology (FAT) UGM, welcomed the participants and officially opened the Summer Course 2024. He also elaborated on the many academic activities in FAT UGM, committing to learning, research and community service excellence.

Two online lectures followed the opening ceremony. The first lecture was on Fecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT) for Livestock Animals Wellbeing, moderated by Putrika Citta Pramesi, M.Sc. from FAT UGM. Dr Jahidul Islam, Associate Professor from Tohoku University Japan, explained the FMT technologies to alleviate disease incidence and reduce antibiotic usage for curing diseased calves. He elaborated on the possible delivery mechanism of FMT using formulated prebiotics, which can alter dysbiosis in calves. The FMT implementation aimed to restore the balance of gut microbiota and improve the health status of livestock animals.

The second lecture was on Carbon Measurement for Mitigating Climate Change, moderated by Dr Ahdiar Fikri Maulana from Vocational College UGM. Dr Rebecca Hood-Nowotny from BOKU Vienna, Austria, described the essentials of soil as the medium to store carbon. Carbon, in the form of carbon dioxide and methane, contributes to climate change. The biotic elements, such as plants, bacteria and fungi, convert the labile pool of carbon into a stable pool using a mechanism called carbon entombing. She elaborated more on the biotic-mediated contribution of carbon pumps to storing carbon in the soil. Finally, she explained how to increase soil health while also improving the carbon storage in the soil using biochar.

The 5th Summer Course that was organized by the committee from the Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Universitas Gadjah Mada has entered the final day held on August 13th, 2023. This last day of the summer course is the peak of the event. The series of these events first is the session from the speaker Prof. Dr. Kuncoro Harto Widodo, S.T.P., M.Eng. from the Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Universitas Gadjah Mada. The session starts at 07.00 a.m. (GMT+7). The speaker brought up the topic of Smart Logistics for Sustainable Food Sovereignty in Industry 5.0. More about the topic are the food system, food sovereignty, sustainability, smart logistics from concept to evolution, and global trends. From the food system, we got information that the food system wheel consists of the main objective, core system, societal elements, and natural elements. From food sovereignty, we know that food sovereignty does not negate trade, but rather it promotes the formulation of trade policies and practices that serve the rights of people to food and safe, healthy, and ecologically sustainable production. Sustainability has 3 pillars, which are social impact, environmental impact, and economic impact. All of the pillars are connected and related to form sovereignty in the food system. From the industry 5.0 is related to personalization humanization and gives more impact and can be implemented in industry. The last point is smart logistics. The evolution of supply chain management is shifting from one ticket to many tickets. Moreover, a supply network is developed by connecting multiple supply chains. The digital supply chain ecosystem helps us to overcome many problems in the traditional supply chain.

After the session from Prof. Dr. Kuncoro Harto Widodo, S.T.P., M.Eng. all the participants have to do independent study such as material review. While studying independently, the committee prepared for the closing ceremony of the 5th Summer Course. Then, at 10.00 a.m. (GMT+7), was the closing ceremony. The closing ceremony session opened with the closing remarks by Dean of the Agricultural Technology Faculty of Universitas Gadjah Mada, Prof. Dr. Ir. Eni Harmayani, M.Sc. After that, the closing remark from Alfatika Aunuriella Dini, S.H., M.Kn., Ph.D. from the Head of Office of International Affairs, Universitas Gadjah Mada. Then from the Head of Committee 5^th Summer Course, Makbul Hajad, S.T.P., M.Eng., Ph.D. played the closing video of 5^th Summer Course. Inside the video, there are speeches of impression messages from Dr. Bibhu Santosh Behera from Livingstone International University of Tourism Excellence and Business Management, Zambia; from Mohamad Tajuddin bin Sabri from Universiti Putra Malaysia, Malaysia as a participant; from Vira Christie Miracle Panggabean from Universitas Gadjah Mada, Indonesia as a participant.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After the closing video, the 5th Summer Course has been closed. However, all the participants continued to the next session with their final presentation with their group. All the participants were divided into three breakout rooms. Each group was waiting for their turn to present the group discussion results. All of the groups were enthusiastic to present their results. After all the groups presented their results, the 5^th Summer Course Faculty of Agricultural Technology Universitas Gadjah Mada.

 

 

The 6th day of the 5th Smart Agro-industry Summer Course was held successfully on August 12th, 2023. On this day, two national and two international speakers participated in online lectures. The first session was by Prof. Dr. Eng. Kuwat Triyana, M.Si., from the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences UGM and Anggoro Cahyo Sukartiko, S.T.P., M.P., Ph.D. as the moderator. The next session was by an Indonesian researcher from the Research Center for Food Technology and Processing, National Research and Innovation Agency (NRIA – BRIN), Dr.rer.nat. Andri Frediansyah, S.Si., M.Sc. and moderated by Imam Bagus Nugroho, S.Si., M.Sc. The afternoon session continued with talks of Prof. Kune-Muh Tsai from the National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology. The moderator on duty was Moh. Wahyudin, S.T.P, M.Sc. The closing session was a lecture by Dr. Edita Jurak from the Faculty of Science and Engineering, The University of Groningen, while Imam Bagus Nugroho, S.Si., M.Sc. led the discussion.

The topic of Prof Kuwat’s lecture was Smart Sensors Technology and Development for Implementation in Agro-Industry. He started his explanation by introducing one of Universitas Gadjah Mada’s great inventions during the COVID-19 pandemic, GeNose, the sensor technologies for detecting COVID-19 patients. After that, he tried to explain the working principle and the application of the electronic tongue (e-tongue) and elaborated it well on the food system, as the technology is a versatile tool in food analysis, enabling accurate and objective assessment of taste and flavor attributes. The applications extend across quality control, safety monitoring, product development, authenticity verification and even environmental analysis.

The lectures on the 6th day were not only about artificial intelligence technologies and e-tongue, but they were also about food microbiology and biotechnology. The next session was by Dr.rer.nat. Andri Frediansyah, S.Si., M.Sc. on Food Processing Using Microbes: From Lab to Industry. To give a basic understanding, he explained the basic concept of microbiology and the role of microorganisms in food fermentation as one of the oldest methods for transforming and preserving food in the industry. In addition, he also explained the challenges that probiotics had to face as fermentation products with high levels of demand. The microbial revolution in the food industry using cutting-edge omics technologies has been the way of overcoming the challenge of expansion from lab to industrial scale.

 

The first of two last sessions after lunch break was a lecture by Prof. Kune MuhTsai on Supply Chain Innovation for Sustainable Food Logistics. He brought up the challenges from farm to table to serve fresh food without losing food and producing waste. Although the lecture was not straightforward to the core of the topic, he tried firstly to give the basic concept of temperature control and cold storage. The cold storage concept was considered good ammunition for innovation creation. He also talked about the regulation and food safety aspect to ensure that the food from this supply chain can sustain. The session ended with study cases prepared by the professor to build up the way of thinking and applicable solutions for the supply chain in food logistics.

 

The last session for the 6th day of the 5th Summer Course was another scope of microbiology and biotechnology for industrial implementation. The title was Plant Biomass-based Product Engineering by Microbial Enzymes Application, delivered by Dr. Edita Jurak. There were three main parts of the lecture: first, microbial gene clusters that work together in concert to degrade and modify complex polymers (biomass and plastic). She elaborated further on degrading polymers that require simultaneous microbial gene expression for enzymatic catalysis. She ended her session by giving examples of sources of novel enzymes for biocatalysis.