This morning, August 9th 2024, at 07.30 Western Indonesia Time (GMT+7), marked the 11th day of the Summer Course (SC) 2024 held by the Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Universitas Gadjah Mada.

There were 4 speakers, 2 online and 2 on-site. The first lecture was on International Agricultural Development and Cooperation from Korea’s Perspective, moderated by Sintia Putri Pradita, M.Sc. from FAT UGM. Taeyoon Kim, Ph.D. from Seoul National University South Korea, explained about agricultural development especially related to GDP per capita with rural populations in Asian countries such as Japan and Korea from 1960 until now. He mentioned an example of food value implemented in the USA and agricultural contributions such as source of labor for the modern sector, saving for investment, foreign exchange through export, etc.      

Before continuing to the next session, we had a coffee break from 09.15-09.45. The second lecture was on Reducing Food Waste with Food Packaging, moderated by Dr. Inasanti Pandan Wangi from FAT UGM. Dr. Nur Alim Bahmid (on-site speaker) from National Research and Innovation Agency of the Republic Indonesia, explained the importance of food packaging to reduce food waste. He then gave some examples of new innovations of packaging to extend product’s shelf life such as Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP), smart packaging, active packaging and intelligent packaging. He mentioned his brief research of antimicrobial packaging from mustard seed extracts to be incorporated in meat packaging.  

The second session ended at 11.30 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 Sustainable Manufacturing. Dr. Novita Sakundarini (on-site speaker) from University of Nottingham Malaysia explained the facts about our planet and current issues about global warming and climate change. She gave understanding about the importance of protecting the Earth and urgency of achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs). She explained the new innovation for sustainable manufacturing such as AI and how industrial sectors such as Toyota, Niki and Ajinomoto implemented those policies in their company.    

The fourth session started after a 30 minute coffee break around 15.15. It was about Agro-industrial Sustainability and Digital Transformation, moderated by Thalia Naziha, M.Sc., MBA from FAT UGM. Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Markus Frank from Nuertingen-Geislingen University, Germany explained the concept of agricultural sustainability by giving participants farming simulation (online exercise) through a website. He explained the biodiversity and intensive agriculture as well as future farming. He mentioned the advantages of a sustainable food system such as high resource efficiency, value orientation, direct contact between producer and consumer, etc. 

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 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.