Klungkung, suaradewata.com - Utilizing livestock manure by roasting it is a solution in managing livestock waste, especially cattle and in an effort to maintain soil fertility. One of the livestock manures can be roasted into biochar. Biochar is a solid carbon-rich material resulting from the conversion of organic waste through imperfect combustion or limited oxygen supply. This technology was introduced by the Community Service Team, Faculty of Agriculture, Warmadewa University coordinated by Dr. Ir.Yohanes Parlindungan Situmeang, M.Si to the Winangun Animal Livestock Group, Tangkas Village, Klungkung Regency on Sunday (27/6).
Yohanes said that biochar is a carbon-rich biological charcoal with characteristics, porous physical properties when applied to the soil can retain nutrients and water, increase microbial life in the soil and overall will improve soil fertility. Livestock waste can be converted into biochar which can be used as a soil conditioner for agricultural lands that are poor in nutrients. "Biochar can maintain the balance of C and N in the soil for a long period of time, adding biochar soil conditioners can also increase the absorption of N, P and K, as well as increase the CEC and pH of the soil," said Yohanes accompanied by team member Dr. Ir. I Dewa Nyoman Sudita, MP. According to him, the provision of biochar to the soil has the potential to increase soil carbon levels, improve soil fertility and restore the quality of degraded soil. Biochar also improves the quality and quantity of water, and is able to increase the availability of nutrients for plants. The provision of biochar as a soil conditioner can increase the availability of potassium, phosphorus, nitrogen, cation exchange capacity, and crop yields and can reduce the risk of nutrient leaching, especially potassium and nitrogen. The presence of pores, surface area and high natural absorption capacity of biochar for nutrients and water and the ability of biochar to act as a medium for microorganisms are identified as the main reasons for biochar as a material to improve soil physical properties. In this Community Partnership Program (PKM) activity, the process of making biochar with livestock waste biomass burning technology using a sangria molen machine burner was introduced. Moreover, the transfer of technology for making biochar fertilizer from livestock manure has never been done in the Winangun Animal Livestock Group. Yohanes emphasized that the technology transfer aims to improve the understanding and skills of partners to innovate in converting livestock waste into biochar which is useful for improving soil fertility and crop yields. The integration of livestock businesses as producers of meat and by-products of livestock waste processed into biochar plus fertilizer that is ready to be marketed is expected to increase the added value and income of farmers. "The application of science and technology in the management and utilization of cow dung waste which is processed into biochar fertilizer plus the established method to achieve well-integrated management of cattle and their waste," explained the man born in Jambi, September 10, 1963, who is now also the Secretary of the Master of Agricultural Science Study Program, Warmadewa University. Yohanes added that if we consider the benefits and potential of biochar raw materials that are very abundant, then the prospects for biochar development are very good in the future. Integration of livestock businesses as producers of meat and by-products of livestock waste that are processed into biochar plus fertilizers that are ready to be marketed is expected to increase the added value and income of farmers. Head of the Winangun I Animal Livestock Group Nengah Sudarma hopes that the technology introduced can be optimally adopted later. Optimal livestock waste management can also have a positive impact on members of the livestock group and the surrounding community. "We hope that in the future we will be able to process this livestock waste into more useful materials such as biochar. Not only the livestock waste, but also the remaining livestock feed, so that we can realize sustainable livestock farming," said Sudarma.
Dr. Ir. Yohanes Parlindungan Situmeang, M.Si
