UNAIR NEWS – Students from Universitas Airlangga’s (UNAIR) Learning with Community (BBK) program launched an initiative titled EcoGrow: Organic Fertilizer from Used Cooking Oil for Healthy Gardens. The event, held at the Tanjungkenongo Village Hall in Pacet District, Mojokerto Regency, on Sunday, January 12, 2025, aimed to teach residents how to repurpose used cooking oil into liquid organic fertilizer that is both eco-friendly and beneficial for agricultural productivity.
The program drew enthusiastic participation from dozens of residents, including local farmers, who engaged in both educational sessions and hands-on activities. The event began with a presentation on the environmental hazards posed by the improper disposal of used cooking oil, including soil and water contamination. The BBK students demonstrated how waste oil can be converted into liquid organic fertilizer using accessible materials such as EM4 bioactivator, molasses, rice bran, and water. Through a simple fermentation process, these materials create a fertilizer that naturally enhances soil fertility and plant health.
Educational highlights
The initiative focused on two main educational components. The first segment introduced participants to biofertilizers, emphasizing their benefits for soil health. To support the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices, the students provided the necessary materials for creating biofertilizers to attendees. The second component addressed the management of used cooking oil. Following an informative session on its environmental impacts, participants took part in a workshop to produce liquid organic fertilizer from the waste oil.
Fertilizers produced during the session were distributed to participants for immediate use in their gardens. Mulyono, the Tanjungkenongo Village Secretary, praised the initiative, saying, “We hope this program brings lasting benefits and serves as a foundation for sustainable agriculture in Tanjungkenongo.”
Fertilizers produced during the session were distributed to participants for immediate use in their gardens. Ahmad Fauzi, the Tanjungkenongo Village Secretary, praised the initiative, saying, “We hope this program brings lasting benefits and serves as a foundation for sustainable agriculture in Tanjungkenongo.”
Participants were encouraged to apply the organic fertilizers in their gardens to witness their benefits firsthand. The students hoped that these positive results would motivate residents to continue using eco-friendly fertilizers. EcoGrow serves as an important milestone in promoting sustainable farming practices within Tanjungkenongo Village. The program aspires to become a model for similar initiatives in other communities, fostering environmentally conscious agriculture. By combining economic and ecological benefits, EcoGrow seeks to empower local residents to embrace sustainable solutions for a healthier future.
Author: BBK 5 Team Tanjung Kenongo, Mojokerto
Editor: Yulia Rohmawati
