International Conference on Chemical, Ecology and Environmental Sciences (ICCEES'2011) Pattaya Dec.

2011

Liquid Fertilizer as a Solution to Problem of

Kitchen Waste (Organic) and The
Empowerment of Rural Women
Saefihim. Saefihim, Milatul. Ulfa, and Deslaknyo. Hanjagi

Organic kitchen waste actually has a good potential if it

Abstract— Kitchen waste (organic) like the rest of the fruits and processed into organic liquid fertilizer rather than waste it is
the rest of the vegetables (carrots, pumpkin, mustard greens, lettuce, only given to livestock or just thrown. Organic liquid fertilizer
orange peel, banana, durian, cabbage) is not used anymore are is expected to help the economy of villagers or just used their
usually ignored and thrown away. In fact, they have the benefit to own farm. Remember the price of fertilizer continues to
be used as liquid fertilizer. Liquid fertilizer manufacturing activities
increase. In this paper will not be discussed further on a liquid
is not too hard so that it can be done by anyone. With simple
materials such as organic kitchen waste, liquid EM (can be found in
fertilizer because liquid fertilizer is not a new thing for us.
stores of agriculture or the processing of liquid manure before), This paper only explains a little bit about how to create,
brown sugar (palm sugar), and groundwater. The tools used are very benefits, and the picture is generally an organic liquid
easily found such as old buckets, sacks, water faucets, and rope. The fertilizer. However, in this paper will discuss how the rural
advantages of liquid fertilizer is easy, inexpensive and no side women (mothers) can use organic kitchen waste as a organic
effects. The resulting benefits are very much like to fertilize crops, liquid fertilizer. This idea came when I followed the exact
to maintain the stability of nutrient elements in soil and can reduce train mothers in the Neglasari Village, Bogor. Where the
the impact of organic waste in the neighborhood. With a target of village is a village built or partners of my faculties,
the mother-housewife who lives in the countryside as the object of and state, as well as living the Faculty of Human Ecology. In
training, expected to liquid fertilizer can be a means of education to
this paper does not discuss about how the problems of non
increase the income of rural women. In addition to a liquid fertilizer
that can be sold in the market, liquid fertilizer can be used for organic waste. However, if God so wills on the next paper will
agricultural purposes or their own plantations. discuss the utilization of non organic waste as a creative art by
mothers in the Neglasari village, Bogor.
Keywords-Component; Advantages, Liquid Fertilizer, Organic,
Resulting, Rural Women.
II. ENVIRONMENT

I. INTRODUCTION I N Indonesia is described in Law No.23 of 1982 concerning

the provisions of the Principles of Environmental

T he paradigm of the village women who can only cook and

help her husband in farming is still practiced by most
villagers. In book entitled “Indonesian Women is not the
Management which later became Law No.23 of 1997
regarding environmental management. The statement
underlined the Law on the Environment which is a unity
main breadwinner cause women’s work becomes invisible and which all things space, power creatures including man with
is not considered. Another problem often seen in the village is his behavior that affect the sustainability of the livelihoods
the village community cares less about the environment in and welfare of humans and other living things. (Soerjani,
which they live. An example is in ordinary organic kitchen 2008). Someone would not just care about and love the
waste they throw or given to feed livestock. environment because of their knowledge of the environment is
still less. It required a system to introduce the environment
such as environmental education. Environmental education is
perceived and manifested as educational programs designed to
increase of public awareness of environmental issues and
problems. (Ko Nomura, Hendarti, 2005). In this case not only
Saefihim1 Undergraduate School of Science Communication and the city that does not care about the condition of the
Community Development, Bogor Agricultural University, Bogor, Indonesia
surrounding environment. However, rural communities are
(corresponding author to provide phone: +6285324053551 ; fax:-; e-mail:
[email protected] ). now start no matter the situation around them. The past village
Milatul Ulfa2 Undergraduate School of Family and Consumers Science, have very different now, the romance of the past villages in
Bogor Agricultural University, Bogor, Indonesia the paint with its natural beauty, peace and harmony of
(e-mail: [email protected] ). society. Now only few villages that still survive and try to
Deslaknyo Wisnu Hanjagi3 Undergraduate School of Science
Communication and Community Development, Bogor Agricultural keep it. Waste problems both organic and non organic
University, Bogor, Indonesia (e-mail: [email protected]).

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 International Conference on Chemical, Ecology and Environmental Sciences (ICCEES'2011) Pattaya Dec. 2011

becomes a big problem in our country both in urban and rural

areas. TABLE 1. TASK FORCE ESTIMATE OF STRUCTURAL CHANGES
IN EMPLOYMENT, 1986-1998
(SOURCE: ASIAN PRODUCTIVITY ORGANIZATION, 2002)

In Neglasari village the majority of women only as

Fig. 1 Piles of garbage in urban areas housewives or farmers. Although the located is very near with
(Source : http://www.iemka21.wordpress.com) the center of education but does not make them more
successfully to have higher education. Every time when our
group came either from division of Community Development,
As a consequence of it all now people are competing to find a division of nutrition and health and division of education for
solution to the waste problem is resolved. Movements began children. Which is often seen are mothers with their children.
to appear concerned about the environment which I think is a If looked back about the empowerment of women, in
good step in maintaining the balance of nature. In this case Indonesia has so many institutions are intentional established
learning about the EM liquid fertilizer to the rural community for women. Since the Dutch colonial era, the effort to improve
can get a little help in overcoming the problem of organic women’s education already. This is proved by the school of
kitchen waste. In Neglasari Village environment is very Household Huishoudschol and GOSVO-GOSVO. Since the
irregular. Thought still natural, but there is garbage in Japanese colonial era, was renamed become Sekolah
everywhere. The location is little difficult to access for public Kepandaian Putri (school of women skills) and Sekolah Guru
transportation. Very rarely the public transportation pass Kepandaian Putri (school of teacher and women skills) (PKK
trough their housing. The position of the house is very near Team 1993) (Gardiner, Wagemann, Suleeman, Sulastri 1996)
with their farm and livestock cages. The majority of the But the activities that has been since long go, sometimes
population work as farmers. In coaching, the more visible misses the point or in other words only specific community
enthusiasm and follow are the mothers with their children. that can be felt from the effects of such activities. In Neglasari
They are very enthusiastic coaching at the head of household village before we became partners existing NGOs that to
is away farming. empower the surrounding community. And as we become
partners in the village and then practice about liquid fertilizer.
III. EMPOWERMENT OF RURAL WOMEN So it is not surprising when we repeating and teach them how
to make and how to process of liquid fertilizer that many of
Indonesian women familiar with mildness but active or in
them already know about that. However, their spirit and
other word they is also hard worker. The rural women is very
enthusiasm made all the programs that go into village running
identical with kitchen. The rural women identical with low
smoothly. Perhaps the attitude and the nature of the villagers
education. In a book with title “Education and Training of
(women) should be emulated by women of other villages in an
Rural Women in Asia and the Pacific” explained how rural
effort to help reduce environmental, economic improvement
women in some nation in Asia and Pacific included Indonesia.
and progress of each individual of them.
Table in below is an image rural women of Indonesia from job
sector, like how many women work in agriculture, industry,
Had mentioned in the new Ministry in 2001 the Minister of
trade and service sector? How many women work in urban or
women have an agenda such as:
rural areas? And how many women work by formal or
informal employment? 1. The women empowerment through strategic sectors
In table above is explained in period 1986-1998. Women which include education, health and access to
work more in agriculture sector. Meanwhile on the strength of development resources.
location percentage of women work more in rural areas. 2. The gender equality and fairness.
Women leaning more self employed than work as laborer. 3. The dissemination of women’s harassment.
4. Respect for women’s dignity and human rights.
5. Strengthening the institutional capability and capacity of
women’s development and activities.

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 International Conference on Chemical, Ecology and Environmental Sciences (ICCEES'2011) Pattaya Dec. 2011

(source: Asian Productivity Organization) Benefits of EM for Plants and Soil are:
All programs are unfortunately not yet seen the results. That 1. Inhibit the growth of pests and plant diseases and soil.
a constraint on any new government program is the lack 2. Help increase the capacity of plant photosynthesis.
information received so that the target as if the program 3. Assist the process of absorption and distribution of
running in one place nutrient elements from roots to leaves.
Ministry of Women and Child Protection affairs has been 4. Improve the quality of materials as organic fertilizer.
declared or made P2TP2A (Pusat Peemberdayaan Terpadu
5. Increase the quality vegetative and generative plant
Pemberdayaan Perempuan dan Anak). Integrated Service
Center for Empowerment of Women and Children, and then growth.
be said to be P2TP2A is an integrated service center in a effort
to empower women and children of various types of
discrimination and violence including trafficking in persons, TABLE 2. COMPOSITION OF ORGANIC LIQUID FERTILIZER.
which was form by the government or community-based, and
No
may include: referral center, business consulting center, Tools and Materials Quantity
reproductive health counseling centers, legal counseling .
centers, crisis center integrated (CCP), an integrated service 1 Old bucket 1pcs
center(PPT), the central handling of the crisis of women 2 Water faucet 1pcs
(women crisis center), training center, information center of 3 sack 1pcs
science and technology (PIPTEK) a safe house(Shelter), 4 rope 1m
halfway house, or any other form. 5 Organic kitchen waste 1/3 from bucket volume
(source: http://www.menegpp.go.id) 6 Brown sugar (0.5 kg) 1200 ml
Perhaps the government program is very appropriate and 7 water used washing of 1200 ml
nice to be applied. But the problem is that not all women rice
know about the government programs. Maybe the government 8 groundwater 4800 ml
should be more intensive in the extension or introduction of
9 EM Liquid 600 ml
government programs.

V. LIQUID FERTILIZER AS EMPOWERMENT OF RURAL WOMEN

IV. ORGANIC LIQUID FERTILIZER
Rising prices of fertilizer in market looking for an idea to
Liquid fertilizer will be discussed in this paper is EM
force someone else to meet the needs of the crops they
(Effective Microorganism) liquid fertilizer. Liquid fertilizer
planted. In addition, chemical fertilizer if used continuously
manufacturing activities is not too hard so that it can be done
can made microorganism in the soil becomes dead and
by anyone. The materials and tools is used very simple like
causing the soil is not fertile. Utilization of organic kitchen
organic kitchen waste(vegetables and fruits), water used
waste as a liquid fertilizer is expected to solve these problems
washing of rice, brown sugar (palm sugar), groundwater
and can help increasing the economy by housewives in the
(water that has not been expose to chemical such as chlorine
village. In addition, they have indirectly participated in
and etc), EM liquid old buckets, water faucet, sack and rope.
reducing the environmental problems. Empowerment of
For making liquid fertilizer begins with making process places
women can be done in various ways. Such training or briefing
or container for liquid fertilizer such installation of faucet on
skills. In Neglasari village, mothers are taught how to utilize
old buckets. Than prepare the organic waste has been cut with
organic waste becomes liquid fertilizer. Fertilizer is important
a goal rather easily described. Then input the organic kitchen
for farmers for the continuation of their crops in the fields.
waste into sacks that previously already in stab with sharp
However, the increasing price of fertilizer made the farmers
object so that facilitate the exchange of fluids. String the bag
have to think about solutions to their plants so that grow well.
tightly. After preparing the above steps then proceed with
Through this empowerment is expected to slightly ease the
preparing the necessary fluids in the organic liquid fertilizer.
burden on the farmers could get even more revenue from this
First, prepare 0.5 kg of brown sugar and then melted with
organic liquid fertilizer. Organic liquid fertilizer as very
1200 ml of water. The next step is rice water as much as 1200
affordable. If calculated from the total expenditure to be
ml. 600 ml of liquid EM and finally groundwater as much as
incurred during the manufacture of organic fertilizers can be
4800 ml. the next process is the mixing of all liquids. Put all
seen in the table 3.
the liquid into a bucket that has been provided. Mix well until
Can be seen how very affordable prices for equipment and
all is really mixed. Then enter the suck that had already
materials should be excluded because almost all of which are
contains organic kitchen waste into bucket that already
used goods. And the use of EM liquid itself only at the
contains a liquid mixture. Bucket lid tightly. Store and dry and
beginning which will be replaced by a liquid fertilizer that has
should not be exposed to direct sunlight. Let stand for 5 days
been finished. Meanwhile, if you look at the market then the
and liquid fertilizer can be used.
price of fertilizer is still considered very high and sometimes
Which is characteristic of EM liquid fertilizer is a fertilizer
burden some to small farmers.
that has been so liquid EM can be used as liquid fertilizer on
the next.

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 International Conference on Chemical, Ecology and Environmental Sciences (ICCEES'2011) Pattaya Dec. 2011

TABLE 3. PRICES OF TOOLS AND MATERIALS TO MAKE LIQUID VI. CONCLUSION

FERTILIZER
Utilization of organic kitchen waste as a liquid fertilizer is
Tools and Materials Prices alternative solution from the prices of fertilizer in the market.
Old bucket - In addition, by utilizing a liquid fertilizer is expected to help
Water faucet Rp 7000,- the family economy in the village though the rural women
Sack - empowerment program. Outstanding prospects from the liquid
Rope - fertilizer business is considering the increasing number of
Organic kitchen waste - farmers who are interest in organic fertilizer. However, the
Brown sugar Rp 10.000,-/kg most important thing is indirectly the mothers has helped
Water used washing of rice -
government and all of us dealing with environmental issues.
Groundwater -
EM Liquid Rp 25.000-35.000,-/1.5 liter
REFERENCES
Urea prices Rp 1600 per kg, SP-36 Rp 2000 per kg, ZA Rp [1] Asian Productivity Organization. Education and Training of Rural
Women in Asia and The Pacific Tokyo : Japan Official Development
1400 per kg, NPK Rp 2300 per kg. Not only are the prices
assistance. 2002.
continue to rise but the resulting impact if used continuously [2] Gardin, M. O. et.al. Perempuan Indonesia Dulu dan Kini. Jakarta:
may damage soil quality. In contrast to the organic liquid Gramedia Pustaka Utama. 1996
fertilizer that is environmentally friendly and very safe to be [3] Hadisuwito, S. Membuat Pupuk Kompos Cair.Jakarta: Agromedia
Pustaka. 2008.
safe even fertilize the soil.
[4] Ministry of Women and Child Protection affair. [available online].
http://www.menegpp.go.id
[5] Nomura, Ko and Latipah Hendarwati. Environmental Education and
NGOS in Indonesia. Jakarta: Yayasan Obor Indonesia. 2005.
[6] Soerjani, M. Konsep Dasar Lingkungan Hidup. Jakarta: Lembaga
Penerbit fakultas Ekonomi U. 2008.
[7] Figure 1 : http://www.iemka21.wordpress.com : Piles of garbage in
urban areas.
[8] Figure 2 : Private Photos : The process of making liquid fertilizer by
mothers in Neglasari Village.

Figure 2. The process of making liquid fertilizer by mothers

in Neglasari Village
(Source : private photos)

A high added value of organic waste that had been silenced

or thrown away. Alternative solution is to provide training to
rural women regarding the utilization of this organic kitchen
waste. Perhaps one example is the empowerment performed in
Neglasari village. A useful training for the mothers
themselves, especially the farmer and their a activities is
evidence of concern for the environment. In addition, if things
are very numerous and garbage piled up, so the mothers can
make a liquid fertilizer more with the way individuals or
groups. The result are a lot of liquid fertilizer that can be sold
to farmer around. Business prospect are promising considering
the increasing number of farmers who are interested in and
start using organic liquid fertilizer because of the benefits
generated exceptional.
A small step that was very meaningful. It will probably look
just plain ordinary, but what is done will be impact
extraordinary for who did and for the environment will be
more clean. Only by providing training to mothers and
continue to monitor it we have contributed to the farmers,
their welfare and the environment.

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