Compost Fertilizer: A Natural Agricultural Processing Strategy in Youth of the Margo Sumay Indigenous People, Jambi

The Margo Sumay Indigenous Community in Punti Kalo Hamlet, Tebo Regency, Jambi, primarily farms rice using traditional farming methods. Each year, the Margo Sumay Indigenous Community produces around 200 tons of rice. They also own cattle. However, this abundant production is not commensurate with the operational costs they incur each planting season. Their largest expenses are the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides.

This situation has encouraged the Margo Sumay Indigenous Youth Group to return to natural farming practices. They process the community's abundant cattle manure into compost. In addition to livestock manure, they also utilize organic waste, such as straw, dry leaves, and rice husks. In 3 months, the Margo Sumay Indigenous Youth Group is able to produce 1 ton. To date, the compost is packaged in 15 kg sacks and sold for Rp 20.000. This means that in one year they are able to generate income of Rp 5.333.333 from the sale of compost. In the future, they also plan to diversify their products into liquid organic fertilizer (POC), granular compost, and local microorganisms (MOL). Interestingly, both when making fertilizer and its use in the fields, the Margo Sumay Indigenous Community synergizes it with local wisdom in the form of rituals.

The impact of this program on the Margo Sumay Indigenous Community is a strategy to break free from dependence on chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Previously significant operational costs associated with purchasing chemical fertilizers and pesticides can be reduced by producing compost. Furthermore, the production and use of compost also plays a role in cultivating and restoring soil fertility, which has long been saturated due to the use of chemical products. Furthermore, the presence of this fertilizer restores the Margo Sumay Indigenous Community's tradition of cultivating agricultural land, which has long been discontinued. Socially, this program impacts 2.998 people across a land area of ​​2.831,37 hectares.