UNAND Supports SDG 2 and SDG 12 through Climate-Smart Agricultural Waste Innovation

Padang, July 30, 2025 — Universitas Andalas (UNAND) continues to strengthen its role in supporting sustainable development through an educational community service program focused on improving crop microclimates by optimizing the use of agricultural waste.

The program is part of UNAND’s 2025 Community Service Scheme under the Program Kemitraan Masyarakat Membantu Usaha Berkembang. Funded by UNAND, the activity is led by Nugraha Ramadhan, a lecturer at the Faculty of Agriculture, with the Taruko Saiyo Farmer Group in Pauh District, Padang City, as the partner community.

This initiative was developed to address several challenges faced by farmers, including limited agricultural waste processing practices, declining soil fertility, and low levels of technological literacy and skills among farming communities. Through this program, UNAND introduced four integrated activities: processing agricultural waste into compost, constructing biopore infiltration holes, producing biochar from rice husks, and applying agricultural waste such as straw as mulch.

In the composting activity, farmers were encouraged to utilize various types of agricultural waste, including straw, livestock manure, coconut fiber, unproductive banana stems, and fruits no longer suitable for consumption. These materials are processed into organic compost that can help improve soil fertility while reducing the accumulation of unused organic waste in the environment.

The program also introduced biopore infiltration holes as an appropriate technology to improve water absorption and land drainage. This method helps rainwater infiltrate the soil more effectively, reducing the risk of erosion and waterlogging while gradually improving the structure and quality of agricultural land.

In addition, rice husk waste was processed into biochar through pyrolysis, a burning process carried out without air or with limited air. The resulting carbon-rich material can improve the soil’s capacity to retain water and nutrients, supporting more productive and sustainable farmland management.

Another solution introduced through the program was the use of straw as mulch for cultivated plants. Instead of being left to decay or burned, straw can be used to suppress weed growth, maintain soil moisture, reduce water evaporation, and add organic matter to the soil as it decomposes.

According to Nugraha Ramadhan, the main objective of the program is to increase farmers’ understanding, skills, and participation in agricultural waste management and the application of appropriate technology. The program is expected to create a more optimal microclimate for cultivated plants while also contributing to long-term productivity and environmental resilience.

This community service initiative reflects UNAND’s commitment to supporting SDG 2: Zero Hunger by promoting sustainable agriculture, improving soil fertility, and strengthening crop-growing conditions for farmers. At the same time, the program contributes to SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production by transforming agricultural waste into useful resources such as compost, biochar, and mulch.

Through this collaboration, UNAND continues to support sustainable development and farmer welfare in West Sumatra through climate-smart agriculture. The program is also expected to become an adaptable model that can be implemented more widely to support sustainable agriculture across Indonesia.