Singaraja- The economic empowerment of the speech-impaired and deaf (kolok) community in Bengkala Village, Kubuaddan District, Buleleng Regency is the concern of the academic community of Ganesha Education University (Undiksha). The steps taken are the development of organic waste processing through the cultivation of Black Soldier Fly (BSF) or maggot. This program is implemented by students of the Faculty of Law and Social Sciences (FHIS) through the Holistic Village Development and Empowerment Program (PHP2D) initiated by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology.
This activity targets speech-impaired and deaf residents in the Community Economic Zone (KEM). The Head of the PHP2D Team, Ni Ketut Anggriani Wednesday (27/10/2021), explained that the program would be implemented from August to November 2021, starting with the preparation of infrastructure and training on organic waste management.
Meanwhile, the supervisor, I Wayan Pardi, S.Pd,. M.Pd. said that this program does not only contribute to overcoming the problem of organic waste that still accumulates in landfills. But more than that, it is also a source of income for residents, especially in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, which has triggered an economic downturn. “Because the results of maggot livestock are then sold, both live maggot and dried maggot can be used as an alternative to poultry, fish, and other animal feed,” he explained.
He further explained, that considering that maggot has a very high content of protein, amino acids, fatty acids, and minerals, it has the potential to be used as an alternative to animal feed and as a constituent of concentrated feed. “The processing of organic waste with BSF cultivation is one of several work programs initiated by the PHP2D FHIS team, with the mission of economic recovery for the kolok community,” he added.
The implementation of this program received a positive response from the Head of KEM Kolok Bengkala Village, Ketut Kanta. He conveyed that community economic empowerment was very necessary, especially in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. This is because many people have lost their jobs. “Hopefully, in the future, the kolok community will be intense in continuing this excellent program and be able to improve their economy,” he said.
Vice-Rector for Student Affairs, Alumni and Public Relations Undiksha, Prof. Dr. I Wayan Suastra, M.Pd., said that the PHP2D program sticks to the policy of an independent campus and free learning because its implementation can be compared to Semester Credit Units (SKS). “This can later be equalized with independent campus credit,” he explained. Furthermore, this program is also a competition funded by the central government. Through this program, students can contribute to handling problems in society. “Therefore, we always encourage Undiksha students to be able to take part in this national program,” he concluded. (lpsy)
