PEMBERDAYAAN KELOMPOK WANITA TANI (KWT) NAGARI SIPANGKUR DALAM PEMBUATAN KOMPOS DARI LIMBAH PERKEBUNAN KELAPA SAWIT

Abstract

Oil palm as the plantation commodities that economically promising, has encouraged extensification of it, such as in Dharmasraya Regency, Tiumang District, Sipangkur Village. The Tunas Jaya Women Farmers Group (WFG) in Sipangkur Village has been formed since 2019, but its role and function still on a household scale and not optimal in managing oil palm plantation waste. Therefore, the objective of this community service was to empower the Tunas Jaya WFG to optimize the existence of oil palm plantations, by managing oil palm plantation waste to be as organic fertilizer (compost). This community empowerment began with dissemination, counseling, followed by demonstrations and assistance in making compost from oil palm fronds and empty oil palm bunches (EFBs). During the dissemination and counseling, participants actively asked and discussed about the proper composting techniques. The response and enthusiasm of them showed that this program had succeeded in increasing their curiosity about the importance of managing oil palm plantation waste to have added value. During the demonstration and assistance activities for making compost, the farmer groups were assisted and guided by the community service team, such as in the chopping of fronds and EFBs. Application of the proper composting technique will provide benefits in terms of effectiveness and efficiency of resources. In addition, compost can be a substitute of synthetic/chemical fertilizers and certainly supports the ecosystem sustainability. The enthusiasm of the farmer groups and the community, as well as the successful of independent compost production are evidence and indicators of the successful of this community service activity.