UNSRI’s Chemical Engineering Community Service Program Empowers a School in Senuro Village to Develop Liquid Organic Fertilizer from Pineapple Peel Waste

Senuro Timur Village, Tanjung Batu Subdistrict, Ogan Ilir Regency—known as one of the largest pineapple-producing regions in South Sumatra—was selected as the site for education and training. Until now, pineapple peel waste in the village has not been optimally utilized, while farmers remain heavily reliant on chemical fertilizers. It is this potential that prompted the Unsri team to introduce a simple technology based on pineapple peel fermentation to produce high-quality POC.

This community service activity was carried out in collaboration with MA Nurul Hilal in Senuro Timur Village and was attended by teachers and students. The community service team, chaired by Dr. Ir. Fitri Hadiah, S.T., M.T., with members Ir. Reini Silvia Ilmiaty, M.T., Ir. Lia Cundari, S.T., M.T., and Ir. Dyos Santoso, M.T., along with students from the Department of Chemical Engineering, provided comprehensive education on the POC production process, its benefits, and opportunities for its development as a self-sustaining business.

POC made from pineapple peel waste offers several advantages, including improving soil fertility, enhancing soil structure, and increasing the availability of micronutrients for plants. Various studies have shown that pineapple peel POC can promote more optimal plant growth compared to the use of chemical fertilizers alone. Additionally, POC production can be carried out at a low cost, making it an entrepreneurial opportunity for the village community.

The POC awareness session and hands-on training were held in the MA Nurul Hilal auditorium, featuring presentations, demonstration videos, and hands-on practice. Participants were taught how to prepare raw materials, make the fermentation solution, and apply storage and packaging techniques. Following the training, the school also received a kit of equipment and materials as startup capital to enable them to produce POC independently.

The head of the community service team, Dr. Fitri Hadiah, explained that pineapple peel waste was chosen because it is readily available and contains organic nutrients that can be processed into high-quality liquid fertilizer. “This program aims not only to reduce waste but also to provide new economic opportunities for the community, especially students and rural youth,” she said.

This activity received a positive response from the Head of Senuro Timur Village, school officials, and all participants involved. Based on the evaluation questionnaire, participants stated that the material was easy to understand, the POC production process was very feasible to implement on their own, and the product had the potential to become a local business. They also hoped that similar activities could continue to be carried out so that the community’s knowledge and skills would continue to develop.

Through this program, the Unsri team aims for MA Nurul Hilal to become a small-scale production center for POC made from pineapple peel waste, which can eventually be marketed to local farmers. This initiative also supports efforts in organic waste management, increased agricultural productivity, and the development of school- and village-based business units.

As part of Universitas Sriwijaya’s commitment to supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 12—Responsible Production and Consumption, and SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth), this community service program is expected to serve as an inspiring model that can be replicated in other villages, particularly those with similar agricultural waste potential