Domestic Biogas (BIRU) users look beyond a mere benefit of gas advantages for the purposes of cooking, lighting, and generating organic fertilisers out of bio-slurry (biogas sludge).  Much more than that BIRU users may secure for entrepreneurship opportunities especially through the presence of bio-slurry to add to the household economic revenues.

The utilisation of bio-slurry primarily are for various requirements associated with agricultural and animal farming requirements, such as their functions as fertilisers and activator (organic fertiliser, bio-fertiliser, bio activator, and growth regulator), pesticides (bio-fungicides, bio-insecticides, and seed protector), feed stuff (chicken, duck, fish, rabbit, earth worm, and eel), as well as culture media (hydroponic and mushroom cultivation).  Numerous benefits of bio-slurry creates a serious potential for productive enterprises, especially in helping to improve the household economic prosperity.

Mama Linda Bili is one of BIRU owners since 2015 of Radamata Village, Matawai, East Sumba, East Nusa Tenggara who has received the benefits of biogas application.  Initially she only used the biogas as sources of fuel.  Following her participation in the training on bio-slurry processing and bio-slurry based business training, she started to do fermentation activities and sold the products to her next of kins.  Additionally, she also sells the bio-slurry as organic fertilisers to the farmers around the City of Waingapu.

As a member of Indonesian Women Caucus (KPI), Mama Linda who is a widow, is also active in socialising domestic biogas and bio-slurry, as well as its benefits to other KPI members and the surrounding community.  As part of the promotion and socialisation, Mama Linda also frequently distributes free bio-slurry to her neighbours and the community.  Moreover, the members and farmers groups in Mauliru and Lambanapu subdistricts have also enjoyed the benefits of bio-slurry which was bought from Mama Linda.  The have even sold the products to East Sumba regions for their families and their relatives.

In processing the bio-slurry, Mama Linda is supported by her relative in her house, Yohanes B. Dedi.  Total revenue generated from the sales of bio-slurry is Rp 500,000 on average each month.  Liquid bio-slurry is packaged on a 5-liter capacity jerry can and the sales price is Rp 50,000 for each jerry can.  In addition to processing bio-slurry, her other routine activities include growing celeries in polybags which she harvests on a weekly basis and sold in the marketplace for Rp 50,000-Rp 60,000.  By selling these celeries, she is able to earn an additional monthly income of Rp 360,000.

Today Mama Linda has started her nile tilapia culture in a 3 x 2 m2 pond.  She has also prepared another 7.5 x 2.5 m2 pond size for duckweed culture purposes.  These duckweed will be used for feeding her fish and hogs.  Bio-slurry will help to accelerate the lemna lavish growth as pond fertiliser.

“I hope that public in general will be aware on the importance of bio-slurry organic fertilisers.  Organic materials are beneficial for both soil and crops fertility.  May farmers in Sumba utilise bio-slurry fertilisers as organic fertilisers permanently in their agricultural activities, thus the living standard of the community or farmers in Sumba will further improve,” uttered Mama Linda as she reveals her expectations.  (KR)