Jakarta, INTI – Students from Universitas Internasional Semen Indonesia (UISI) Group 11 carried out a Community Service Program (KKN) with the theme “One Village, a Thousand Innovations” in Ngawen Village, Sidayu District, Gresik Regency, from 12 until 29 July 2025. Over the course of 18 days, they introduced various creative ideas that directly benefited local residents. Ngawen Village is known as a fishing community that relies on the sea, particularly mussels, for its livelihood. However, the accumulation of mussel shell waste has often caused environmental problems. To address this, UISI students created a program to process green mussel shells into organic fertilizer, so that the waste could be managed while also providing added value for the community.
Turning Green Mussel Shell Waste into Marketable Organic Fertilizer
Green mussels from Ngawen are not only sold for consumption but also play an important role in the village economy. This potential was seen by UISI students as an opportunity to introduce environmentally friendly innovation.
One of their flagship programs is KORA (Komunitas Ramah Alam / Nature Friendly Community). In this program, students help residents process mussel shell waste into lime fertilizer made from calcium carbonate (CaCO₃). According to Mosaic Crop Nutrition, this fertilizer can neutralize overly acidic soil, thereby improving farmland quality and maximizing crop yields. This simple technology is not only eco-friendly but also easy for farmers to adopt.
Process of Making Fertilizer from Green Mussel Shells:
- Washing: Mussel shells are washed with clean water to remove dirt.
- Drying: Dried under the sun until completely dry.
- Grinding: Dry shells are ground using a special machine.
- Sifting: The ground shells are sifted into two types: fine powder and coarse powder.
Conclusion
The innovation of processing green mussel shell waste into organic fertilizer in Ngawen Village is clear proof that the concept of a green industry can be applied with simple technology. This program not only helps reduce the buildup of waste that could pollute the environment but also provides an eco-friendly solution for agriculture. By turning waste into a new resource, the community gains dual benefits: a cleaner environment and improved economic welfare. This initiative serves as an example of how a green industry can grow from rural areas and create a positive impact on environmental sustainability.
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