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> News > Empowering Local Communities through Straw Mushroom Cultivation Using Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch Waste as a Growing Medium in Kelambir Village, Pantai Labu District, Deli Serdang Regency

Empowering Local Communities through Straw Mushroom Cultivation Using Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch Waste as a Growing Medium in Kelambir Village, Pantai Labu District, Deli Serdang Regency

Published At

20 November 2024

Published By

Anonymous Writer

Empowering Local Communities through Straw Mushroom Cultivation Using Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch Waste as a Growing Medium in Kelambir Village, Pantai Labu District, Deli Serdang Regency
Thumbnail Empowering Local Communities through Straw Mushroom Cultivation Using Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch Waste as a Growing Medium in Kelambir Village, Pantai Labu District, Deli Serdang Regency
The USU Faculty of Engineering team conducted a community service program in Kelambir Village through straw mushroom cultivation training using oil palm empty fruit bunch waste as a planting medium. This program aims to enhance public knowledge on managing non-B3 biomass waste into economically valuable products.

The Community Service (PkM) program was carried out by a team of lecturers from the Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU), consisting of Ir. Rivaldi Sidabutar, S.T., M.T., Farida Hanum, S.T., M.T., and Dr. Ir. Bambang Trisakti, M.Si. The program adopted the theme “Empowering Local Communities through Straw Mushroom Cultivation Using Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch Waste as a Growing Medium in Kelambir Village, Pantai Labu District, Deli Serdang Regency.”

 

One of the main agricultural commodities in Deli Serdang Regency is oil palm. The oil palm industry generates non-B3 biomass waste that is usually used as mulch for agriculture. However, the abundant oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) waste has not yet been fully utilized. One recommended use of EFB for the community is as a growing medium for mushrooms, particularly straw mushrooms (Volvariella volvaceae).

Furthermore, utilizing EFB as a planting medium also educates the community about other types of non-B3 biomass waste that can be used as growing media, supporting the broader goal of decomposing and reusing biomass waste.

 

The decomposition of oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) waste is facilitated using mushroom houses (kumbung) as the main equipment. A kumbung is a structure where mushrooms grow and develop before being harvested. The kumbung is equipped with air circulation vents on the top, front, and back to regulate internal temperature and create optimal growth conditions. This mushroom house serves as a facility for processing non-B3 biomass waste effectively.

One of the challenges faced by the people of Kelambir Village is the lack of information and knowledge regarding mushroom utilization and cultivation techniques. Therefore, through this Community Service program, a straw mushroom cultivation training was conducted for local residents and farmer groups interested in waste utilization technology, particularly those aiming to create value-added products such as straw mushroom agribusiness.

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