Bandung, sith.itb.ac.id – Three students from School of Life Sciences and Technology, Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB), members of Team Althara, have introduced an innovation in sustainable agriculture by developing a liquid organic fertilizer derived from palm oil mill effluent (POME) as a solution to pressing environmental challenges. The innovation was submitted to the scientific writing competition of the Festival Engineering Api Biru (FEAB) held in Jakarta.

The team consists of students from the Postharvest Technology Study Program: Agnes Ruth Savira, Maritza Kayla Zasky Malikha, and Naveed Muhammad Falah Brahmantika. Under the overarching theme “Accelerating Indonesia’s Impact”, Team Althara focused on addressing the large-scale waste management issues of the palm oil industry through microbial fermentation technology. Through this approach, POME, often regarded as a serious environmental pollutant, was transformed into a value-added biofertilizer with the dual benefits of enhancing crop productivity and providing natural pest protection for Momotaro tomatoes.

“Momotaro tomatoes are a high-value commodity that requires high-quality fertilization. Through this innovation, we aim to demonstrate that materials commonly perceived as waste can be transformed into sources of hope—both for palm oil producers and horticultural farmers”, said Naveed, representing the team.

The application of fermented palm oil waste as an organic fertilizer is considered capable of reducing dependence on chemical fertilizers and pesticides, while simultaneously strengthening the global competitiveness of Indonesian horticultural products. This innovation exemplifies a circular economy model that integrates the palm oil plantation sector with horticultural agriculture.

For Team Althara, their success at FEAB 2025 marks the beginning of a broader journey toward generating tangible societal impact. They aspire to see their innovation implemented at the field level, opening opportunities for commercialization and even the export of premium Indonesian horticultural products.

The team also emphasized the importance of perseverance as a key lesson gained from the competition. According to them, challenges often serve as catalysts for innovation. They hope that their experience will inspire fellow students to take initiative, experiment boldly, and collaborate in creating solutions that deliver positive contributions to society.

The FEAB 2025 Grand Final was held on July 7th, 2025 in Jakarta, followed by the awards ceremony on July 17th, 2025. Through this work, Team Althara not only achieved competitive success but also demonstrated that waste valorization holds significant potential in shaping the future of Indonesian agriculture.

Contributors: Fauzia Ayu L. (Biotechnology, Class of 2024) and Ilham Rezy Saputra (Petroleum Engineering, Class of 2022)
English Translate and Editor: Anca Awal Sembada