Yogyakarta – The Department of Agricultural Microbiology, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), continues to demonstrate its commitment to advancing sustainable agriculture through the involvement of one of its faculty members in an industrial-scale oil palm biomass waste management project.
Dr. Nur Akbar Arofatullah, S.P., M.Biotech., Head of the Laboratory of the Department of Agricultural Microbiology, Faculty of Agriculture, UGM, was invited by Winrock International to participate in the Industrial-Scale Empty Fruit Bunch (EFB) Composting Pilot Project Field Visit, held from 30 June to 3 July 2026 at Trubus Sentra Agrobisnis (TSA) in Paser Regency, East Kalimantan, Indonesia.
The field visit was organized by Winrock International, a United States-based international nonprofit organization with more than four decades of experience in implementing programs in agriculture, environmental conservation, climate change, and community development across more than 60 countries. Through partnerships with governments, universities, the private sector, and local communities, Winrock International develops science-based solutions to improve agricultural productivity, conserve natural resources, and promote sustainable development.
One of the organization’s flagship initiatives is the WIPO GREEN Project, which aims to accelerate the adoption of environmentally friendly technologies to support more sustainable industrial practices. As part of this initiative, Hari Yuwono, Team Leader of the WIPO GREEN Project at Winrock International, invited Dr. Nur Akbar Arofatullah to contribute his expertise in agricultural microbiology to the industrial-scale Empty Fruit Bunch (EFB) composting pilot project in Paser Regency, East Kalimantan. His participation was expected to provide scientific insights into the application of microorganisms for converting oil palm biomass waste into high-quality compost through more efficient and environmentally sustainable processes.
During the field visit, participants observed the industrial-scale composting process of Empty Fruit Bunches (EFB), evaluated the biological and technical aspects of the decomposition process, and discussed opportunities to optimize microorganism-based technologies for improving compost quality and enhancing the efficiency of biomass waste management.
The participation of the Department of Agricultural Microbiology, UGM, reflects the department’s commitment to advancing microbiology-based innovations that address challenges in the agricultural and plantation sectors. The application of beneficial microorganisms in organic waste management has significant potential not only to improve soil fertility and agricultural productivity but also to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through more sustainable biomass utilization.
This collaboration between Universitas Gadjah Mada and Winrock International represents a strategic partnership that strengthens the translation of scientific research into industrial applications while expanding the implementation of microbiological technologies in sustainable agriculture. The Department of Agricultural Microbiology remains committed to fostering collaborations with national and international partners to develop innovative solutions that contribute to sustainable agricultural development and support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).