The Wolowaru Young Farmers Group in Wakale’u, Mbuli Village, Wolowaru District, Ende Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, conducts bokashi fertilizer production activities.  A total of 23 young farmers from several villages gathered in one of the houses belonging to group members.

Regardless of the scorching sun, the young farmers who participated in this activity seemed very enthusiastic in the process of making bokashi.  They mix the organic ingredients that have been mashed.  Watch closely how TFO YBTS and PPL ferment fertilizer by involving rice bran, sugar, and M4. Two hours later, 1 ton of organic matter is placed on an open tarp so that it dries quickly and is ready to be used as fertilizer.

“With the alternative of bokashi fertilizer, we don’t need to buy fertilizer anymore when we plant horticulture.  Thank you for the lessons that we got thanks to the assistance from the Bina Tani Sejahtera Foundation and the PPL of Wolowaru District,” concluded Arman, the head of the Wolowaru youth farmer group.

This bokashi fertilizer production activity is part of the  transfer activity knowledge carried out by YBTS and supported by the Ganesha Youth Project which was carried out in 3 districts namely Sikka District (Nita, Mego, and Lela Districts), East Flores District (Wilanggitang District), and  Ende Regency (Kec. Wolowaru).

“Assistance is provided through training of farmers conducted by Technical Field Officers which is carried out on each demonstration plot.  There are several criteria for youth to receive assistance, such as wanting to plant horticulture, 18-25 years old, and earning less than USD 1/day (Rp 15,000),” explained Agustinus, Youth Inclusion and Market Connectivity staff.

This mentoring activity is able to be held because of the support of the local government, such as the Wolowaru Agricultural Extension Center which also participated in field activities. Maria Anjelina Mbuka, one of the PPLs in the Wolowaru sub-district, also gave her gratitude, “Thank you to the young farmers who were involved in the activity, as well as YBTS who worked hand in hand with us in agriculture.  With this collaboration, I believe that we all have the same attention for the lives of young farmers through this farm,” he said.