EMPOWERING WHITELEG SHRIMP FARMERS THROUGH RICE HUSK-BASED BIOFERTILIZER PRODUCTION AS A SUPPORT FOR SUSTAINABLE AQUACULTURE IN PASAREAPUA, SOUTHEAST SULAWESI, INDONESIA
Keywords:
Whiteleg Shrimp Farming, Biofertilizer Production, Agricultural Waste Utilization, Community-Based Aquaculture, Sustainable Coastal DevelopmentAbstract
This community engagement program aimed to enhance the technical capacity of whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) farmers through the production of rice husk-based biofertilizer. This initiative served as a strategy for valorizing local resources and as a supporting input for more sustainable aquaculture practices. The activity was implemented with a shrimp-farming partner group in Pasareapua, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia, employing a participatory-educational approach. This approach consisted of needs assessment, socialization, technical training, hands-on biofertilizer production, field mentoring, and reflective evaluation. The results indicated that the partner group significantly improved its understanding of rice husk utilization, solid-state fermentation, basic quality control, and the potential integration of biofertilizer production into circular-economy-oriented pond management. Furthermore, the activity successfully developed a concise standard operating procedure, a comprehensive technical knowledge package, and a follow-up plan to facilitate independent production. Overall, the integration of agricultural residues with aquaculture needs presents a practical, low-cost, and replicable community empowerment model for coastal shrimp-farming communities.
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