08 January 2025
Fenny Julistine Tarigan
The Green Culture Foundation of Indonesia has reaffirmed its commitment to environmental sustainability by donating 2,000 productive plant seedlings to Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) free of charge. These seedlings will be utilized in the Thematic Community Service Program (KKN-T) under the Merdeka Learning Campus Program (MBKM) initiative to create greener and more sustainable environments.
During a coordination meeting, Mr. HM Surya Yusuf, S.E., M.S., Chairman of the Green Culture Foundation and Founder & Foundation Supervisor of the World Eco Enzyme Volunteers, agreed that the foundation would provide students with training on tree planting techniques and environmental management, including the production of eco enzymes from organic waste like fruit peels. These eco enzymes serve as natural, eco-friendly fertilizers with great potential for supporting sustainable agriculture.
One of the key innovations emphasized in this collaboration is the development of the "Avocado Republic," a program that utilizes USU's land to cultivate premium avocados. Additionally, the Green Culture Foundation and USU plan to plant sugar palms in forest areas as part of the KKN-T program. Sugar palms were chosen for their ecological benefits, especially in water conservation, as they contain water within their structure.
However, several challenges remain, particularly in providing materials for eco-enzyme production. For instance, large containers are required for processing, which demands additional funding. Another obstacle is the regulation prohibiting the sale of eco-enzyme products.
USU faculties are encouraged to actively participate in this initiative, as it can help achieve Key Performance Indicator (KPI) 6, which emphasizes collaboration and partnerships. The Faculty of Agriculture, for example, is expected to serve as the central hub for tree-planting activities during the KKN-T program.
By evaluating past program implementations, the Green Culture Foundation and USU remain optimistic about achieving long-term positive impacts through this collaboration. They hope that the program will benefit students directly and drive meaningful environmental change in surrounding areas.
