Multiparty Collaboration in Village Development

The warung is like any other Indonesian warung, strings of coffee and condensed milk sachets hang lazily over deep fried snacks on the counter. But in Karasgede Village, in the province of Central Java, the tea is heated, the rice is cooked and the room is illuminated by a new form of renewable energy, known as biogas.

“I have achieved 80% of my dreams,” Suwaji said said with sparkling eyes. The man who loves to wear a short as his daily attire has been the Manager of Koperasi Usaha Bersama (KUB) Sami Mandiri since its establishment up to now. Suwaji is the pioneer, the founder, and at the same time the manager of this cooperative. Total member of this cooperative now is 600 people scattered throughout Kasembon Sub District in which 350 of them are dairy farmers with the capacity to produce 7.5 tons of milk on a daily basis.

After receving an information about the Domestric Biogas Programme (BIRU), Bernadus Misa was attracted to participate in such programme. He and his family lives in Laikakang, Kambuhapang Village, Lewa Subdistrict, East Sumba District, East Nusa Tenggara.

Amaq Rehan (68) resides in Bonjeruk Village, Jonggat Subdistrict, Central Lombok District, south of the City of Mataram. His daily activities include farming activities and fish culture. His fish pond is situated in the middle of rice paddy fields.

One afternoon we caught Anah (46) busy with sorting the earthworm that she was ready to harvest. Her hands were skillful and her face showed that she was passionate with her job. Anah is a resident of Sunten Jaya Village, Lembang Subdistrict, West Bandung District, who has involved in enhancing the benefits of bio-slurry as a media for vermiculture and the benefits of bio-slurry as the sources of nutrition for Lemna culture.