RESEARCHERS from Universiti Putra Malaysia Bintulu Campus (UPMKB) once again proved their excellence when they won the gold medal at the AII American DAVINCI International Innovation and Invention Expo 2021 innovation competition which was held virtually from 11 to 13 August.

The innovation competed by a line of researchers from UPMKB, namely Prof Dr Ahmed Osumanu Haruna and Dr Latifah Omar, highlighted the use of organic fertilizers produced from agro -agricultural waste that have proven effective in improving soil productivity and agricultural yields.

Other researchers involved in this study consisted of Dr Kevin Muyang Tawie Sulok (Black Pepper Board (MPB) Kuching, Sarawak), Liza Nuriati Lim Kim Choo from the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI) Sesang, Roban, Saratok, Sarawak, Shajarutulwardah Mohd Yusob from MARDI Seberang Perai, Penang, Rosliza Shamsuddin from the Integrated Agricultural Development Area (IADA), Pahang and Dr Adiza Alhassan Musah from Management Science University, Kuala Lumpur.

The innovation titled “Healthy Soil for Healthy Food and Life” combines studies and research on the manufacture of organic-based fertilizers made from agricultural waste such as rice husk, sago waste, pineapple leaves, and animal waste.

AII American DAVINCI International Innovation and Invention Expo 2021 is organized by Southern Utah University, the American Innovation and Invention Institute, and the International Alliance of Innovation and Invention Associations supported by the Utah STEM Center.

The virtual exhibition was attended by 125 designers from countries such as Malaysia, Australia, Philippines, United Kingdom, Taiwan, Kuwait, Poland, Morocco, Egypt, Russia, Japan, China, and the United States and was judged by a panel of judges with calibre and authority.

This agro -agricultural waste has been formulated in a certain ratio according to scientific methods and proven effective in improving soil fertility as well as improving the yield of black pepper, pineapple, papaya, corn and paddy (study crops).

The study and research on the effectiveness of organic-based fertilizers have been analyzed in a series of experiments in the soil science laboratory of UPMKB before being tested in the field. Having proven its effectiveness in improving soil fertility, this technology has been transferred to the paddy growing community involving paddy growers in Sarawak and Pahang.

The use of organic fertilizers encourages farmers to minimize the excessive use of chemical fertilizers which have been found to cause various problems to the environment such as soil, water, and air pollution.

Excessive use of chemical fertilizers has not only led to soil acidity, greenhouse gas emissions, and algal growth as a result of phosphate and nitrate fertilizer leachate residues, but also led to waste because fertilizing is an expensive input in crop production costs. The organic fertilizers produced were used in the pre- and post-planting preparation stages to detoxify and prevent phosphorus binding by aluminium and iron so that nutrients are available in the soil and can be taken up by crops during the growth period up to the harvest stage.

Since the movement control order was enforced, water, soil, and air have shown signs of recovery where the water is getting clearer and the air is getting freer from gas accumulation.

Excessive use of chemical fertilizers is one of the factors that contribute to the accumulation of gases in the atmosphere and water pollution as a result of leaching nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers.

The innovations featured at the All American DAVINCI Expo 2021 aim to share knowledge with farmers, agricultural developers, estate farmers, and fertilizer manufacturing plants to use all the cheap and readily available natural resources in natural fertilizer manufacturing.

This approach not only reduces waste from the harvesting of agricultural products as well as industrial manufacturing waste but also reduces the excessive use of chemical fertilizers.

Date of Input: 23/09/2021 | Updated: 27/04/2022 | lanz