Enhancing Sustainable Agriculture Awareness Through Organic Fertilizer Training: A One-Group Pretest-Posttest Study in Elementary School Students
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51589/amp3ka04Keywords:
Bioactivator, Community Service, Cow Manure, Fermentation, Organic FertilizerAbstract
Introducing organic agriculture concepts at an early age is essential for fostering environmental awareness and cultivating sustainable values among students. Early exposure helps children understand environmentally friendly farming practices and encourages their active participation in sustainability initiatives. This study implemented an educational intervention through an experiential learning-based training program to promote awareness of sustainable agriculture through organic fertilizer training in an elementary school setting. The program was conducted at SDN Brang Biji, Sumbawa Regency, on 9–10 June 2023, involving 80 students from Grades 4 and 5 (40 students each). The program employed participatory and experiential learning approaches, utilizing the schoolyard as a practical learning medium. Students actively participated in producing organic fertilizer through a simple composting process using readily available materials, including cow dung, dry leaves, and bioactivators. The resulting compost was applied to plants cultivated in the school environment, enabling students to observe its effects on plant growth and soil conditions. Two main methods were implemented: first, a participatory approach to enhance students’ knowledge and practical skills through hands-on composting training; and second, a persuasive approach to raise awareness of the benefits of recycling organic waste into valuable fertilizer products. The results demonstrated a significant improvement in students’ knowledge following the intervention. Grade 4 students showed a knowledge increase of 51.51%, while Grade 5 students demonstrated an increase of 43.10%. These findings indicate that the program effectively enhanced students’ understanding, practical skills, and awareness of sustainable agriculture. In conclusion, school-based organic fertilizer training represents a promising strategy for promoting sustainable agricultural practices from an early age.
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