Rojai, Superior Farmer and Breeder from Cirebon

Rojai develops organic farming and livestock systems to improve the welfare of farmers and protect the environment.

KOMPAS/ABDULLAH FIKRI ASHRI

Rojai, a local farmer, shows a test tube containing microorganisms at the Biological Control Agent (APH) Laboratory in Tegalkarang Village, Palimanan District, Cirebon Regency, West Java, Wednesday (28/2/2024). In the laboratory, he developed microorganisms, such as Trichoderma sp, to control plant pests.

In the hands of Rojai (49), cow urine and dung were transformed into millions of rupiah in cash. This Farmer and livestock breeder in Cirebon Regency, West Java, develops organic fertilizers and pesticides. He not only implements environmentally friendly agriculture, but also strives to make farmers independent.

"Alhamdulillah, I have received another order (for compost fertilizer) from the agriculture department, 9-10 tons," said Rojai on Tuesday (16/4/2024). With a price of Rp 2,000 per kilogram, he could earn Rp 18 million from the order. This amount is seven times higher than the minimum wage in Cirebon, which is Rp 2.4 million per month.

Interestingly, the millions of rupiah came from his cow pen in Tegalkarang Village, Palimanan District, Cirebon. In a place with a waste processing plant, there are 10 cows that excrete dung and urine. From that smelly trash, the profits come in.

KOMPAS/ABDULLAH FIKRI ASHRI

Rojai, a local farmer, shows a drum containing fermented cow urine in Tegalkarang Village, Palimanan District, Cirebon Regency, West Java, on Wednesday (2/28/2024). The urine is used as liquid organic fertilizer to enhance plant growth.

"If this is sold, it will cost IDR 2 million," said Rojai smiling.

Urine is the main ingredient liquid organic fertilizer (POC). At a price of IDR 20,000 per liter, POC can help plant growth. This is cheaper than chemical liquid fertilizer which ranges from IDR 60,000 to IDR 90,000 per liter. However, the POC he makes is not cheap.

Rice fields that are sprayed with POC have green stems and leaves. The soil is easy to plant and fertile. The minimum requirement for POC is 5 liters per hectare.

“Cow urine contains pesticides. "So, there's no need to buy medicine (chemical pesticides) anymore, it's prohibited (expensive)," said the Head of the Jaya Livestock Group.

KOMPAS/ABDULLAH FIKRI ASHRI

Rojai shows a drum containing fermented cow urine in the Tegalkarang village, Palimanan district, Cirebon regency, West Java on Wednesday (28/2/2024). The urine serves as liquid organic fertilizer to improve plant growth.

Laughed at

Rojai's encounter with organic farming began in 2016. At that time, the owner of 120 cows and 50 goats became the best breeder at the Cirebon Regency level. He also received an organic fertilizer management unit program from the local agricultural department.

Through the program, he began to process animal waste into organic fertilizers and pesticides. Rojai also attended various training sessions from breeders in Lembang, Bandung, to researchers from the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI). He did not mind spending money on it.

"I trained in Bogor (West Java), I spent IDR 5 million. "I was laughed at by service people (because I took part in paid training)," he recalled. Officials, said Rojai, were surprised because they had just found farmers who were studying organic farming at their own expense. Usually, farmers only participate if invited.

However, for this father of six children, the cost and time he spent on learning about organic farming is an investment. For example, he understands that soil fertility depends on organisms, such as the number of bacteria in it. Those bacteria exist if organic materials are used.

Also read: Hendrik Nurwanto, Fortune Flows from Gedong Gincu Garden

“Our farmers are being turned upside down. Which is a lot of pesticides (chemicals). "In fact, that's what kills bacteria," he said. According to Rojai, chemical fertilizer is needed just to start plant growth. Moreover, he said, organic fertilizers and pesticides are better and cheaper for farmers.

Compost fertilizer is very helpful amid the reduced allocation of subsidized fertilizer from the government. For instance, farmers are only given 70 kg of one type of fertilizer per hectare of paddy field. However, they usually receive over 1 quintal of subsidized fertilizer per type.

Farmers are also buying non-subsidized fertilizer at a price of up to Rp 1 million per quintal. When many farmers are experiencing a shortage of subsidized fertilizer, they remain calm.

"Since 2017, I have never relied on chemical fertilizers and pesticides," said the Head of the Makmur Farmers Group, Tegalkarang Village.

KOMPAS/ABDULLAH FIKRI ASHRI

Rojai, the head of the Ternak Jaya livestock group, feeds cattle in Tegalkarang Village, Palimanan District, Cirebon Regency, West Java, on Wednesday (28/2/2024). Rojai implements an integrated farming system with animal husbandry. Cow dung and urine are used to make organic fertilizer. Meanwhile, the remaining harvest of rice becomes feed for the cattle.

After years of using organic materials, the rice plants often grow green and yellow. He claimed that one of the fertilizer companies had measured the pH level of his rice fields.

"The pH results are normal, around 7. In fact, everywhere, the pH is at most 5," said Rojai.

He claimed that the harvest from last year's second planting season reached 10.3 tons of wet paddy per hectare. Normally, farmers only harvest 6-7 tons of paddy per hectare.

Not only that, the yield is also higher. "Normally, the yield of rice after being milled is 62-65 percent. But with my harvest, the yield can reach 70 percent," he said.

Not surprisingly, the locally-made fertilizer packaged under the brand Supersonik has been used by a number of local farmers. The agricultural department even previously ordered 18 tons of fertilizer and 160 liters of POC to be used as materials for organic farming training in Cirebon.

KOMPAS/ABDULLAH FIKRI ASHRI

Portrait of the Biological Control Agent (APH) Laboratory in Tegalkarang Village, Palimanan District, Cirebon Regency, West Java, Wednesday (28/2/2024). In the laboratory, Rojai, a local farmer, developed microorganisms, such as Trichoderma sp, to control plant pests.

Laboratory

Not only does Rojai produce compost fertilizers, but he also has a laboratory for biological control agents (APH). In collaboration with the Indramayu Plant Pest Controller (POPT), Rojai built the APH Laboratory in 2023. There, he learns to manage pest attacks.

Inside were lined up with test tubes containing Trichoderma sp, plant microorganisms, and Paenibacillus bacteria. The cotton-covered tube was stored in the refrigerator.

”Trichoderma can prevent fungus on the leaves. If Paenibacillus overcomes leaf crackle," he said.

Also read: High Production Costs, Cirebon Farmers Hope Grain Prices Will Not Drop

Recently, Rojai is in the process of making a liquid to overcome rat attacks. The liquid is made of sulfur, salt, and caustic soda. Sulfur has long been used by farmers to deal with rats. However, he needs time to test his findings.

This graduate of an Islamic senior high school also developed eco-enzymes, a solution of organic substances from fermenting the skins of various fruits and vegetables. This ingredient promotes the growth of rice at 35 days old.

“This can also be used for the face. Wong wadon (women who wear) glowing (bright)," he said smiling.

Not only in agriculture, but organic systems are also implemented in livestock farming. Cattle feed, for example, comes from rice straw left over from paddy fields to sugarcane waste.

Rojai even built a rural agricultural training center independently on his land.

“You make your own herbal medicine for cows. "I never use antibiotics and vitamins from factories," said Rojai.

The ingredients are turmeric, temulawak, garlic, kencur, and lengkuas. Accompanied by several lecturers from Muhammadiyah University in Cirebon, he has conducted laboratory tests for the efficacy of his herbal medicine.

"The lecturer said that the lab test results showed that my cow's insides were good," he said.

KOMPAS/ABDULLAH FIKRI ASHRI

Rojai, a local farmer, shows a test tube containing microorganisms at the Biological Control Agent (APH) Laboratory in Tegalkarang Village, Palimanan District, Cirebon Regency, West Java, Wednesday (28/2/2024). In the laboratory, he developed microorganisms, such as Trichoderma sp, to control plant pests.

By combining organic farming and animal husbandry, he also helps to preserve the environment. Excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides can degrade soil fertility. Untreated animal waste also produces methane gas, which contributes to global warming.

Most importantly, he continued, that pattern can empower farmers. Because farmers no longer rely on factory-made fertilizers and pesticides. They simply use livestock manure. "Farmers who don't raise livestock are losing out," said Rojai, who produces yogurt from cow's milk.

Not wanting to "succeed alone," he often shares his knowledge with other farmers and livestock breeders. Rojai always responds to invitations to be a speaker at training events both inside and outside of Cirebon. He even built a self-funded rural agricultural training center on his land.

"The agricultural (department) person asked, aren't you making a loss? I said, lucky. Luckily what? "Lots of guests, lots of fortune," he said smiling. In that place, he often received visits from farmers, school children and police who wanted to learn about organic farming.

For him, sharing knowledge can cultivate good deeds as well as bring in sustenance. He once trained residents to raise livestock in the Ciwaringin District, Cirebon. Not long after, a resident ordered a cow for sacrifice during Eid al-Adha. After that, it was the turn of the resident's neighbor to order.

KOMPAS/ABDULLAH FIKRI ASHRI

Rojai, the Chairman of Ternak Jaya livestock group, is seen gathering grass for cattle feed in Tegalkarang village, Palimanan district, Cirebon regency, West Java, on Wednesday (28/2/2024). Rojai implements an integrated farming system with livestock, where cow dung and urine are used as organic fertilizer. Meanwhile, the remaining harvest of rice is used as feed for cattle.

Spoiled rice

Rojai always hopes that farmers can be independent and prosperous. The second of five siblings learned the ups and downs of being a farmer from his parents. His father was a bajaj driver in Jakarta, while his mother worked as a farm laborer. He experienced the difficulty of having enough food to eat.

"Until the stale rice was dried in the sun, dried, then steamed again," he recalled while shedding tears.

Rojai also asked his parents to have their own rice field. From saving up, his family could buy a piece of land for farming. They also started raising livestock.

His family's life slowly improved. Rojai even managed to open a small-scale tofu factory. However, after almost 20 years, he closed his business because he was always dependent on increasingly expensive imported soybeans. Now, he focuses on independently farming and raising livestock.

"I really want to be a farmer and breeder until I die and be passed on to my children. "When it's school holidays, I take them to go to the cage," he said. Rojai also remains open to farmers who want to learn how to make organic fertilizers and pesticides.

Anami (60), a farmer from Tegalkarang, for example, has been using Rojai's POC for the past two years. He hasn't fully switched to compost fertilizers because the land he cultivates, which covers an area of 0.7 hectares, is sometimes processed by different personnel. However, he admits that organic materials have a good impact.

He also feels lucky because Rojai is often a place for consultations on agriculture and livestock issues. "Mr. Rojai always shares his knowledge," said Anami.

Also read: The Irony of an Agrarian Country, Rice Farmers Queue for Cheap Rice

Wife: Salamah

Education :

- SDN 1 Tegalkarang Cirebon

- MTsN Arjawinangun Cirebon

- MAN 1 Cirebon Regency