YOGYAKARTA, MAY 24, 2017 – Faculty of Animal Science (FAS) Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) estimates that the economic potential of cow and buffalo manure throughout Indonesia as an alternative energy reaches fantastic value, up to Rp. 64.3 trillion / year. The figure is obtained from the calculation assumption (if assumed as a substitute) for the energy needs of BBM (if all kerosene or mitan) is 1.23 million barrels per day (bpd). If cow and buffalo manure produced (assuming 20 kg / head / day) amounts to 345.7 thousand tons / day (data on cattle and buffalo according to the Director General of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine as many as 17.285 million in 2016).
This was revealed by the Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, and Collaboration of FAS UGM, Bambang Suwignyo, in his press release at FAS UGM Campus, Yogyakarta, Wednesday (05/24/2017).
“If it is assumed that Indonesia’s fuel needs are only 1.23 million bpd, then the economic potential obtained from cattle dung in Indonesia is a very fantastic figure for the government to ignore. Need concrete steps to make it happen, ” he said.
He explained, the acquisition of these figures was obtained from the calculation assumption, the number of Indonesian cattle and buffaloes in 2015 was 17,285,290 (Dirjen PKH, 2016), and was able to produce 345.7 thousand tons of manure. This figure is equivalent to the energy substitute for mitan as much as 14.8 million liters of mitan. This figure is taken from the calculation if all all cow and buffalo manure is made biogas with the size of 9 cubic meters biodigester. This figure if equaled in rupiah is IDR 176.3 billion / day or IDR 64.3 trillion/year.
“Two livestock become 1 biodigester, and each 9 cubic meter biodigester produces gas equivalent to 3 liters of mitan, and the current price of non-subsidized mitan is around Rp.6,800 / liter. So the figure is able to meet the energy needs of 13.3% of the needs of the Indonesian people, “said Bambang.
Save Subsidies
Bambang explained, the substitute energy of mitan was obtained from biogas in the form of gas originating from the process of degradation of bio materials, both plants and animals, with certain energy levels. Energy derived from biogas, he explained, is included in the category of renewable energy or renewable energy and is a prospective source of energy to be developed as a substitute for energy from fossil fuels.
According to him, the biogas program can also be designed not only in the context of developing biogas as alternative energy, but also in the format of empowerment. All activities in it are in order to popularize / socialize, apply and develop the potential of biogas as an alternative energy source that is environmentally friendly.
“The use of biogas can reduce the expenditure of family households in the energy sector because biogas can be used as a substitute for fuel for cooking, lighting, and generator generation. So it can save government subsidies, ” he said.
Community empowerment
In addition, Bambang continued, there were other benefits from the use of biogas. First, people are motivated to live with organic patterns. Second, the community is increasingly concerned about the environment such as raising livestock, utilizing fertilizers from manure for land, maintaining plants for human food and the rest of the waste for animal feed.
Third, he added, the community was also involved in efforts to overcome global globalization, climate change and substitute national energy needs and fossil fuels.
“The use of biogas in households is also a vehicle for community empowerment towards energy independent households through the printing of biogas cadres,” Bambang said.