The commitment of PGRI Madiun University (UNIPMA) to carry out the Tri Dharma of Higher Education, especially community service, continues to be intensive. This is evidenced by the UNIPMA lecturer who visited Puntukdoro Village, Plaosan, Magetan.

The visit was to provide knowledge related to the manufacture of biological fertilizers, biopesticides, and probiotics for livestock.

Head of UNIPMA-NEUST International Community Engagement TEAM, Pujiati, S.Si., M.Sc. said that the visit was not only UNIPMA lecturers. "We are also with three lecturers from NEUST Philippines, so there are six lecturers involved in this international community service program," he explained.

Pujiati also explained that this program will run from July 12-14, 2022. Three lecturers from Neuva Ecija University of Science and Technology (NEUST) Philippines, namely Jermil R. Angeles, Dr. Jomar M. Urbano, and Mr. Arnold V. Damaso. While the lecturers from UNIPMA are Pujiati, S.Si., M.Sc., Agita Risma Nurhikmawati, S.Hum., MA., and Sri Lestari, M.Pd. UNIPMA-NEUST lecturers provide material related to the manufacture of biofertilizers, biopesticides, and probiotics based on local wisdom.

Interestingly for the production of fertilizers using appropriate technology with materials that are around the environment, especially plants with root systems that support to get potential microbes.

Implementation of the next program, Mr. Arnold V. Damaso. provide material related to the manufacture of probiotics to treat mouth and foot disease (FMD) that attacks cattle. This probiotic is made from the filtration and fermentation of rice washing water. "It's not enough just to provide material but also hands-on practice. Even though this program ends it doesn't mean it's out of hand. Until next December it will continue to be monitored, as well as research data," he said.

Pujiati hopes that the public will be more aware of the use of biological fertilizers, in order to reduce dependence on chemical fertilizers. Moreover, chemical fertilizers are increasingly expensive. "Hopefully this biopesticide application can be used as an environmentally friendly solution in dealing with plant pests and probiotic-related materials can be used as a solution in providing boosters for livestock which are starting to become scarce because of the many cases of FMD in Magetan district." He explained.

This international community service is carried out offline and online by involving 20 members of the Mulyo Sejati farmer group for offline activities while online involving UNIPMA and NEUST students from the Philippines.

Pujiati revealed that the activity was sourced from funding from the Ministry of Education and Culture, Research and Technology, the Merdeka Campus Competition Program. With this program, farmers in the village can find solutions to the problems they face. Both in agriculture and animal husbandry.

Amazingly, Puntukdoro village has been a partner village for UNIPMA since 2017. "We also hope that the involvement of students in this activity can increase critical thinking in solving problems that exist in their environment," said Pujiati.