Empowerment of Tempeh Producers in Managing Soybean Wastewater into Liquid Organic Fertilizer through Participatory Action

Abstract

This community engagement program aimed to address the environmental problem of untreated liquid waste generated by household-scale tempeh production in Plaosan Village. Using a participatory action research approach, the program facilitated collaborative learning, hands-on fermentation training, and reflective planning with 35 tempeh-producing households. The intervention focused on transforming nutrient-rich soybean wastewater into a usable liquid organic fertilizer (LOF) using EM4 technology and local materials. The results indicated significant improvements in environmental knowledge, fermentation skills, and behavioral change: post-test knowledge scores increased by 44.5%, and 77% of participants reduced direct waste discharge. Moreover, three women emerged as peer educators, leading micro-replication efforts. This initiative demonstrated that dialogical, experiential learning can successfully promote sustainable waste management practices, empower local actors, and catalyze grassroots environmental stewardship.