Stube-HEMAT participants have been trained to make self-made fertilizer using various ingredients which easily available in the surrounding environment to reduce production expenses. Indonesia's abundance of natural resources allows for the production of low-cost fertilizers, resulting in various types of fertilizers depending on ingredients and methods. Some alumni from Stube HEMAT have knowledge and expertise in fermentation, and they process ingredients using simple tools and methods. However, the goal is to preserve soil fertility, to achieve self-sufficiency, and to compete with the proliferation of factory-made fertilizers, which have become increasingly unaffordable and expensive in recent times.

Soil fertility must be maintained and it is influenced by the farmer. The native tribes of Bengkulu still practice shifting cultivation and this is not a problem. They move around looking for fertile land. Initially, they had to cut down trees, but sometimes the trees belonged to the protected forest areas. After being cleared, this land is planted with coffee and other types of grains. When the coffee plants are quite tall and unproductive, the landowner will look for new forests to cut down. Meanwhile, the coffee plantation becomes bushes and forest again. Fertility is life, therefore it must be maintained as well as possible for the good of the next generation.

Once again, soil fertility is influenced by the farmer. The majority of our agriculture today, and what is happening in Bengkulu, is sedentary agriculture. People no longer move easily, so like it or not, people have to grow crops. To maintain production, farmers are amazed by the offers of seed and fertilizer products from corporates. They also promote pesticides, insecticides, and fungicides which offer faster, abundant production and eliminate insects that are considered as pests. Even they bring side effects as the fertilizer ingredients degrade soil quality (not improve it), farmers can no longer produce seeds, and pests become resistant to toxins day to day.

Responding to this phenomenon, the Multiplicator of Stube-HEMAT in Bengkulu stated that people should stop using chemical fertilizers, and start using local ingredients as fertilizer instead, and actively look for seeds, grains, stems, and tubers that are suitable for Bengkulu's soil. However, dependency on seeds and fertilizers must end, and independence must begin immediately. The commitment starts with making self-made compost, not using pesticides, and planting seeds which are known as local seeds.

One effort to make self-made fertilizer is raising goats for Stube-HEMAT Bengkulu. In November 2023, Stube-HEMAT Bengkulu started to raise two goats to produce one sack of manure (srinthil) worth IDR 30.000,- per month. With the benefits of manure and goats, such practice may reduce the need for manufactured fertilizer, even enable farmers produce self-made fertilizer. ***

Moderation is the government’s priority program. The spirit of mutual understanding among believers must always be fostered. The existence of the spirit needs to be nourished. Sometimes the spirit of moderation needs to be re-ignited when a dispute with a religious background occurs. Stube-HEMAT Bengkulu held a discussion entitled "Remembering the Spirit of Moderation". It campaigns the discussion activity of Stube-HEMAT Bengkulu.

The small discussion was held at Arastamar Theological College of Bengkulu (STTAB) on November 17, 2023. Iman Kristina Halawa hosted the discussion by sharing material about moderation in evangelical churches. Some believers believe they are the rightest one, feel right, or are more right than others. However, we are grateful, that more and more church members are accepting diversity. Churches no longer justify themselves and blame others’ beliefs. Now, the church can implement belief in Christ without perceiving others with different religions as wrong.

An understanding like this seems simple but is sometimes forgotten due to the many ideas that racing out in mind every day. This time, the participants of Stube-HEMAT were invited to recall the spirit of accepting each other, getting along while upholding equality, and the feeling of mutual respect.

On this occasion, the participants had the opportunity to express their opinions. According to Tommy Helfiger Sakoikoi's opinion, religious moderation is a person's perspective, attitudes, and behavior that must be practiced in their daily life by their beliefs. As an example of religious moderation in the tolerance indicator, we can see how Indonesian people live their daily lives with mutual respect and respecting other religious celebrations. Why should there be religious moderation? There are three reasons why it is important to understand religious moderation. First, social conflicts often arise with religious nuances. Second, there is a threat in social divisions. Third, there is also threat violence and victims. Tommy experienced the third reason, when he celebrated Christmas, the celebration was disbanded by the head of the house complex, and finally Christmas was celebrated at our respective house.

Ponzi added, that a theologian must have a strong awareness of religious moderation because moderation is one of the benchmarks that must be created by Christians so that their ethical lifestyle is visible as a true believer of Christ. In Indonesia there are various ethnicities, religions, and cultures, so, it is necessary to create good and correct moderation to unite diversity well to live in peace and harmony in the life of the nation and state.

According to him, the obstacle in creating religious moderation is how accepting one teaching over another. They consider themselves to be the correct ones, while others are not. This perspective is not good to develop because the impact is felt by society. A theologian plays a role in it and becomes an example of creating peace in the nation and state.

Moderation is created through communication, socialization, and cooperation with one another. One of the basics that must be created in moderation is children's education so that through educational institutions a good atmosphere can be created. So, the basis is good socialization and communication to create harmony.

The discussion equipped participants to appreciate differences more. It is important because the participants of the Multiplication of Stube HEMAT in Bengkulu will become leaders and provide noble teachings wherever they are as servants of Christ. ***

Central Bengkulu Regency is the youngest regency based on Law No. 24 of 2008 and a division of North Bengkulu Regency. The Central Bengkulu region consists of lowlands, hills, and coastlines which makes Central Bengkulu have a variety of natural appeals, including mountains, beaches, rivers, and waterfalls. These appeals inspire activists of Stube HEMAT in Central Bengkulu by inviting people to visit Central Bengkulu and enjoy its natural beauty. Therefore, the activities in July 2023 chose a topic about Tourism in Central Bengkulu at the Kampung Durian tourist attraction, Taba Penanjung, Central Bengkulu. Ten participants shared their experiences of visiting tourist areas in Central Bengkulu. The following are tourist spots in Central Bengkulu we visited, including photo documentation we have.

1. Datar Lebar Waterfall

Located in Datar Lebar village, Taba Penanjung, Central Bengkulu, the tourist spot presents the beauty of a waterfall that seems to be split into two parts by large rocks. The water is relatively fast with beautiful and calm natural views. To get to this location, visitors must leave their vehicles in the tourist parking area and then walk through the refreshing atmosphere of dense forest on either side. It is very suitable for nature lovers who like adventure.

2. Curug Pesuk Waterfall

It is located in Penembang village, Meriai district. The waterfall is not relatively high but has clean water. It is like a terrace with a large bathing area so it is suitable for a holiday with family and children.

3. Kandis Hill

It is located in Durian Demang village, Karang Tinggi district, Central Bengkulu Regency. This tourist spot is admired by rock climbers. Kandis Hill is an abandoned mining site. It is called Kandis Hill because many Kandis tamarind trees grow in this area. When the climbers/rock climbers are at the top, they will view the coast of Bengkulu City and Mount Bungkuk in Central Bengkulu. Because of its beauty, Kandis Hill was categorized as the most popular tourist appeal, occupying the 3­rd place in the Indonesian sports and adventure tourism category in the annual Anugerah Pesona Indonesia (API) awards event, organized by the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism.

4. Durian Village

Durian Village, where we carry out activities (July 02, 2023), is located in Taba Penanjung, Central Bengkulu. This place become popular because it offers beautiful views of hills, rivers and large swimming pools for all groups. There are villas for visitors who want to stay overnight and many coffee shops. Because of its beautiful and comfortable place, tourists are interested in bringing their families from various generations. If you do not want to swim in the pond, then you can also swim in the river. The number of security officers is adequate to maintain the safety and comfort of visitors.

Promotion of regional potencies needs to be carried out to increase the number of tourists to Central Bengkulu, increasing regional income for development and community welfare. Let us love our area. ***

Social entrepreneurship, a term that is not widely understood by the public, is an interesting topic for discussion, so the Stube-HEMAT community in Bengkulu held a discussion and sharing session about it (Monday, June 12, 2023), A discussion on Social Entrepreneurship with the Sub Theme: Building Entrepreneurship by reading opportunities to discover creative innovations that have a positive impact on society. Facilitated by Yosafat Gratia Prasetyo, the discussion was attended by students from Arastamar Bengkulu Theological College (STTAB).

The activity encouraged students to become pioneers in creating and starting creative and innovative businesses as well as having a positive impact on the surrounding environment. Social Entrepreneur has the definition of someone who can take advantage of ideas and innovations from various kinds of problems encountered in business as an opportunity to create new businesses that are useful in the context of community empowerment. The main goal of social entrepreneurs is not to make profits or customer satisfaction but, to focus on results that bring a positive impact on society. As the Ashoka Foundation states, 'Unlike traditional business entrepreneurs, social entrepreneurs are primarily trying to generate ‘social value’ rather than profit. And unlike most not-for-profit organizations, their work is targeted not only for small-scale direct impact but also for long-term change or impact.

Regarding the definition of a social entrepreneur, there are several aspects to make a person or an entrepreneur belong to the category or referred as a social entrepreneur which include; business objectives (solution of social issues) and management of business results (granted for social activities).

In the STTAB, waste management activities have been carried out, by processing wet waste into compost and recycling dry waste. For a larger scope of waste problem in Bengkulu City, there is no temporary waste disposal site provided by the government, consequently, it is disposed directly to the garbage dump, located far enough from Bengkulu City. The condition drives people to throw garbage carelessly, even though there are residents who take the initiative to collect domestic waste with a minimum tariff reaching Rp 30.000 per family. For those with a moderate economy, this is not a problem, but for those with a low economy, it is a big problem. So, finally there is careless waste dumped in various places, in particular, piles of household waste are often found on the roadside, and it caused discomfort among residents.

The social problem related to waste opens business opportunities actually, for management, recycling, transportation, and many more. By involving the community and related parties, social entrepreneurs will help the community respond to the waste problem in Bengkulu. (IKH) ***

The Stube-HEMAT community in Bengkulu held a discussion and sharing on building entrepreneurship from social problems, producing and meeting needs, and overcoming economic gaps in the community in Bengkulu (Wednesday,31/05/2023). With resource person Iman Kristina Halawa, M, Th, the discussion was attended by participants from students from the Arastamar Bengkulu Theological College (STTAB). The activity aimed for students to know about SDGs related to entrepreneurship that can be done to meet needs and overcome economic disparities in Bengkulu society.

Understanding social problems is very important for those who work in the social entrepreneurship field because by understanding the breadth and depth of the problem, one will find opportunities for action to deal with it, such as prevention, resolution, or development. The causes of social problems are very complex, including dimensions related to patterns of behavior, patterns of interaction, changes and conflicts of values, to those resulting from situations of injustice, neglect of human rights, and ecological damage.

The social problems that occur are increasingly complex, both in causes and consequences. Social entrepreneurs are expected to contribute ideas and actions that touch the problems that have been considered unsolvable and should be seen as opportunities to solve problems. Currently, many social problems in Indonesia need attention, whether due to social dysfunction of individuals, and families, or institutional and organizational dysfunction, including social and public service institutions.

In Bengkulu City, a problem that continues to be a polemic is that street children that are unsupervised, pressured, and exploited by several individuals who take advantage of their helplessness. Answering this social problem by seeing it as an opportunity for social entrepreneurs by training and equipping street children through activities that develop their creativity so that they can reduce social problems. Creativity is used to generate income that can be used to achieve the goals.

Business opportunities by answering social problems are a challenge for everyone involved in social entrepreneurship. It turns out that many opportunities can be found by studying existing social problems. (IKH) ***

In the note of 'The Story Of Coffee', Indonesia is one of the largest countries in the world, consisting of thousands of islands. Several main islands, such as Sumatra, Java, and Sulawesi, are known worldwide for their high-quality coffee.

In the island of Sumatra, Bengkulu province produces 80 tons of coffee per year. With this large production, Bengkulu is the third-largest coffee-producer in Indonesia. With this fact, almost all plains of Bengkulu are overgrown with coffee plants. Coffee plantations are very large in Central Bengkulu Regency. Most people there have their own Robusta coffee plantation. That’s why there are so many coffee lovers there and coffee has been used as their daily beverage.

With large coffee production, it causes piles of coffee husk waste at coffee mill factories. On this occasion, Stube held a meeting to turn this coffee husk waste into something useful that can be used as a substance in other products. So, we went to the coffee mill area to collect coffee husk waste to be used as fertilizer (Saturday, 30/05/2023).

The materials needed are coffee husks, organic waste, and manure. First, put the coffee husk in a sack, then also put the manure and organic waste into it. Repeat until the pile is 1 meter high. Then covered with plastic to protect it from rain and sun. For this fertilizer, you have to wait 1-2 months until all the substances are ready to be used as plants fertilizer.

Although making coffee husks as fertilizer is not a new thing for the people of Central Bengkulu, they only use coffee husks that have been idled for 1 month and mixed with red soil, then given to the flower plants. On this process, we added manure and organic waste for addition.

Apart from the fertilizer-making activity, we discussed how to turn waste into something useful. In addition to the coffee husk waste that we have used as fertilizer, other ideas exist, namely how to use cassava waste, ketupak fruit husks, dry leaves, dried flowers, plastic sachets, and other wastes met in everyday life, and even how can they be a material for another products.

Next month, the fertilizer made at this time will be a good fertilizer for plants. Thank you very much to Stube HEMAT for facilitating us to carry out this activity and obtaining many good benefits in each meeting, adding insight and job opportunities. ***

Indonesia is recognized as a fertile country, many plants grow and can be processed as food. During the Stube activity (Sunday, 30/04/2023), we went to a village in Rena Kandis, Central Bengkulu Regency. There is one village occupied by transmigrants, a beautiful inland area with limited access roads that need to be built, which can be reached in 2 and a half hours from Bengkulu city. There we met Anik Pananti who makes several foods from local products, such as crackers, smoked bananas, banana chips, sweet potato chips, banana taffy, and peanut crackers.

The story of Anik's struggle to start a business is very inspiring. As a biology graduate, he dared to change her mind from being a teacher to be a business woman because she saw a good business opportunity in managing plantation-based foods. The production started in 2010 because she saw an abundance of cassava and bananas in her home which had not been optimally managed. As a migrant resident from Java, Anik can be said to be keen on seeing business opportunities. The products are marketed in stalls in Central Bengkulu, even now orders are coming from Bengkulu City.

Her products were selected to take part in culinary exhibitions as representatives of Central Bengkulu, such as the PKK culinary exhibition at the Regent's official residence in 2022, the 2023 UMKM exhibition commemorating the anniversary of Bengkulu city at Balai Buntar, and other culinary exhibitions. The food products on display attracted visitors.

When we asked why she chose to produce these foods, Anik explained that the food produced comes from agriculture in Central Bengkulu, the basic ingredients are easy-to-find and affordable. Furthermore, banana taffy, crackers, sweet potato chips, and banana chips are not easily rotten and are quite durable to store. Finally, many people are interested in these food products.

I also asked one question, "If there is no rice, can the food that you manage to be rice substitute?" "Yes, of course, because as we know sweet potatoes, cassava, and bananas can be the most appropriate choice to replace rice. Moreover, this food is widely grown in Central Bengkulu, so it's not difficult to find it," she answered firmly. “If it is seen that chips and crackers are not filling enough, then these ingredients can be made into getuk, combro, misro, or banana cake. So the answer is yes," she added.

We got an opportunity to observe the production site at her house. The place is not very large, because they are transmigrants, but from it, we witnessed the manufacturing process and the materials managed.

At the end of the meeting, Anik gave a message and motivation to the participants, especially students, "Don't be shy selling local food or agricultural products even though you are already a university graduate. Whatever around us, can be material for doing entrepreneurship as long as there is a will. Don't be afraid of loss or failure because in business, there could be a loss, but it's like a wheel, when you lose, wait for the time to make a profit. Losses and failures drive us to think and find solutions that lead to innovations." ***

In mid-February 2023, Multiplicator of Stube-HEMAT in Bengkulu met Pastor Dwijoko, Catholic Church of St. John, Bengkulu. The meeting took place several times and one of the meetings was recorded and uploaded through the YouTube channel link1 "Sang Petani". The meeting continued with a discussion of ‘anxiety sharing’ about the community's dependence on food that was not produced by themselves. A discussion with students of Stube-HEMAT Bengkulu was held at the Bhadrika Hall, Bengkulu City (03/04/2023). The Multiplicator of Stube HEMAT in Bengkulu, volunteers, and 12 participants attended the meeting. Each of them listened to the conversation with Pastor Joko who is known to have an interest in local food.

Pastor Joko started the presentation with his passion for seeds and rice plants. In the early days of his service, he was able to understand cropping patterns, seeds, pests, and post-harvest processing. His passion for farming grew because he was born and raised as the son of a farmer. On a trip with other pastors to Gunungkidul Regency, Yogyakarta, he came across a rocky area with thin soil but fertile land. People know it now as Pindul Cave, Bejiharjo. It is strange to see cassava plants that are small but produce big harvests. Sweet potato is the staple food to substitute rice if its supply is hampered.

Observing Gunungkidul, he found sorghum, cantel, arrowroot, barley, gadung, and gembili plants. He also has attention to the taro as a native Indonesian potato. He delivered an understanding to the participants that we should consume products from our surrounding nature, we eat what is provided by our nature. We take from what grows there. There are many taros in Mentawai island, tiwul from cassava in Java, corn in NTT, sago in Ambon and Papua, and sweet potato in mountainous regions of Papua. God gives blessings through plants that grow around us and enjoying the tubers is a form of gratitude. Local food is the best food and it will not reduce our standard of living.

Currently, Romo Joko is campaigning gembili as a source of carbohydrates. He promotes Gembili as rice through ‘Sang Petani’ on the YouTube channel. It can be grown in areas with minimum water, does not need irrigation, and it is superior because it is pest resistant, relatively easy to grow, and it tastes good. Currently, the Pastor has planted it in the yard of St. John's church and Theresia Chapel, Sidomulyo, Bengkulu.

Questions came from the participants, such as Iman Kristina who wants to know how to process the products, whether it is the same as sweet potatoes? Yosafat asked how long it took to grow gembili until it was harvested, whether the production is cheaper than rice. Pastor answered that the process is quite easy by boiling it. The harvest period is a year – waiting for all the leaves and stems to dry.

No less interesting was the question from Hendy if the rice runs out, also Titus asked how to make people willing to consume rice substitutes. Pastor answered, “Of course if the rice runs out, then humans will look for a replacement and they will depend on the substitute food. It’s like Noah who kept making the ark despite being laughed at. We need to do little things that we can. Do what you can do to open something new, a creative one. He also admitted that his efforts have not impacted a lot yet.

However, if it is constantly discussed in simple language, people will understand the ideas we offer. Hopefully, the participants of the discussion will be able to start it when they return home and become pioneers of local food creations. ***

         

Biodiversity is important to build sustainability and human welfare, with no exception in Bengkulu City. It became a discussion topic for Stube-HEMAT and STTAB students to learn Sustainable Development Goals related to local food products to fulfill the basic needs of the Bengkulu people. (Saturday, 25/2/2023).

Indonesia is rich in local food variety in many regions, including Bengkulu. Actually, people got many benefits by consuming local food, but they did not optimize it yet, including its management. Like the experience of one of the participants who shared about local food in Nias, his hometown. Some raw tubers are sold and the money is used to buy instant foods such as noodles and canned fish. Iman Kristina also revealed the sale of fresh bananas from Nias island to the west coast of Sumatra, however, these commodities return to Nias in the form of banana snacks, commonly as gifts.

Each region has local food but it is not optimal either availability or utilization for consumption, while it is important to meet the food needs and support the farmer's economy. A limited variety of local food cooking causes low consumption of local food, for example, tubers, which are processed traditionally just by boiling, roasting, or frying it for consumption. The challenge is how to boost the creative cook of local food. With a creative way of cooking, the community becomes interested and it will increase the selling value of the products so that the community's economy will increase.

The discussion group will cook local food such as cassava and coconut to be some products for students. They can process them, and can even become alternative ones other than rice. If there is a disruption of rice supply in remote areas, students living in remote areas can take action by utilizing local food as an alternative for the community. In the current millennial era, people, especially youngsters, tend to consume food that is attractive and instant, so we must be creative to produce local food to be up-to-date food in performance matching with the needs and desires of the public so that local food will be 'attractive' for them.

Yohanes Dian Alpasa, the Multiplicator of Stube HEMAT in Bengkulu encouraged students to plan local food products, from preparing the ingredients to the detailed marketing. Some materials and tools needed can be found easily, whereas, some others that are unavailable in the market may be provided from other places in Bengkulu.

Even the smallest effort to find alternative food other than rice is urgent to do, and students in Bengkulu must have the courage to take the initiative to start, by finding potential local food in Bengkulu, cooking and producing it from now on. ***