Off-grid Solutions Project

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Started growing and processing the superfood “moringa”

At its training center, Yayasan Dian Desa is providing a variety of training programs to local residents. For example, they grow the much-talked-about superfood moringa, and other crops. Currently, they are carrying out tests to dry harvested moringa leaves with room heaters powered by electricity generated by PSS*. They will work on developing local products utilizing dried moringa leaves (September 2018).

Photo: Moringa cultivation and villagers

Organic fertilizer production

Since the Kalimantan Island consists of reddish soil inappropriate for agriculture, it is required to improve the soil by using fertilizers. Therefore, the training center is providing a program to produce an organic fertilizer to grow quality vegetables. The process is to cut branches and leaves of leguminous Mucuna trees indigenous to the island, add bacteria, and age them. Surrounding villages started to test this fertilizer in their fields. Currently, purchased chemical fertilizers are generally used. By switching to an organic fertilizer, it is expected to reduce both environmental and household economic burdens.

Photo: Moringa harvesting

Superfood “moringa” growing and processing

Moringa grown from seedlings or cuttings are harvested around six months later, for sorting, cleaning, and drying. Leaf drying tests are underway to develop local products using the superfood. Efforts are being made to establish manufacturing processes that will ensure stable quality since room temperature must be kept at 40˚C or below to prevent leaf fermentation or discoloring. As moringa is not familiar or eaten in the community, some people are participating training to learn how to make moringa useful to develop their community.

Photo: Moringa processing

Local residents are carrying out tests to produce fried crackers by mixing dough made from the freshwater fish caught in the river with dried moringa, which have a slightly bitter flavor. The product is being developed by leveraging moringa and characteristics of the region along the large river where large quantity of freshwater fish are available.

Collecting and processing honey

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In the purpose-built small building located on the premises of the training center, local residents are learning and working to collect and process honey.They collect honey with a plum-like flavor from natural honeycombs where the nectar of diverse flowers blooming in Kalimantan is condensed, and then filter out impurities.
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In the drying room where electricity generated by PSS* is utilized, they increase the honey's sugar content by removing water for three days using desiccant. Subsequently, they will establish the condensing process required for producing higher-quality honey, develop packages, and take the step to promote sales.

* This Power supply station (Power supply container) was discontinued in March 2019. So currently we cannot supply and donate it. Thank you for your understanding.