PLN EPI promotes community-based circular economy in Gunungkidul
PT PLN Energi Primer Indonesia (PLN EPI) is promoting a community-based circular economy in Karangasem Village, Gunungkidul Regency, Special Region of Yogyakarta.
“Since its launch in 2024, the Black Soldier Fly (BSF) Maggot programme has delivered tangible results in advancing a community-based circular economy in Karangasem Village, Gunungkidul,” said PLN EPI Corporate Secretary Mamit Setiawan in a statement in Jakarta on Wednesday.
According to him, the programme managed by the Ngupadi Rejeki Karangasem Waste Bank converts organic waste using BSF maggot media into kasgot (maggot residue) and liquid organic fertiliser, providing environmental benefits while improving community welfare.
To date, the maggot house processes an average of 561 kilograms of organic waste per month sourced from 60 households and two angkringan food stall businesses.
This processing contributes to reducing waste volume that causes odour and pollution by 40–60 per cent, while also encouraging behavioural change among residents in sorting waste at the source.
In terms of production, Mamit said the programme generates 50 kilograms of fresh maggots per month, 420 kilograms of kasgot per year, and 540 litres of liquid organic fertiliser annually.
The success rate of cultivation also continues to improve, with harvest yields reaching 30–55 per cent in each cycle.
“All cultivation outputs are reused within the circular economy ecosystem. Maggots are used as feed for 547.5 kilograms of catfish and 730 kilograms of chickens per year, while 420 kilograms of kasgot are utilised as organic fertiliser and 150 litres of liquid organic fertiliser have been used or marketed. These products also support agricultural cultivation on 400 square metres of land,” he added.
Mamit noted that the programme also provides economic benefits to the community.
Through programme development and active community involvement, derivative programmes such as chicken and catfish farming as well as plantations can be run optimally.
Sales of catfish and chicken eggs generate an average of Rp1.5 million per month, vegetables Rp500,000 per month, while kasgot and liquid organic fertiliser generate income of around Rp4.5 million per year. Meanwhile, the use of maggots as feed saves up to Rp10.08 million per year in animal feed purchase costs.
On the social aspect, the programme directly benefits 25–60 people and involves 25 community members as active managers.
Mamit said the BSF Maggot programme reflects the company’s commitment to delivering corporate social and environmental responsibility programmes that not only address environmental issues but also create economic value for the community.
“PLN EPI believes that the transition towards sustainability must begin with solutions that are close to the community. The BSF Maggot programme proves that organic waste can be processed into economically valuable resources while strengthening the circular economy. We hope this model can continue to grow and be replicated in various regions so that its benefits become even wider,” said Mamit.
Ngupadi Rejeki Karangasem Waste Bank Chairman Riyanta said the programme has changed the community’s perspective on organic waste.
“Now people no longer see waste as rubbish, but as a resource with economic value. Besides the environment becoming cleaner, the community also benefits through savings on feed costs, organic fertiliser, and increased group income,” he added.