Unismuh Makassar Students Win National Essay Competition with Innovative Paving Block from Waste

UNISMUH.AC.ID, MAKASSAR – The Agribusiness Study Program students at Universitas Muhammadiyah Makassar (Unismuh) have won first place in the National Agricultural Competition Essay Week FAPERTA of Jambi University (UNJA). This achievement was achieved through an innovative concept titled "AGROWEL HYBRID," which focuses on processing agricultural and household (agri-waste) waste into valuable products.

Led by Muhammad Naufal, along with his two team members, Lutfiah Ariandty and Fahirawati, the team presented an innovation that offers a unique circular economy solution in Desa Manimbahoi, Gowa Regency.

The essay competition was held online from August 27 to 28, 2025, while the interview with the team leader was conducted at the Unismuh Makassar campus on November 17, 2025.

The key innovation of the Unismuh team is a hybrid machine. This machine is designed to convert organic waste into biogas, which is then used as fuel to melt plastic waste, which is then molded into paving blocks.

Team Leader, Muhammad Naufal, explained that the main advantage of this concept is its ability to integrate the processing of two types of organic and inorganic waste. This idea arose as a solution to the growing problem of waste accumulation, both at the village and urban levels, as seen in the Antang landfill.

"As I said, we process waste, and we also process organic waste, and we also process inorganic waste," said Muhammad Naufal during an interview in Makassar.

Naufal added that this idea is not only focused on waste processing but also economic empowerment.

"We also hope that the waste in Indonesia or specifically in Desa Manimbahoi can be reduced and utilized optimally," he added.

In the Agro Well Hybrid concept, Naufal explained that organic waste such as vegetable and animal waste is fermented to produce biogas and bio-slurry. This biogas is the core of the team's renewable energy innovation.

The heat from the biogas is then used as fuel to heat and melt inorganic waste, such as non-biodegradable plastic waste. The melted plastic is molded into paving blocks with high economic value.

Interestingly, Naufal admitted that the "Agro Well Hybrid" concept was not their initial idea.

The initial idea of the team was considered too general by their supervisor, Aswar, who encouraged the team to find a more specific and impactful idea.

Naufal said that while the concept of paving blocks from plastic already exists, the innovation of the team lies in using biogas from organic waste as an energy source.

This replaces the use of expensive and environmentally unfriendly fossil fuels, creating a truly circular economic cycle.

The process of writing the essay was not without challenges, especially regarding time.

Naufal and his team had to work under very tight deadlines after realizing that the competition deadline was approaching.

"For the biggest challenge, I think it was just the time issue. Because we didn't see the deadline. But it turned out that it was only two days before the deadline," said Naufal.

As the team leader, Naufal was responsible for dividing tasks and maintaining the team's pace, which was largely coordinated online due to the holiday season.

He implemented a strategy of dividing tasks based on individual expertise, such as assigning members who were skilled in paraphrasing or using Turnitin.

According to Naufal, the success of winning this championship is not without the support of the university. The Agribusiness Study Program at Unismuh provided facilities, faculty guidance, and even covered the registration costs for the two teams sent.

Although they have won first place, Naufal does not want this innovation to stop as just an idea on paper. He and his team have a long-term plan to realize a prototype of this "Agro Well Hybrid" machine in their study location.

"For our program, we still don't know, but we will try to make the tool in the village," said Naufal, emphasizing the hope that this innovation can soon contribute to the empowerment of the village and the environment.