In Indonesia, the Mechanical Engineering Student Association (HMM) and the Agricultural Engineering Student Association (HIMAREKTA) “Agrapana” of Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB) have implemented a multi-disciplinary community service program titled “Wanakarya.” This initiative, centered in Wanasari Village, South Cianjur, leverages technological innovation to modernize local rice farming practices. By combining custom-engineered machinery with sustainable agricultural training, the student-led collaboration aims to improve post-harvest efficiency and soil management for rural farmers. The program represents a sophisticated extension of ITB’s long-term community development efforts, which have focused on social mapping and rapport building since 2023.

The primary challenge addressed in South Cianjur is the labor-intensive and inefficient nature of traditional agricultural processing. Farmers historically relied on manual rice threshing—striking bundles against stones—a method that is physically demanding and time-consuming. Additionally, local observations revealed that post-harvest rice husk waste was typically disposed of through open-air burning, contributing to environmental degradation and the loss of potential soil nutrients. These systemic inefficiencies, coupled with recurring pest infestations, have limited the productivity and economic resilience of the region’s primary farming sector.

In response, HMM ITB developed a pedal-powered rice threshing machine designed specifically for the ergonomic needs and mechanical limitations of the village. The solution utilizes a bicycle-like sprocket and flywheel system to rotate a spiked drum, significantly reducing the physical exertion required for grain separation. Simultaneously, HIMAREKTA Agrapana expanded the project’s environmental scope by introducing training on the production of biocharBiochar is a carbon-rich material created from biomass decomposition in low-oxygen conditions. It has important applications in environmental remediation, soil improvement, agriculture, carbon sequestration, energy storage, and sustainable materials, promoting efficiency and reducing waste in various contexts while addressing climate change challenges. More from discarded rice husks. This approach transforms former waste products into value-added soil amendments intended to enhance nutrient retention and soil structure, while also introducing organic biopesticides as sustainable alternatives to synthetic chemicals.

The outcomes of this interdisciplinary partnership include the successful assembly and deployment of three threshing units, managed by local technical custodians to ensure long-term maintenance. Early feedback from the 30 to 40 village residents participating in the workshops indicates a marked increase in processing efficiency compared to manual methods. By valorizing agricultural residues into biochar, the program has established a circular waste management model that improves land quality and reduces the environmental impact of traditional disposal. This integrated deployment serves as a model for participatory community development in the Indonesian bioeconomy.