Youth In Bogor Turns Snail Pests Into Fertilizer

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - A local resident in Bogor, West Java, is successfully steering his community away from the dangers of illegal gold mining (PETI) by turning agricultural pests into liquid gold. Wahyudin, an accounting graduate born in 1988, bypassed a corporate career in the city to return to his roots in Kalongliud Village, where he has pioneered an organic fertilizer innovation known as "POC Beko".

As reported by Antara, this potent liquid fertilizer, crafted from the fermentation of golden snails and sheep urine, has become a cornerstone in reviving 35 hectares of abandoned land. It now provides a safe, legal livelihood for those once trapped in the shadows of illicit mining.

The initiative, dubbed the "Garitan Kalongliud" social innovation program, was born out of Wahyu’s deep anxiety over the economic desperation following the 2020 irrigation disasters. As infrastructure crumbled and jobs vanished, many locals began risking their lives in unstable mine shafts.

"Preventing illegal mining is not enough with just enforcement. People need safer and more decent economic alternatives," said Wahyu during a briefing in Jakarta on Tuesday, February 24, 2026.

In collaboration with PT ANTAM Tbk UBPE Pongkor since 2022, Wahyu and the Taruna Muda Youth Group have transformed the local agricultural landscape. They successfully slashed fertilizer costs by 50% and implemented drip irrigation systems that save up to 60% of water.

The impact of this green shift is as much financial as it is social. By positioning the youth group as market facilitators, bypassing traditional middlemen to sell directly to major markets like Kemang and Kramat Jati, farmer incomes have surged by 65%.

Between 2024 and 2025, the group’s chili cultivation unit alone recorded a net profit of IDR 246,258,000 (USD 14,622.53). Beyond the numbers, the program has served as a vital social safety net, successfully transitioning eight former illegal miners into productive farmers.

Wahyu’s dedication has earned him national recognition, including the 2025 Environmental and Social Innovation Award (ENSIA) as an Inspiring Local Hero. His "Garitan Learning House" has already mentored over 696 visitors, spreading the gospel of sustainable farming.

For Wahyu, the ultimate reward is the safety and dignity of his neighbors. "If we take care of the land with heart, the land will take care of our lives. And if we move together, this village will always have hope." ***