Two residents of Argosari wanted to do more than just dream. They conducted an experiment that will improve the lives of the people of Argosari.

Malang. The Field School might be over, but the desire to learn among farmer participants in Argosari Village, Malang, East Java, has just begun. In fact, it grew fast.

It all started with the biogas ”frenzy” surrounding the technology that can change the methane gas in livestock waste into cooking gas. Because of this simple technology, the people in Argosari, located on the slopes of Mount Semeru, no longer have to hunt for firewood in the forest for cooking, due to the high price of kerosene.

Recently, as is the case with other villages all over Indonesia, the enthusiasm for converting gas is also being felt in Argosari. A three-kilogram gas tank has been provided through the BLT (Bantuan Langsung Tunai or cash aid) program for all households in the village. Unfortunately, another problem has arisen in Argosari; over time, the distribution of the gas has become increasingly undependable, with supplies eventually disappearing from the market altogether. What gas is available now is certain to be very expensive.

In light of this situation, two young Argosari residents, Nanang and Slamet Djahroni felt challenged to find a simple but creative solution. With only Rp. 600,000, they carried out an experiment for replacing the Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) from Petamina with methane gas resulting from the fermentation of livestock manure in Argosari.

“The installation of biogas processors is really booming in Argosari now. Almost every home has a BLT gas tank now, but what happens when the LPG supplies run out; what can you fill them with then?” Nanang and Slamet, both alumni of the Field School, asked themselves.

The research process that Nanang and Slamet undertook was simple enough. They adopted the technology usually employed by Air Conditioning technicians when draining and filling freon supplies. In order to remove the contents or air in the tanks, they used a mini-compressor connected to a pipe and spigot. They used the same equipment to fill the tanks with biogas/methane. In order to measure the pressure of the gas to get the standard level they wanted, Nanang and Slamet used a manometer.

From this research experiment, they learned that 110 psi of methane gas could be used to cook up to four minutes. With this benchmark, they were able to determine how much gas would be needed to operate a stove for 30 minutes.

“This experiment is not completed yet, we still have to perfect some things. We need to keep trying and trying, and discussing the results with various parties in order that our simple process can be implemented for the benefit of the public, ” Slamet said.

Slamet and Nanang may not have had the opportunity to see the film ”Laskar Pelangi” yet, but they are both dreaming big and working hard to bring their vision into reality; a theme conveyed so well through the lyrics from the soundtrack of that film that say: ”A dream is the key to unlocking the possibilities of the world …”

Ismari, ESP East Java