Madrasah Aliyah Negeri Insan Cendekia Tapanuli Selatan won second place nationally in the 2026 SOBAT BUMI Envirofest competition hosted by PT United Tractors Tbk, waspada.id reported. The student research team secured the award through an agricultural waste innovation titled “Tapsel Biochar Movement: A Carbon-Positive Village Movement Returning Carbon to the Soil. Stop Burning! Start Fertile.”
The national achievement highlights a student-led initiative aimed at eliminating open-air agricultural waste burning in North Sumatra. By transforming crop remnants into carbon-rich biochar, the project targets both environmental pollution and agricultural soil degradation in the region.
Team SOMI Develops Carbon-Positive Village Initiative
The school’s research team, designated as Tim SOMI, consists of five students: Sahira Latifa, Muhammad Maulana Siregar, Atika Aufa Pracha, Nazwa Amelia Pospos, and Rofiqoh Adzkia Dalimunthe. Mis Ariska Ainun Jamila Rambe, S.Si., served as the team’s supervising teacher, guiding the project through its various development phases.
The environmental project began in June 2026 and concluded with the final competition results announced in October 2026. Prior to the final submission, the student team conducted a public trial of their research alongside residents of Situmba Village in the Sipirok subdistrict of South Tapanuli in September 2026. According to the school administration, the initiative stems from local agricultural challenges, specifically the common practice among some farmers of openly burning crop residues.
Converting Agricultural Waste Into Soil Enhancement
MAN IC Tapsel Principal Abdul Hakim Siregar, S.Pd.I., M.S.I., explained that biochar production involves heating biomass such as rice husks, straw, and other plant remnants under conditions of limited oxygen supply. This controlled thermal process prevents the smoke and atmospheric pollutants typically released during open burning.
When produced and applied correctly, biochar improves soil characteristics, enhances water retention capacity, and sequesters a portion of carbon in a stable form. However, the efficacy of the material depends heavily on the raw biomass utilized, production methods, native soil characteristics, and application techniques. The school administration emphasized that proper field testing and ongoing community guidance remain essential for successful adoption.
Future Implementation and Community Impact
The “Tapsel Biochar Movement” encourages residents to view agricultural residues as a viable alternative resource rather than waste requiring disposal. The core message of the campaign, “Stop Bakar! Mulai Subur,” urges farmers to eliminate open burning in favor of sustainable land management practices.
Principal Abdul Hakim Siregar expressed appreciation for the supervising teacher’s mentorship and noted that the award serves as a motivational milestone for other students to pursue research-driven community solutions. The school has not yet announced commercial scaling plans for the biochar production method beyond the initial trials in Situmba Village.
Frequently Asked Questions
What specific materials are used to produce biochar in the Tapsel project?
The student team utilizes local agricultural biomass, including rice husks, straw, and other leftover plant materials gathered from farming activities in South Tapanuli.
When did the research team conduct public trials with local farmers?
The students tested their biochar application publicly with the residents of Situmba Village, located in the Sipirok subdistrict, in September 2026.
Which organization organizes the SOBAT BUMI Envirofest competition?
PT United Tractors Tbk hosts the national environmental competition, which culminated in October 2026 with the second-place award for MAN IC Tapsel.
Who serves as the supervising teacher for Tim SOMI?
Ms. Ariska Ainun Jamila Rambe, S.Si., guides the five-student research team from Madrasah Aliyah Negeri Insan Cendekia Tapanuli Selatan.
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