04 September 2025
Syafrijal S.Kom
Lecturers from the University of North Sumatra (USU) are collaborating internationally with Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) to conduct community service to find solutions to waste and tourism issues at the Berastagi Fruit Market in Karo Regency.
The community service program, which ran from June 2025 to November 2025, involved 10 USM lecturers, led by Dr. Norizan Baba Rahim.
The USU team from the Faculty of Agriculture and the Faculty of Engineering was led by Dr. Nurzainah Ginting, with members including Prof. Zuhrina Masyithah, Prof. Armansyah Ginting, and Ir. Edhy Mirwandhono, M.Si.
"This Community Service Program is an international collaboration between the University of North Sumatra and University Sains Malaysia. The target of this collaborative service is the Berastagi Fruit Market," said Dr. Nurzainah Ginting, Tuesday (August 19).
Dr. Nurzainah explained that through this collaboration, the two universities are solving problems encountered at the Berastagi Fruit Market.
Organic waste, both vegetables and fruit, is generated daily from leftovers from fruit and vegetable vendors, including boiled corn husks.
"There's also solid horse manure from the tourist horses at both the fruit market and Gundaling. Tourist complaints primarily concern the smell of horse urine scattered around the area," he explained.
Dr. Nurzainah acknowledged that the solution her team has developed is to teach the production of biodisinfectants capable of eliminating the odor of horse urine, as well as training in making solid fertilizer from horse manure, fruit, and vegetable waste, as well as liquid organic fertilizer from horse urine.
"Counselling on addressing the problem of horse urine odor by teaching the production of biodisinfectants and their application to horse urine began in June 2025 for horse owners under the Berastagi Horse Club, led by Mr. Wanta Sebayang," she said.
"Meanwhile, the production of solid fertilizer from horse manure, vegetable/fruit waste, and liquid organic fertilizer was carried out in early August 2025 by a team from the University of Science Malaysia (USU), as well as tourism training by a team from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)," she added.
Dr. Nurzainah further stated that another problem is that fruit and vegetable vendors have not provided adequate service to both local and international tourists.
"The solution offered is for the USM Community Service Team to provide training on how to serve customers, who are generally tourists, both local and international," she said.
Dr. Nurzainah also mentioned that this community service was also assisted by 10 USU students who enthusiastically welcomed the participants' active participation during the practical sessions.
"Support for this community service also came from the Head of the Karo Regency Culture, Youth, and Sports Office, Mr. Munarta Ginting, SP; the Head of the Creative Economy Division, Ms. Rista Natalia Sinaga, SE., ME; and their staff," she concluded.
