UNAIR NEWS Students from the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB) 51动漫 (UNAIR) have achieved a prestigious milestone by securing first place in the National Business Plan Competition. The event, hosted by Universitas Pelita Bangsa (UPB) in Jakarta on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
Representing FEB, the winning team consisted of Abiddah Rahmatus Shalihah, Nadya Orlyn, Friscylia Renandika, and Hilya Idzhar Mumtaz, who collaborated to design an innovation that balances commercial viability with significant social impact.
Solving organic waste with Biofilter Farmtech
The team檚 project was born from a critical assessment of Indonesia’s agricultural and livestock sectors, which currently produce an abundance of organic waste that often leads to environmental degradation and environmental pollution. Rather than viewing this waste as a purely ecological threat, the students identified a market opportunity and developed “Biofilter Farmtech.” This specialized, odor-neutralizing livestock mat is designed to facilitate the conversion of animal waste into high-quality, natural compost.
淲e are witnessing a generational shift in mindset, particularly among Gen Z, who are increasingly drawn to self-sufficiency through small-scale aquaculture, aquaponics, and household poultry farming, Shalihah noted.
She emphasized that their solution aims to provide a foundation for sustainable innovation in the years to come. By applying their academic knowledge to a tangible problem, the team demonstrated that agricultural byproducts can be reframed as valuable resources rather than environmental liabilities.
Turning ideas into action
Shalihah expressed her hope for the large-scale implementation of Biofilter Farmtech within the livestock sector to address Indonesia’s persistent organic waste issues while generating economic value. The team highlighted that their product supports sustainable agriculture and fosters a circular economy where waste is minimized through repurposing. By transforming a nuisance into a marketable commodity like compost, the project aligns with global environmental standards and modern industrial practices.
淥ur long-term vision is to refine this innovation into an affordable, user-friendly, and scalable product that reaches both industrial operations and smallholder farmers in remote regions, Shalihah explained.
She urged other students to overcome the hesitation often associated with starting a new venture, noting that courage is the primary catalyst for progress. Ultimately, Shalihah believes that the most impactful ideas emerge from a genuine concern for everyday problems found within one’s immediate surroundings.
Author: Fauziah Kandela
Editor : Khefti Al Mawalia
