UMI and UNISMUH Collaboration PKM Team Holds Training on Making Chicken Feather Panels in Borisallo Gowa

LPkM UMI, Makassar — ​​Funded by the Directorate of Research, Technology and Community Service (DRTPM), lecturers at the Indonesian Muslim University (UMI) together with lecturers at Muhammadiyah University (Unismuh) Makassar, collaborated to carry out Community Service (PKM) by holding training to empower the community in using chicken feather waste as wall panel material in Borisallo Village, Parangloe District, Gowa Regency. This activity will last for 3 (three) days, from 07-09 September 2023.

This collaborative team of Community Service (PKM) lecturers, chaired by Dr. Ir. H. Ansarullah, ST. MT, IPM, AseanEng from the UMI Faculty of Engineering (FT) Architecture Study Program with members Ir. Muhammad Zainal Altim, ST, MT, from FT UMI Electrical Engineering Study Program and Dr. Siti Aisyah, SE., MM from the Faculty of Economics, Unismuh Makassar.

Ansarullah said that chicken feathers are waste that is produced every day and has been widely used, such as making feather dusters, accessories, briquettes, animal feed and so on. However, no one has ever made wall panels.

"So far, most chicken feather waste has not been used and has only been thrown away or burned. This can damage the environment. Thanks to the results of research carried out over many years, chicken feather waste can be used to make wall panels," he explained.

This environmentally friendly wall panel, said Ansarullah, has the characteristic of being able to reduce sound and absorb heat well and is believed to be quite affordable because it is made from waste materials.

"Chicken feather waste is easy to obtain, and the process of making wall panels is also cheap. In fact, it is estimated that when compared with other similar products, the price comparison is very far. For this reason, with the implementation of this PKM, it is hoped that the community, especially in Borisallo Village, can be trained and understand how to manage chicken feather waste into environmentally friendly wall panels," he explained.

In implementing the PKM activities, from media monitoring at the activity location, the people who carried out the training were very enthusiastic in following every procedure given by the PKM team.

Starting from collecting chicken feather waste, then washing it clean using cleaning agents. Once clean and deemed sterile from viruses and bacteria, the chicken feathers are dried. Once dry, then chop until smooth. Next, a method of mixing the materials in a balanced manner is carried out, then put into the media according to the desired wall size. Finally, it is dried again and ready to use.

"This wall panel can be a home product and can also improve the community's economy. The reason is, every community can produce it themselves. Because the material is very easy to obtain and is even free," he said.

Ansarullah admitted that the finished wall panels would be used at the Borisallo Village Office, to create a PBB payment room.

Apart from the residents of Borisallo Village as training participants, the Head of Borisallo Village, Sofyan, was also present at the activity, accompanied by the Village Secretary, Syamsir Alamsyah, Head of Development Section, Muhammad Ilyas, Head of Government Section, Syahril, Parangloe District Village Assistant, Mardiana, and several other village staff.

Sofyan expressed his gratitude for holding training activities for his residents. Because it will have an impact on the individual abilities of the community and in the future it will be able to improve the economy of its citizens.

"We are quite happy with the presence of the PKM Team. The community is very enthusiastic in carrying out the training. Hopefully the follow-up stage activities can still be carried out in our area," he hoped.