My background is in product design, and one of the best parts of my job is meeting the people who are designing simple technology for the last mile. In my second week working with Kopernik, I joined K-Team members Nonie Kaban and Iman Kasih Sembiring on a field trip to Java. We traveled to Solo (Surakarta) for two technology fairs, as part of our partnership with ICCO.
EKO AND HIS GRASS-CHOPPING BICYCLE
We traveled via Yogyakarta to meet Eko, a college student who has designed a simple tool for chopping grass. Eko modified an old bicycle, attaching two sharp blades to the back seat of the bicycle. The tool is designed to help villagers who collect grass to feed their farm animals - without chopping the grass, it can be very difficult to carry. One sack of chopped grass is equivalent to four sacks of unchopped grass. We tried the tool ourselves, and were really impressed by what Eko has designed. Rather than making a fancy product, he has made a genuinely useful product for last mile communities. We invited Eko to present his simple technology at the tech fairs near Solo.
THE FATHER OF ESSENTIAL OIL
From Eko’s house, we travelled to the Islamic University of Indonesia (UII) for our next meeting – with a stop to enjoy Yogyakarta’s traditional morning food. I always enjoy visiting Yogya for the friendly people, culture, and delicious food at cheap prices!
Mr Riyanto welcomed us to UII’s Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science and introduced us to the basics of essential oil production. Every part of a plant, including flowers, leaves, stems, and roots, can be processed into an essential oil. The raw material is cheap, but the finished product is expensive.
We were joined by Professor Harjono Sastrohamidjojo, who is known as the father of essential oil in Indonesia. He shared his great knowledge with us, explaining the production process, potential markets and quality control. We also discussed possibilities to produce essential oil on a home industry scale. When we visited their lab to see the process of making essential oil, I was surprised to see the tools were not as complicated as I had thought.
The following day we would visit Boyolali regency, a place that grows many roses and herbs, but most of it ends up going to waste. We hoped to explore whether small-scale production of essential oils could be a viable source of income for people in Boyolali.
TECH FAIR TIME
We traveled on to Solo for two tech fairs, in Boyolali and Klaten regencies. At the events, we introduced a range of technologies to the audiences, including Nazava water filters, Prime cookstoves, d.light solar lanterns, Adspecs self-adjustable glasses, PAH rainwater catchment system, and nitrobacter (a bacteria which oxidises nitrite into nitrate, reducing soil damage and boosting agricultural productivity) . Eko also presented his grass-chopping bicycle. People were very interested to learn about the technologies and try them out for themselves.
The results of the tech fair voting were very interesting. Across the two tech fairs, the most popular technologies were the biomass stoves, water filters, and solar lights, while there was also interest in the PAH rainwater tank and nitrobacter. We are now planning a pilot project in these communities to introduce these new technologies, starting with solar lights and water filters.
These technologies are popular because they offer a simple solution to the challenges that millions of people in Indonesia face each day. In product design, fancy new technologies get the most attention, but when it comes to serving the last mile, I think simple is best. I hope Eko’s and Prof. Harjono’s work will help inspire others to come up with simple solutions for Indonesia.
Nonie introduced the PAH rainwater catchment tank at the tech fairs
Eko modified an old bicycle, attaching two blades to the back to chop grass.
Apri Sulistyo joined us from East Java to introduce Prime cookstoves
People were very interested in the Nazava water filters to make water safe to drink
We also visited the essential oil laboratory at the Islamic University of Indonesia
Essential oils can be produced on a home industry scale, making use of flowers and herbs that would otherwise go to waste
We met with Professor Harjono, who is known as the father of essential oils in Indonesia
