CENTRAL TAPANULI, USU PR – The Community Service Team from the Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Sumatera Utara (FP USU), carried out a disaster mitigation community service program by providing training on fish processing and the conversion of fish waste into liquid organic fertilizer in Lopian Village, Central Tapanuli Regency, on July 30–31, 2026.

Carrying the theme "Innovation in Fishery Product Processing and Fish Waste Bioconversion to Promote the Creative Economy of Lopian Village, Central Tapanuli Regency," the program aimed to enhance the community's capacity to optimize local fisheries resources through innovative fish processing techniques and the utilization of fish waste with economic value.

The program was led by Vindy Rilani Manurung, S.Pi., M.P., together with team members Atmadinata Aviantara, S.Pi., M.Tr.Pi., Dr. Ahmad Muhtadi, S.Pi., M.Si., Amanatul Fadhilah, S.Pi., M.Si., and Muhammad Amran, S.Pt., M.Pt. Six students also participated in the program, demonstrating collaboration between lecturers and students in supporting community empowerment initiatives.

Throughout the program, participants received hands-on training in processing fish into value-added products such as fish meatballs and fish nuggets. They were also introduced to environmentally friendly bioconversion technology that transforms fish-processing waste into Liquid Organic Fertilizer (LOF), ensuring that processing by-products are no longer treated as waste but instead become economically valuable products.

Through this initiative, the community service team not only introduced appropriate technologies but also fostered entrepreneurship, promoted circular economy practices, and encouraged the sustainable management of fisheries resources. The knowledge and skills provided are expected to equip local residents with the ability to develop fisheries-based businesses, increase household income, and create competitive flagship products.

According to Vindy Rilani Manurung, S.Pi., M.P., the team leader, optimizing regional fisheries potential depends not only on fish catches but also on the community's ability to process and utilize all available resources efficiently. She emphasized that innovation in product processing and the conversion of waste into value-added products represents a concrete step toward supporting sustainable community economic development.

The community service program also contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) by increasing the added value of fishery products and strengthening local economies, SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) through the conversion of fish waste into economically valuable products, and SDG 14 (Life Below Water) by promoting more efficient and sustainable utilization of marine resources.