How to Make Rice-Based Local Microorganisms (MOL) for Fertile Soil

How to Make Rice-based Local Microorganisms (MOL) and Their Benefits

The use of MOL, or Local Microorganisms, is highly recommended to maintain soil fertility. Making MOL is quite simple, and the materials can easily be found around us. The process is nearly cost-free. The most important thing is to ensure the components of MOL, such as glucose, carbohydrates, and microorganisms, are fulfilled.

MOL can be made from leftover rice, green vegetables, and other easily decomposable kitchen waste. Simply sort out the waste around you, then place it in a plastic drum. Next, soak this organic waste in sugar water until it is submerged and let it sit for 4-5 days. After that, your homemade MOL is ready to use.

What Are the Benefits of MOL?

In plant cultivation, we often use chemical fertilizers to boost plant productivity. These fertilizers contain nutrients that plants need to grow quickly and abundantly. However, the continuous use of chemical fertilizers is harmful as it can disrupt soil balance, leading to a decrease in soil organic matter, degradation of soil structure, and severe environmental pollution.

Therefore, using MOL is highly recommended to maintain soil fertility. The key is to balance the use of chemical fertilizers and MOL. and here is How to Make Rice-Based Local Microorganisms.

What Does MOL Contain?

MOL is beneficial due to its micro and macronutrients. Moreover, the bacteria in MOL can decompose organic matter and control pests and plant diseases. Compared to pesticides, MOL is clearly safer.

Types of MOL

Aside from rice, there are several types of MOL with different functions, such as:

• Bamboo MOL – stimulates growth.
• Banana stalk MOL – acts as a decomposer in composting.
• Vegetable MOL – stimulates the growth of rice panicles and provides micro-nutrient components.
• Cebreng leaf MOL – enhances leaf fertility.
• Fruit MOL – can be used as a bio-fertilizer, decomposer, and growth stimulant for panicles.
• Stale rice MOL – serves as a decomposer and organic fertilizer.
• Kitchen waste MOL – improves the physical, biological, and chemical structure of the soil.
• Protein MOL – provides nutrients to plants.
• Sarawung and Neem MOL – prevent plant diseases.

Now, we will discuss the easiest way to make MOL using stale rice. The fermentation of these materials produces microorganisms that can fertilize plants. So, from now on, don’t throw away leftover rice and use it to make MOL. Here are the complete steps:

Materials Needed:

• 10 handfuls of stale rice
• 10 tablespoons of sugar
• 10 grams of shrimp paste
• 2 liters of coconut water
• Bucket
• Cheesecloth (to be used for filtering later)

How to Make Local Microorganisms (MOL)

1. Prepare the leftover rice and all the ingredients, then place them in a bucket. Add 4 liters of water to the stale rice mixture. Do not cover the mixture; leave it open to ferment for 3-5 days.
2. Check if you can smell a sour odor (it usually smells like fermented rice). If this smell is present, the rice MOL is ready to be transferred to a mineral water bottle.
3. Use cheesecloth to make transferring the liquid easier. Also, make a small hole in the bottle to allow oxygen to enter.

How to Use MOL?

To use MOL, simply spray it on the soil, avoiding the stems and leaves.

That’s a brief guide on how to make simple rice MOL. Easy, cheap, and beneficial!