UNS — The Student Association in Agricultural Extension & Communication Study Program (HM Pelita), Faculty of Agriculture (FP), Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta is awarded as one of the Top 20 Best Teams from the total of 256 teams out of 2,000 submitted proposals in Holistic Village Development Program (PHP2D), Wednesday (20/1/2021). The program was organized by the Directorate of Education and Student Affairs, Ministry of Education and Culture (Kemendikbud).
On this program, the HM Pelita proposed research entitled ‘Community Empowerment Through Mushroom Processing as an Appeal for Educational-Based Tourism Development in Gondangmanis Village, Karanganyar’. Hasan Nugroho as the Chair of HM Pelita, reveals that he is happy with this achievement. “When HM Pelita was awarded as the top 20 funded teams, we are delighted, since out of 256 teams, only the best 20 are chosen, which must have gone through a rigorous selection process,” Hasan admitted when contacted by uns.ac.id team, Thursday (21/1/2021).
According to Hasan, this PHP2D Program is conducted based on the empowerment proposal submitted in June 2020. Following the submission, on August 2020 the HM Pelita was assigned as one of the proposals that passed to get funding for the implementation of the program. The program carried-out uses a community empowerment system. There are several programs included in HM Pelita proposal, among others are the establishment of mushroom farmer group known as Mushroom Processing Business Unit (KUPJ) Gondangmanis, training on making mushroom chips products, arranging the legality of mushroom chips production, managing the rights to the Japigo mushroom product brand, and providing mini kiosk assistance in business premises.
HM Pelita chooses mushroom as an empowerment product because it is one of the commodities with easy cultivation. “We choose mushroom because it is easy to cultivate in our assisted village. In the Gondangmanis Village, Karangpandan there are 9 (nine) cultivation centers, which can be developed as a processing center to increase mushroom selling value,” Hasan explains.
Representing his team members, Hasan hopes that this program can continue on the next HM Pelita management. “My hope is, for this program to be re-implemented in the next HM Pelita management and earn PHP2D funding again, or to develop other commodities in Gondangmanis Village,” Hasan concluded. Humas UNS
Reporter: Zalfaa Azalia Pursita
Editor: Dwi Hastuti
