UNS — Food Engineering Research Group of Food Technology Program (ITP) Faculty of Agriculture (FP) Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta held counseling for vegetable farmers in Sumberejo Village, Ngablak Subdistrict, Magelang District. The team consisted of Dr. Ir. Sigit Prabawa, M.Si., Dr. Ir. Rofandi Hartanto, M.P., Ir. Bambang Sigit Amanto, M.Si., Ir. Kawiji, M.P., and Bara Yudhistira, S.TP., M.Sc.
Sumberejo Village farmers were selected because of the Magelang District’s potential as one of the centers for vegetable producers in Central Java. Vegetable commodities supported most of the people’s economy in the region. “Considering this phenomenon, we are challenged to help and improve the quantity and quality of vegetables from the farmers,” Bara Yudhistira, S.TP., M.Sc., explained to uns.ac.id, Sunday (4/7/2021).
The counseling provided by the team includes the machine optimization (process) for vegetable ozonation mid-June 2021 for “Mutiara Organik” Farmer Group in Kenteng Hamlet, Sumberejo Village. Bara Yudhistira, S.TP., M.Sc., explained that ozonation is an effort to preserve vegetables. Machine optimization is selected because Kenteng Hamlet has an ozonation machine from the Institute for Technology Assessment and Application (BPPT) Central Java.
“Thus, optimization is needed to achieve maximum preservation level for vegetables. Besides that (we) also provide counseling for packaging that meets food safety standards,” Bara explained.
Bara added that the counseling was a follow-up from their study findings that found the appropriate parameter for the process, both for vegetable and animal commodities. Currently, the available machine is only used for vegetables, but the team also provides counseling for animal products if the community wants to expand their device usage.
The counseling is expected to bridge the relationship between the university (UNS) and farmers and ensure continuous transfer of knowledge and technology besides increasing the quantity and quality of vegetables from the region. “As well as farmer’s welfare,” Bara added. Humas UNS
Reporter: Kaffa Hidayati
Editor: Dwi Hastuti