UNS – The Capacity Strengthening Program for Student Organizations (PPKO) of the Scientific Study Group (KSI) at the Faculty of Agriculture (FP) Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta has initiated an Integrated and Sustainable Family Medicinal Plant Center (Toga) in Karanganyar. The program was introduced on Thursday (20/7/2023) to the community, especially in Wonosari Village, Gondangrejo Sub-district.
PPKO is a program initiated by student organizations and organized by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology (Kemendikbudristek). The main theme of the program carried out by the PPKO team of KSI FP UNS is “Medicinal Plant Conservation “, with the title “Empowering the Community of Wonosari Village as an Integrated and Sustainable Toga Conservation Center”.
This empowerment program aims to revitalize a similar program that previously existed called the Self-Sustained Traditional Family Medicinal Plant or “Asman Toga”. The goal is to improve the welfare of the Wonosari Village community. The main target of this program is the Kenanga Women Farmers Group, which consists of 20 members.
The launch event of the PPKO program by the KSI FP UNS took place at the house of Sutardi, the head of RT 1, in Wonosari village. The event was also attended by village officials, field agricultural extension workers, and members of the Kenanga Women Farmers Group. The community of Wonosari Village showed enthusiasm and responded positively to the introduction of this program.
This community empowerment program is one of the contributions of students who are part of PPKO KSI FP UNS, reflecting the university’s tridharma principles. Besides students, the implementation of this program also involves various parties, including academicians, village governments, partners, and other related stakeholders. Didik, the Head of Wonosari Village also supports the program initiated by the PPKO KSI FP UNS team.
“As the Head of the Wonosari Village Government, I support the programs related to the collaboration between the women farmer’s group and students from UNS,” he said.
The PPKO KSI FP UNS team hopes for a strong synergy between academicians, the community, and the government in implementing this program. This will make it easier to achieve the goals and enhance community welfare.
“Hopefully, after the launch of this program, the PPKO KSI FP UNS team can work together with the community of Wonosari Village to implement this program, which aims to improve community welfare and establish Wonosari Village as a sustainable Toga conservation center,” Amelia Dwi Lestari said as the Head of PPKO KSI FP UNS.
Humas UNS
Reporter: Rangga Pangestu Adji
Editor: Dwi Hastuti