The initiative involves ten UNS students from four FP study programs—Agribusiness, Agrotechnology, Agricultural Extension and Communication, and Food Science and Technology—partnering with the Kenanga Women Farmers Group (KWT Kenanga) in Wonosari Village, Gondangrejo District, Karanganyar Regency.

Wonosari Village was strategically selected due to its potential for cultivating lemongrass and ginger, which thrive in dryland conditions. The area includes dedicated but underutilized land donated for educational activities.

“In this village, we have land allocated for educational purposes, but it hasn’t been utilized due to its dry conditions. We usually plant lemongrass and ginger because they are relatively resilient,” Diana, Chair of KWT Kenanga, said.

The program focuses on empowering the women of KWT Kenanga. Through intensive guidance and training, they are actively involved in downstream products, strengthening the local economy with market-ready goods.

Using practical training and a community-based approach, the UNS students teach methods for processing lemongrass and ginger into finished products, such as herbal drinks. This approach enhances community skills and creates new business opportunities in the village.

“We aim to maximize the potential of lemongrass and ginger in Wonosari Village. These TOGA plants are processed into a finished product we and the KWT members named Sertijab, short for Sereh Wangi Jahe Mantab (Fragrant Lemongrass and Ginger),” Juna Fatimatuz Az-Zahra, a member of the MBKM grant team, explained in an interview on Friday (29/11/2024).

The Sertijab herbal drink is one of the program’s key outputs. The team also introduced innovative packaging, including sachets and boxes with eye-catching full-print designs, to enhance product value and expand market reach. This downstream initiative demonstrates the transformation of raw materials into value-added products, fostering creative economic growth in Wonosari Village and empowering KWT Kenanga.

The program’s success is expected to serve as a model for other villages with similar conditions. By empowering local communities and leveraging natural resources, Wonosari Village has demonstrated that environmental challenges can be addressed through innovation and effective collaboration.

This initiative reflects UNS students’ tangible contributions to building more self-reliant and competitive rural communities. It also aligns with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) No. 8 on “Decent Work and Economic Growth” and No. 12 on “Responsible Consumption and Production.” By reducing poverty and promoting sustainable resource use, the program exemplifies responsible and impactful natural resource management.

HUMAS UNS

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Conducted in Conference Room II of UNS Dr. Prakosa Building, this workshop presented four speakers, namely the Expert Team on Curriculum and Learning for the Directorate of Learning and Student Affairs at Directorate General of Higher Education, Dr. Syamsul Arifin; the Head of Agronomic Research and Development Department for PT. Great Giant Pineapple, Dr. Priyo Cahyono; the Head of Agrotechnology Study Program, Agronomy Department, Universitas Brawijaya, Dr. agr. Nunun Barunawati; and the Head of Agrotechnology Study Program FP UNS, Dr. Parjanto.

In his remark, Prof. Hadiwiyono, as the Secretary-General of PAGI, mentioned that the implementation of the Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka (MBKM) Program would deliver an outcome that meets the needs of the community. Provided that it is carried out in a collaborative, participative, and cooperative manner. “PADI took a role to synchronize the perception of MBKM implementation across all Agrotechnology/Agroecotechnology study program managers, both at Bachelor’s and Master’s degree, within all universities throughout Indonesia. PAGI is established to answer the challenge faced by Agrotechnology/Agroecotechnology Study Program in their effort towards internationalization,” said Prof. Hadiwiyono in the event held on Thursday (19/5/2022).

Participants’ enthusiasm was shown by PAGI members’ attendance and representative participation from universities in Indonesia, such as Universitas Sumatera Utara, Universitas Bengkulu, Universitas Siliwangi, Universitas Muslim Indonesia, Universitas Hasanuddin, and many others. In the material presentation session, Dr. Syamsul Arifin said that the policy of the MBKM program is an adaptive, collaborative, and innovative curriculum development. “The quality of graduates become one of the aspects (of universities’ performance), such as the percentage of graduates who manage to get decent jobs, to get further studies, and self-employed graduates with sufficient income. Then, the percentage that took at least 20 credit-semester on an off-campus program,” he explained.

The second speaker, Dr. Priyo Cahyono, said that PT. Great Giant Pineapple supports the agrotechnology and agribusiness field of study to meet the needs of the Business and Industry World (DUDI). “PT. Great Giant Pineapple opens opportunities for the MBKM internships program, for certain positions that can be filled by students,” said Dr. Priyo.

Meanwhile, Dr. Parjanto also explained various access for the MBKM program that the Agrotechnology Study Program students can take. These programs include MBKM Dikti and DUDI programs, such as student exchange, internships, and UNS MBKM programs. “UNS MBKM program includes Village Development Student Community Service, Thematic Student Community Service, and Entrepreneurship Development Program. There are also activities provided by the study program, namely the teaching factory development through experimental learning of Rojo Lele rice production in Delanggu Village, Klaten, horticultural cultivation in Cabeyan Village, Sukoharjo, and a smart hydroponic program, which allows students to gain 20 credits-semester for participating in the program,” said Dr. Parjanto as Head of Agrotechnology Study Program FP UNS.

Dr. agr. Nunun Barunawati expressed her agreement with Dr. Parjanto’s explanation. “In the face of globalization and internationalization, students must have more than one competency,” she said. After the workshop session ended, the event was followed by the Second PAGI Congress for advisors, administrators, and PAGI members. Humas UNS

Reporter: Bayu Aji Prasetya
Editor: Dwi Hastuti

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Amid the high price increase, the supply side also experienced a disruption with Brazil and Argentina fighting the drought caused by La Nina, which further affected the availability of soybean products in Indonesia. A faculty member in the Agrotechnology Program Faculty of Agriculture (FP) Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta, Mercy Bientri Yunindanova, S.P., M.Si., explained that season highly affects agricultural conditions, like the condition experienced by Brazil and Argentina. Soybean production in the countries dropped due to the lack of water, which affects soybean growth. “After the flower, drought will cause empty pods. Therefore, water is a critical factor in soybean production,” she explained on Saturday (26/2/2022).

Mercy considers the increase in soybean price should serve as a momentum because it is likely that the price will continue to increase in the future. Soybeans are a highly sought agricultural product due to their extensive use, biodiesel materials, animal feed, high consumption in China and the US, and plant-based meat food production. High protein in soybean affects meat quality in livestock. Thus, it is highly sought as an animal feeding material. The high protein content in soybean also makes soybean crowned as a miracle crop.

Therefore, considering its place as the lowest cost protein source for the community, it is vital to increase soybean production using the appropriate agricultural method. From 2019 to recent years, Brazil has succeeded in taking the US place as the largest producer of soybean worldwide. Indonesia could learn from Brazil in applying a good agricultural management process through large-scale, standardized, and group-based cultivation. Brazil also applies soybean cultivation certification that ensures the quality, quantity, and continuity of production.

Local farmers produced lower quality and quantity of soybeans because plantations in Indonesia were conducted separately, in numerous places, and are not managed under one system, resulting in diverse yield qualities. The coordination from local farmer groups has not improved the quality and quantity of yields. “Productivity of soybeans in Indonesia is only around 1.5 tons per hectare and a maximum of 1.6 tons per hectare in Java. Compared to Brazil and the US as the leader with 3.5 tons per hectare,” Mercy explained.

Despite not being native to Indonesia, there are around 85 local soybean varieties developed from 1918 to 2016. Some were adjusted to the local terrains, such as tidal or brackish lands. However, the issue remains that there is no large and standardized cultivation with an average of 0.25-hectare cultivation lands that are vulnerable to pests and other environmental factors. After considering this condition, Mercy suggested that soybean cultivation in Indonesia needs extensive improvement. Additionally, local people also need to consider the consumption of other grains. “There are many local wisdoms on tempe,” she added. Although the introduction to the community has not been extensive, food diversity is better. Humas UNS

Reporter: Erliska Yuniar Purbayani
Editor: Dwi Hastuti

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