The Chief of Managing Committee, Dr. Agung Wibowo, S.P., M.Si., stated that this seminar is important to provide a general description for the community, especially agricultural activistss, on the future of agricultural strategy. The seminar is also expected to bring new strategies in the agricultural sector after the Covid-19 pandemic.

“History has proved that the agricultural sector has a rich contribution and become the savior of the state economy. The government’s role as a policymaker is vital in advancing agricultural development,” Dr. Agung stated.

The national seminar was attended by the Coordinating Minister for Economy Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, Airlangga Hartarto, and the Minister for Agriculture of the Republic of Indonesia, Syahrul Yasin Limpo. As a keynote speaker, Airlangga Hartarto explained that the agricultural sector was resilient in facing the Covid-19 pandemic, marked by Indonesia’s 107.18 Agricultural Exchange (Nilai Tukar Pertanian-NTP) in November 2021, 3% food inflation, and a 4.3% increase in agricultural sector export from January to November 2021.

“Agricultural sector always becomes a sector that could survive as the economic pillar in various crises in 1998, 2008, and today’s Covid-19 crisis,” he stated.

The government targeted 3.6% to 4% agricultural sector growth in 2022 through various strategic programs in the food and agribusiness sectors. These programs include stabilizing the price and supply of foods, developing horticulture region for export, developing closed-loop horticulture partnership, revitalizing local people palm oil plantation, developing integrated farming system, developing seaweed industry, achieving labor-intensive agriculture and fishery, improving subsidized fertilizer through a membership card, controlling land usage switch, and developing farmer-fishermen corporation.

These programs will be aligned with agricultural development strategies that support food resilience and improve sustainably competitiveness implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture. The Minister of Agriculture, Syahrul Yasin Limpo, explained that the five-development strategy consists of increasing production capacity, diversifying local food sources, strengthening food reserves and logistics systems, developing modern farming, and three times exports movement.

Government and University Collaboration

Syahrul Yasin Limpo added that collaboration between the government and the university is vital in succeeding in the explained strategies. Academic views are needed as a suggestion for agricultural development in the future. “This needs collective efforts,” he stated.

The third speaker, Prof. Dr. Ir. Bustanul Arifin, M.Sc. from the Institute for Development of Economics and Finance (INDEF), highlighted the challenges faced by Indonesia, including climate change and agricultural disparity. He also hoped that the university could assist the government in solving the challenges through various means, such as modern agricultural technology.

“The point for university is the possibility of technology that could adapt the weather or other technology to adapt the disparity because there is a wide disparity in Indonesia, this kind of technology will be invaluable for the agricultural sector,” he added.

The National Seminar was concluded with the launching of Kisah Inspiratif 50 Alumni Fakultas Pertanian UNS (Inspirative Stories of 50 Faculty of Agriculture UNS Alumni). Humas UNS

Reporter: Ida Fitriyah
Editor: Dwi Hastuti

The post Post-Pandemic Strategy in the National Seminar Indonesia Agricultural Outlook 2022 Faculty of Agriculture UNS appeared first on Universitas Sebelas Maret.

The book was initiated by Dr. Agung Wibowo, S.P., M.Si., who stated that the book is a means of knowledge and experience transfer from the alumni that could inspire FP UNS students and as a form of togetherness among FP UNS alumni.

“In this occasion, the Faculty of Agriculture launched Kisah Inspiratif 50 Alumni who have served in corners of the country from various professions and business. Hopefully, the book also assists in building solidarity among the alumni from Sabang to Merauke,” Dr. Agung, Vice-Dean for Planning, Partnership, Business, and Information Affairs FP UNS, stated.

The Dean of FP UNS Prof. Ir. Dr. Samanhudi, S.P., M.Si., IPM, ASEAN Eng., stated that the book is also a flashback on FP UNS histories. The book could bring their readers to remember the transformation of FP UNS from time to time.

“This history gave a clear description on various aspects, such as technological development, governmental system, to social and cultural behavior in the community. The happy and sad stories as students of the Faculty of Agriculture is an exciting part of this book,” Prof. Saman explained.

The launching received warm welcome from UNS Alumni Association Ikatan Keluarga Alumni (IKA). The Secretary-General of Central IKA UNS, Drs. Bambang Dwi Wahyudi stated that the launching reflected the quality of FP UNS alumni and hoped that this step could be applied by other faculties.

“The highest appreciation for the Faculty of Agriculture UNS for the success in shaping its students to the workplace in various sectors in this republic. We extend our gratitude to all FP UNS alumni who have been serving and becoming a leader for all UNS alumni that could be implemented by other faculties,” he stated.

Fifty alumni involved in the preparation of the book come from a different year, including Vice-Rector for Academic and Student Affairs UNS, Prof. Dr.Ir. Ahmad Yunus, M.S.; Prof. Dr.Ir. Endang Siti Rahayu, M.S.; Ir. Winarhadi; Prof. Dr. Ir. Maria Theresia Sri Budiastuti, M.Si.; Dr. Ir. Maman Suherman, M.M, and many others. Humas UNS

Reporter: Ida Fitriyah
Editor: Dwi Hastuti

The post Faculty of Agriculture UNS Launched 50 Alumni’s Inspiring Stories appeared first on Universitas Sebelas Maret.

Dewa, who is active in the International Association of Students in Agricultural and Related Sciences (IAAS) organization, also exchanged ideas in the various series of activities in Scotland. The FP student promoted his idea on the agriculture sector and its impact on climate change.

“I focus on participating in agriculture-related events, youth, capacity building, negotiation, public speaking, and building relationships with youth from various other countries to facilitate collaboration in international activities. I also raise local community awareness on food waste and its impact on climate change, required actions, and all related facts to improve community’s responsibility and awareness toward their consumption,” said Dewa.

During the conference, which took place on 31 October-12 November 2021, Dewa, who was the IAAS delegate, focused more on the 12th and 13th points of the Sustainable Development Goals. The two points are deal with responsible consumption and production, as well as climate change.

“In my opinion, we need contributions from all people in each country to contribute to achieving COP objectives. Hopefully, the global youth will be given more access to express their aspirations to find the applicable solutions that can be implemented by everyone around the world regardless of geographical conditions, culture, and so on,” he added.

As an agriculture student, he believes that, in the future, agriculture can be the main focus of the climate change tagline. This is because, in 2050, the human population will reach 10 billion. This condition means more food will be needed; thus, more forest will be converted into agricultural land.

“We hope that through the COP, there will be numerous applicable solutions, such as urban farming and vertical farming that can save land in supplying food,” added Dewa.

Dewa admitted that he was thrilled and proud to take part in this conference organized by the United Nations (UN). Additionally, he can explore various knowledge, convey his aspirations, and exchange ideas with multiple participants worldwide.

“This is an extraordinary experience as I traveled abroad not for vacation, but diplomacy matter. Moreover, this is the first time for me to go abroad and at once I must travel on a flight which lasts more than 19 hours. I am happy and proud to represent Indonesia, displaying Indonesian culture as well because here I wear traditional Balinese clothes,” he concluded. Humas UNS

Reporter: Bayu Aji Prasetya
Editor: Dwi Hastuti

The post FP UNS Students Represent Indonesia at COP26 in Glasgow, Scotland appeared first on Universitas Sebelas Maret.

The Student Executive Board (BEM) of the Faculty of Agriculture (FP) was included in the top 40 of best student associations in PHP2D. UNS was also nominated as the top 40 of best support campus in the PHP2D program from BEM FP and Association of Agricultural Extension and Communication (HM Pelita). BEM FP UNS was also nominated as the top 40 best partner institution for their collaboration with the Tourism, Youth, and Sports Office of Karanganyar District and for the collaboration between HM Pelita and Kragan Village Government.

Two supervisors for PHP2D UNS were also nominated in the top 40: Mei Tri Sundari, M.Si., supervisor for BEM FP programs, and Dr. Setyaningrum Ariviani, supervisor for International Association of Students in Agricultural and Related Sciences (IAAS) FP. Lastly, HM Pelita UNS was nominated in the best student associations in the P3D program.

These nominees will go through a series of the selection process before the announcement in the night award ceremony on 6 December 2021. A team leader of the PHP2D program from BEM FP, Ahmad Musthofa Anshori, stated that he is delighted and grateful to pass to the final round of PHP2D.

“Alhamdulillah, happy and did not expect. Our team is preparing the required documents to be uploaded for assessment. Hopefully, we got the best result and could bring home a medal and make UNS almamater proud,” Ahmad Musthofa said on Monday (29/11/2021).

The team leader of PHP2D HM Pelita UNS, Novianto Yoga Wibisono, also said that he is proud and thankful because his team’s hard works were paid off. He also said that his team would hold a coordination with the village and supervisor to ensure that the Abdidaya program could run smoothly.

The Vice-Rector for Academic and Student Affairs UNS, Prof. Ahmad Yunus, also expressed support from the university.

“Congratulation to all students and supervisors who are nominated. Please revise according to the suggestions from the reviewers during the monitoring. If you have more presentations, improve the presenter to deliver a better presentation,” Prof. Yunus stated. Humas UNS

Reporter: Bayu Aji Prasetya
Editor: Dwi Hastuti

The post UNS Faculty Members and Student Associations Nominated in Abdidaya 2021 appeared first on Universitas Sebelas Maret.

Novianto Yoga Wibisono, the PHP2D HM Pelita UNS Team Leader, stated that the biofloc pond could be used to cultivate 2,500 catfish seeds. The wastewater from the ponds is used for fertilizer in cultivating organic water spinach by the pool. “The tools needed to build the pond are pond base framework, rice husk, sand, and cement,” he explained to the uns.ac.id team on Monday (22/11/2021).

The program received a positive response from the village government and all village people. Kragan Village Chief, Widada, S.E., stated that his village and its government fully support all the positive activities held in the village.

The construction process was supervised by Sapto and Sarjono as the person in charge of Kragan Village biofloc development. The construction started with building the biofloc pond with a diameter of 2.5 meters, filling the pond with water, left behind the water for a week before adding the catfish seeds to ensure that the water was purified.

The water is then filtered and channeled through a drip fertigation system to irrigate chili plants around the biofloc pond owned by Kragan Village. The irrigation was prepared using pipes, PE hose, faucet, aquarium pump, T pipes, and L pipes. All of the stages are to support the integrated farming program implemented beforehand. The team added a zero-waste concept the reduce farming wastes.

The programs were expected to be implemented by all village people, especially in the application of zero waste to support sustainable farming. Humas UNS

Reporter: Zalfaa A
Editor: Dwi Hastuti

The post UNS Student Build Biofloc Pond to Achieve Integrated Farming Zero Waste appeared first on Universitas Sebelas Maret.

“The pink color in the soap is the result of strawberry extract as the main ingredient,” Khairum explained on Thursday (11/11/2021).

Although competing with many teams from other universities, the team did not give up and tried their best and wanted to see the result of their hard works. The team is delighted with the result and appreciates team works that they kept to the end of the competition. It is possible that the team will participate in more competition better in the future with a more innovative business idea. The team also considers their business sustainability to benefit the community. To the uns.ac.id, Khairum explained that the organic soap idea was developed due to its practicality.

“This business plan has a great opportunity to be implemented. Our team is preparing the realistic sustainability of this business and expect supports from the surrounding community,” Khairum said.

Enotech 2021 competition was held by the Student Association in Agricultural Industry Engineering (Himatirta) Faculty of Agricultural Engineering (FTP) Universitas Jember (Unej) that has two sub-competition, business plan, and national poster competition. The work submitted to the business plan competition by UNS Student titled “Develop Competitive Agropreneur Generation in Facing National Economics Challenges during the Pandemic”. Humas UNS

Reporter: Rangga Pangestu Adji
Editor: Dwi Hastuti

The post Single-Use Soap: UNS Student Team Won 2nd Place in Enotech 2021 Business Plan Competition appeared first on Universitas Sebelas Maret.

The PHP2D Program from BEM FP UNS won an IDR 35 million funding from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (Kemendikbud Ristek) 2021 and an addition of IDR 10 million from Ngunut Rural Funds. The secured funds were fully allocated to empower the local MSMEs, especially for the processed products from Family Medicinal Plants (Toga) in Ngunut to improve product added values to be able to compete with other products.

The Team also opened an Agridaya booth in the event to improve local excellent product’s added values, which received positive responses from the partner MSMEs. Sayemilah, as one of MSMEs’ partners, stated that MSMEs’ product launching had enabled her to sell his products to the market. “PHP2D activities increased the attractiveness of instant jamu that it is easier to sell in the market,” Sayemilah stated. The benefits of PHP2D BEM FP UNS were also perceived by Ngunut Village Chief, Sutarno, S.Pd., who mentioned that the event could improve the community economy and empower Ngunut Village people.

Although receiving positive response from the MSME partner and village government, Dr. Ir. Eka Handayanta, S.P., IPU, ASEAN Eng as Vice-Dean for Academic, Research, and Student Affairs FP UNS reminded FP UNS students to add more village partners to support the Student Community Service Program (KKN) for village development offered by Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka (MBKM) UNS team because PHP2D program is the implementation of Village Development MBKM.

During the implementation of the PHP2D program, students in the PHP2D Agridaya Team BEM FP UNS were not just received outside class learning but also ten credits (SKS) recognition for relevant courses such as KKN, Rural Sociology, Animal Husbandry Extension and Communication, Marketing, and Management of Animal Husbandry, Agricultural Sociology, and Marketing Information System and Marketing Management. In the future, Sugihardjo, S.IP., M.M, as Jumantono Subdistrict Head, hoped that Ngunut Village MSMEs products could develop from excellent village products into Karanganyar District excellent products.

“Hopefully, Ngunut Village MSMEs’ products could be accelerated with interesting packaging and become Karanganyar excellent products,” Sugihardjo stated.

In line with Jumantono Subdistrict Head, the Head of Cooperative, Trades, Manpower, and SMEs Office of Karanganyar District, Martadi, S.Sos., M.M also hoped that Ngunut Village local product could reach the international market. The mentioned that Ngunut MSMEs could join the International Council Small Business (ICSB) to ensure product sustainability and enter the global market.

The Tourism, Youth, and Sports Office of Karanganyar District, represented by its Office Secretary, reminded that to compete at the local and global level, the MSMEs product need to have a marketing permit that opens an opportunity for the product to be marketed as local souvenirs for local and international tourists. “Ngunut Village local products (need) to be registered to enter various souvenir centers in Karanganyar and Ngunut Village to establish Tourism Awareness Group to facilitate the establishment of Rural Tourism destination,” Agung Tjahjo stated.

The launching ceremony was concluded with a tumpeng cutting ceremony and ribbon-cutting ceremony by the Head of Tourism, Youth, and Sports Office of Karanganyar District, Drs. Titis Sri Jawoto. Humas UNS

Reporter: Alinda Hardiantoro
Editor: Dwi Hastuti

The post Support Local Excellent Products, PHP2D Agridaya Team BEM FP UNS Launched Ngunut Village, Karanganyar MSMEs’ Products appeared first on Universitas Sebelas Maret.

Supervised by Dr. agr. Ir. Muhammad Cahyadi, S.Pt., M.Biotech., IPM, the Team members are Mohammad Ilham Dhiaurridho, Firmansyah Tristadika Prakosa, Firna Fauziatul Karimah, Salsabilla Ramadhana, and Ine Febriantama. They are Animal Science Program students of the Faculty of Agriculture (FP) UNS. The study was initiated because of the high report of lactose-intolerant people in Indonesia. The team tried to study the cause of intolerance and found that the A1 variant that contains proline amino acid in the polypeptide chain beta-casein is one of the causes. The team leader, Mohammad Ilham Dhiaurridho, explained that this milk variant contains polypeptide BCM-7 that affects the production and activity of lactose enzymes that causes digestive problems such as abdominal pain, bloating, and diarrhea.

“Our concern was the Indonesian community did not meet their nutritional needs because they are reluctant to consume milk due to diarrhea that occurs after consuming milk. Therefore we conducted a study and found that Friesian Holsten (FH) Indonesia cow that could produce A2 variant and ready to be developed as the producer of digestive-friendly milk,” Ilham explained on Monday (18/10/2021).

The UNS PKM Team analyzed the beta-casein gene in 12 Friesien Holstein (FH) Indonesia cows and found the mutations in exon 7 of the beta-casein gene using DNA sequencing techniques. This mutation caused adenine to change into cytosine, thereby changing the amino acid composition of the beta-casein gene (CSN2) from histidine to proline.

This finding showed that the majority of FH cows in Indonesia bring an A1 variant alel of 0.417 (41.7%) and have a high probability of causing digestive issues. This study also found that 33% of FH cows in Indonesia produced an A2 milk variant that is friendly from people with lactose intolerance because it does not contain the BCM-7 compound and does not cause problems for a digestive system such as diarrhea.

This finding can be used as a factual basis in improving the genetic quality of FH cows in Indonesia that could produce a digestive-friendly A2 milk variant. Dairy farmers, industries, and the government could utilize this research finding in developing FH cows to produce A2 milk variants. Various benefits are projected from this product, such as reducing lactose intolerant cases, increasing community milk consumption, and fulfilling people’s nutritional needs. This condition will have a positive effect on maintaining the immune system amid the pandemic. Humas UNS

Reporter: Rangga Pangestu Adji
Editor: Dwi Hastuti

The post Preventing Lactose Intolerance, PKM UNS Team Offered Digestive Friendly Cow’s Milk appeared first on Universitas Sebelas Maret.

The signing ceremony was attended by the Ngunut village chief, BEM FP UNS, village apparatus, and the community in Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). President BEM FP UNS, Khanif Irsyad Fahmi stated that Ngunut Village was selected because the village has agricultural potential that could be developed through collaboration.

“This signing ceremony is also an implementation of Higher Education Tri Dharma, community services. We are (BEM FP) are here to serve, contribute, and learn with the community,” Khanif stated in his remark.

One of the potentials that can be developed in the village is the Family Medicinal Plants  (Toga) and MSMEs that could improve local economy.

Ngunut Village Chief, Sutarno, appreciated and supported the partnership.

“We strongly support and open ourselves to BEM FP UNS invitations to develop Ngunut village. We hope (the collaboration) could create a synergy among us,” Sutarno stated.

The collaboration will be effective for four years since the signing ceremony and will cover several points: development of local MSMEs, development of the local central market, development of local agriculture, and rural tourism.

“Hopefully, this collaboration agreement could start a collaboration in building the village between BEM FP UNS and Ngunut Village government according to the village potential,” Khanif hoped. Humas UNS

Reporter: Bayu Aji Prasetya
Editor: Dwi Hastuti

The post BEM FP UNS Signed Collaboration Agreement with Ngunut Village Government to Develop Rural Potential appeared first on Universitas Sebelas Maret.