UNS — The Rector of Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta, Prof. Jamal Wiwoho visited Delanggu Village, Delanggu Subdistrict, Klaten District to inaugurate UNS Merdeka Belajar program site on Sunday morning (28/2/2021).
Prof. Jamal was accompanied by Vice-Rector for Academic and Student Affairs UNS, Prof. Ahmad Yunus. Besides inaugurating the site, the Rector also attended the great harvest of Rojolele rice variety. Prof. Jamal mentioned that the occasion was a rare event, and it marks human gratitude to the God Almighty. In the presence of the Chief of Agriculture and Plantation Office (Distanbun) of Central Java Province, Ir. Suryo Banendro and invited guests, Prof. Jamal shared the background of selecting Delanggu as UNS Merdeka Belajar program site.
The Rector mentioned that UNS, as an educational institution in Central Java, has received Delanggu farmers’ concern over the harvest waiting period and rice vulnerability against pest attack. Considering these concerns, Prof. Jamal stated that UNS will not be idle and will take the initiative to assist the farmers in increasing their harvest quality.
“UNS will not stand idly and stay in Kentingan and Manahan. We need to be present in many places, and though Kampus Merdeka and Merdeka Belajar UNS will provide examples on how important it is to assist farmers,” Prof. Jamal stated.
Through the Merdeka Belajar program, UNS will send its students from the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science (FMIPA) and Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB) to install solar panels in Delanggu rice fields. The installation aims to reduce sparrow attacks and provide electric energy sources that the villagers can utilize at night. “We came with the idea to both deliver electricity through solar panels and reducing pest attack,” the Rector added.
In his remark, Prof. Jamal also stated that UNS would encourage its students to learn farming methods. This effort is taken because he noticed the young generation’s reluctance to work as farmers and leave the agricultural sector as the backbone of food resilience. Therefore, through the Merdeka Belajar program, UNS wants to improve students’ awareness of the agricultural sector’s importance and cut the stigma that being a farmer will not bring fortune.
Responding to UNS’ decision to choose Delanggu as Merdeka Belajar site, representing Central Java governor, Ganjar Pranowo, the Distanbun Chief shared his hopes that UNS students can implement the traditional method to improve the quality of Rojolele rice. “I hope UNS students can narrate ‘titen’ knowledge from farmers regarding the method they use to repel pests and implement other agricultural activities. It is university student’s duty to analyze farmers’ activities in the scientific context,” Ir. Suryo Banendro stated. Humas UNS
Reporter: Yefta Christopherus AS
Editor: Dwi Hastuti
