UNS — Paranggupito Subdistrict, Wonogiri District is well known for its dry farming areas, aligning with its locals’ livelihood, farming. The Subdistrict also has a superior local rice variety, Local Slegreng of Paranggupito, which has been around since 1985. The variety has a red color, which contrasts this variety with the common rice strains. Unfortunately, fewer and fewer farmers cultivated the pure strain of Local Slegreng and opted to purchase Slegreng seeds from Wonosari, Gunung Kidul under the brand Handayani which was introduced in 2017.
This phenomenon raises concern for students participating in Student Community Service Program (KKN) Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta. The students in Group 128 took the initiative to assist in preparing paddy seeds and organic fertilizer for local farmers. The programs are the efforts to preserve the Local Slegreng of Paranggupito rice.
“Our group conducted agricultural extension, especially in preparing seeds because based on our survey, most people in Johunut Village use Handayani paddy, which is not native to Paranggupito. Thus, we wanted to preserve the Local Slegreng of Paranggupito variety through this agricultural extension,” Team 128 team leader, Rahmat Arianto, Kamis (3/3/2022).
The agricultural extension was conducted in 13 hamlets in Johunut Village, Waruharjo Hamlet, Klampok Hamlet, Nagan Hamlet, Kenteng Hamlet, Johunut Hamlet, Pule Hamlet, Gebang Hamlet, Mloko Hamlet, Gemulung Hamlet, Sambi Hamlet, Prengguk Hamlet, Pakel Hamlet, and Salam Hamlet. The program was held for four days from 14—17 February 2022, twice a day in Hamlet Hall or RT/RW Chief’s home in each hamlet.
In implementing their program, the group collaborated with agricultural extension officers from the Paranggupito Subdistrict Agricultural Office, Yuwono Hastiarto, and the Chief of Farmer Association (Gapoktan) Johunut Village, Sukimo. “This agricultural extension was the first that I had in Johunut Village. Previously I had an assistance in Songbledeg Village. Alhamdulillah, the farmer association in Klepu Hamlet, was enthusiastic, and we had extension collaboration to this day,” Yuwono stated.
The assistance was started with material from Yuwono on each farmer association’s need for subsidized fertilizer (KPB) and “Mandiri Benih” (independent production of seeds). The farmers then participated in seed selection practice and organic fertilizer production. The Chief of Gapoktan Johunut Village, Sukimo, appreciated the program and hoped that the knowledge shared by the team could benefit the farmers. Humas UNS
Reporter: Ida Fitriyah
Editor: Dwi Hastuti