Graduate students from the 2023 Master of Agricultural Economics program conducted a field study (Widyakarya) in Malaysia from 11-15 August 2024. The activity, which involved 19 students, aimed to fulfill a core course requirement and study various agricultural institutions in Malaysia. The field study was supervised by Prof. Dr. Ir. Irham, M.Sc., and Dr. Hani Perwitasari, S.P., M.Sc., as academic mentors
Key destinations of the Widyakarya included the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB), Beryl’s Chocolate Industry, and the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI). Malaysia was chosen as the destination because it is considered Indonesia’s main competitor in the palm oil sector and is renowned for its chocolate industry. The study aimed to enhance students’ international insights and explore Malaysia’s agricultural landscape, particularly regarding palm oil and chocolate.
Dr. Hani Perwitasari shared her aspirations for the program. “I hope they gain new insights, particularly on the development mechanisms for palm oil, the growth of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and the downstreaming of agricultural products. These aspects can extend the economic lifecycle of agricultural products,” Hani explained.
The Widyakarya program by the Department of Agricultural Socioeconomics at UGM’s Faculty of Agriculture underscores the institution’s commitment to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 4: Quality Education, SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.
Writer: Wilhelmina Alexandra Valmay Putri Aberth, Ghorizatu Shofra
Editor: Desi Utami
Photo: Master of Agricultural Economics