The Faculty of Agriculture Universitas Gadjah Mada (Faperta UGM) has successfully concluded the Summer Course on Sustainable Tropical Agriculture 2024 (SC-STA 2024), which commenced on 15 July 2024. The program’s closing event featured a final presentation by 20 international students from the Philippines, Malaysia, China, Japan, and Yemen. The participants presented their insights gained through pre-course activities and field trips in a 10-minute video presentation, addressing the challenges they observed and proposing potential solutions.

A key theme that emerged from these presentations was the role of Gen Z in promoting sustainable agriculture, particularly in the cocoa industry. One of the most notable presentations came from Hybrid Group 2, which was awarded Best Presenter. Their initiative, titled “Gen-Z in Coco(A)CTION,” emphasized the power of social media engagement to spread awareness and encourage sustainable agricultural practices.

“As Gen Z is more engaged with digital platforms than previous generations, social media campaigns can be leveraged to create content highlighting the impact of climate change. This, in turn, is expected to raise awareness and drive more sustainable farming practices,” explained JM Santos, a member of Hybrid Group 2 from the Philippines.

The Best Presenter award was determined based on several assessment criteria, including theoretical foundation, research methods, teamwork and time management, as well as aesthetics and creativity. The judging panel comprised three faculty members from UGM’s Faculty of Agriculture, including Ani Widiastuti, S.P., M.P., Ph.D., Nur Akbar Arofatullah, S.P., M.Biotech., Ph.D., and Desi Utami, S.P., M.Env.Sc., Ph.D. The final presentation took place on Friday, 23 August 2024, at the Venture Room, Agrotropica Learning Center (AGLC) Building, and was attended by: Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture UGM, Ir. Jaka Widada, M.P., Ph.D., Director of Partnerships and Global Relations UGM, Prof. Dr. apt. Puji Astuti, S.Si., M.Sc., and The organizing committee of the 2024 Summer Course.

During the event, Prof. Puji Astuti expressed her appreciation for the participants and hoped they would consider returning to UGM for future academic collaborations. “I truly appreciate your participation in the UGM Faculty of Agriculture Summer Course. Please do not hesitate to return—whether through student exchanges, joint research projects, or even pursuing master’s or doctoral degrees at UGM,” said Prof. Puji.

The UGM Faculty of Agriculture Summer Course aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including: SDG 1: No Poverty, SDG 2: Zero Hunger, SDG 4: Quality Education, SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities, SDG 15: Life on Land, and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.

Writer: Hanita Athasari Zain, Ghorizatu Shofra
Editor: Desi Utami
Photos: UGM Faculty of Agriculture Media Team

The Student Creativity Program (PKM) is a prestigious competition organized by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology to enhance the quality of students, enabling them to become academically capable individuals who can apply, develop, and disseminate knowledge, technology, arts, and national culture.

One of the outstanding projects funded under the Entrepreneurship category (PKM-K) is “EcoPrime Feed: Innovation in Utilizing Invasive Species as High-Quality, Affordable, and Eco-Friendly Fish Feed.” This project is led by Gerson Lewis (Aquaculture 2023), along with team members Aimmatul Husna (Aquaculture 2023), Sevina Surya Wibianti (Aquaculture 2023), Muhammad Jibril Syahid (Aquatic Resource Management 2023), and Jihan Tsabitha (Regional Economic Development 2022), under the supervision of Dr. Senny Helmiati, S.Pi., M.Sc., a lecturer from the Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Agriculture UGM (Faperta UGM).

The EcoPrime Feed initiative was driven by environmental issues in Indonesia’s aquatic ecosystems, which are increasingly dominated by invasive species. These species disrupt ecosystem balance due to uncontrolled population growth. One major example is water hyacinth, which spreads rapidly and negatively impacts aquatic biodiversity. Another is the red devil fish, an aggressive predator that multiplies quickly and threatens native fish species. Additionally, the rising volume of food waste has become a concern, as it contributes to resource scarcity despite still being potentially useful. To address this, the EcoPrime Feed team utilizes Black Soldier Fly (BSF) larvae through a bioconversion process, transforming food waste into a sustainable fish feed alternative.

The PKM-K EcoPrime Feed team innovated a high-quality, cost-effective, and eco-friendly fish feed by combining three main ingredients: Water hyacinth: After fermentation, it contains high protein and low crude fiber, Red devil fish: Contains 35% protein and a natural fish-attracting scent, and BSF maggots: Rich in 40-50% protein with essential digestive enzymes for fish. This innovative product not only stabilizes Indonesia’s aquatic ecosystems but also offers a solution to the rising cost of fish feed in aquaculture.

The EcoPrime Feed team is thrilled to advance to the 37th National Student Scientific Week (PIMNAS) and hopes for continued support to bring home a medal and scale their product for public use. “We are incredibly proud to qualify for PIMNAS-37. With strong support, we aim to win a medal and expand our product’s reach to the wider community,” said Lewis in an interview on Saturday, 31 August 2024.

The EcoPrime Feed project embodies the UGM Faculty of Agriculture’s commitment to global sustainability through the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): SDG 1: No Poverty, SDG 2: Zero Hunger, SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, SDG 14: Life Below Water, and SDG 17 : Patnership for the goals.

Author: Gerson Lewis, Ghorizatu Shofra
Editor: Desi Utami

Public speaking community at the Faculty of Agriculture is the skill of delivering information to an audience in a structured and engaging manner. It involves mastering body language and audience interaction to create a positive impression. Understanding personal grooming is an essential part of this process. This was emphasized by Frisca Clarissa, S.H., news anchor and producer at Kompas TV, during the workshop “How to Elevate Your Public Speaking and Look Well-Groomed” on Sunday, 25 August 2024.

Frisca explained that confidence plays a crucial role in social interactions and expanding professional networks. By positioning oneself appropriately, understanding the target audience, and applying the right approach, speakers can engage their audience effectively. Both speech delivery and appearance contribute to making a lasting impression.

“Public speaking is an art that requires practice and dedication, including preparation and the ability to adapt to different situations. To ensure the message is well received, it is essential to communicate effectively. Effective communication consists of three key elements: voice, content, and appearance. Additionally, articulation, pace, intonation, composure, and confidence must be maintained while speaking,” Frisca elaborated.

She also emphasized the importance of coordination and situational analysis before an event begins. Maintaining cleanliness, appropriate attire, and good body language are essential for creating a strong first impression, as they influence personal branding and help build a consistent reputation.

The workshop on public speaking and personal grooming was organized by the Media and Information Systems Unit of the Faculty of Agriculture UGM (Faperta UGM). It was attended by lecturers, administrative staff, and students. The event was officially opened by the Head of the Media and Information Systems Unit, Desi Utami, S.P., M.Env.Sc., Ph.D., who expressed her hopes that the workshop would enhance participants’ confidence, create career opportunities, and foster professional relationships. “Growing together by continuously upgrading ourselves through activities that boost confidence is essential, especially when delivering information that reaches the wider public. Learning from an outstanding speaker is an effective way for us to progress,” said Desi.

The “How to Elevate your Public Speaking and Look Well-Groomed” workshop reflects a shared commitment to achieving SDG 4: Quality Education and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.

Writer: Khairani Nabilah, Ghorizatu Shofra
Editor: Hanita Athasari Zain