A significant milestone marked the opening of the integrated celebration of the 80th Anniversary and XVI Lustrum of the Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Gadjah Mada (Faperta UGM). As a tangible demonstration of its commitment to delivering research-based innovations that benefit society, Faperta UGM held the first harvest of premium hybrid melons developed through the faculty’s internal research on Friday, July 10, 2026. The harvesting event took place at the Greenhouse Facility of the A1 Building, Faculty of Agriculture UGM.
This maiden harvest event was attended directly by the rectorate officials of Universitas Gadjah Mada, led by Prof. dr. Ova Emilia, M.Med.Ed., Sp.OG(K)., Ph.D., as the Rector of UGM. The presence of the university leadership serves as a form of full support for various research-based innovation products born from the creativity of the academic community within the faculty environment.
One of the lecturers from the variety development team, Agus Budi Setiawan, S.P., M.Sc., Ph.D., explained that in this maiden harvest, there are 2 (two) premium hybrid varieties released to the public.
“These two premium hybrid varieties are designed to have a primary advantage in an exceptionally sweet fruit flavor and a crunchy flesh texture. These characteristics are tailored to current premium fruit market preferences,” he expressed on the sidelines of the fruit-picking activities.
This premium hybrid melon joint picking moment is not merely part of the faculty’s annual ceremonial celebration. More than that, this agenda represents a crucial point in the downstreaming process of research results and innovations developed at the Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Gadjah Mada, ensuring they do not stop in the laboratory but can reach the wider community instead.
Through this downstreaming initiative, Faperta UGM hopes that the cultivation technology and premium hybrid melon varieties will soon be widely adopted by farmers and agribusiness stakeholders across Indonesia. This initiative is expected to improve agricultural productivity, increase the economic value of horticultural commodities, and enhance farmers’ livelihoods. It also contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 1: No Poverty by improving farmers’ incomes, SDG 2: Zero Hunger through the development of superior crop varieties that strengthen food security, SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being by providing high-quality horticultural products, SDG 4: Quality Education through the implementation of research and innovation in higher education, SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth by strengthening agribusiness development, SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure through research commercialization and technological innovation, SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production by promoting sustainable cultivation practices, and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals by fostering collaboration among universities, farmers, industry, and other stakeholders to accelerate the adoption of agricultural innovations.
Writer: Rani Nur Rochim
Editor: Tantriani
Documentation: Faperta UGM Media Unit