The Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Gadjah Mada (Faperta UGM) officially launched the 2025 Summer Course on Sustainable Tropical Agriculture (SC-STA 2025) on Monday, August 4, 2025, with a series of field visits to educational sites across Yogyakarta. The program welcomed international students from various countries, including Singapore, Bangladesh, Gambia, and the Philippines, some currently studying abroad and others in Indonesia.
On the first day, participants embarked on field visits to several locations that showcase local agricultural systems and processing industries. These included the surjan rice field system in Kulon Progo and agro-industrial activities in Bantul Regency. The entire program was guided by lecturers from Faperta UGM: Wahyu Dwi Saputra, S.T.P., M.Agr.Sc., Ph.D., and Agung Dian Kharisma, S.Pd., M.Biotech., Ph.D.
The first stop was a local farming area in Kulon Progo, where participants were introduced to the surjan farming system, a technique that utilizes both wet and dry land simultaneously. They also learned about tumpangsari, an intercropping method where crops like potatoes and chili are planted together on the same plot to optimize space and improve yields.
The journey continued to Bantul, where participants visited several local highlights: the traditional culinary spot Ingkung Rumah Nduwur, the Batik Erlin batik center, and the Coklat Monggo chocolate processing facility. At Coklat Monggo, students learned about selecting high-quality cacao pods, post-harvest processing, and chocolate-making techniques that add commercial value. They even had the chance to make their own chocolate and joined an educational tour at the Monggo Chocolate Museum to explore the history and development of chocolate in Indonesia.
“I’m really excited to learn how to make chocolate firsthand, it’s been eye-opening for me to understand tropical agriculture and agroindustry,” said one enthusiastic participant from the Philippines.
All activities were accompanied by Faperta UGM lecturers and professional guides at each location. Participants actively engaged in the sessions and eagerly tried out the hands-on practices offered throughout the day.
Through this program, Faperta UGM hopes that international students gain contextual learning experiences about sustainable agricultural systems in Indonesia, while also broadening their perspectives on local agroindustry development and cultural heritage.
This initiative also contributes to the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 2: Zero Hunger, through education on sustainable agriculture, SDG 4: Quality Education, via contextual, field-based learning; SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, by promoting eco-friendly agroindustry practices; SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, through collaboration between universities, industry players, and local communities.
Author: Ghorizatu Shofra
Editor: Desi Utami
Photo: Media Faperta