The Faculty of Agriculture Universitas Gadjah Mada (Faperta UGM) team implemented a Community Service Program (PKM) titled “Empowerment of Farmers in Southwest Sumba in Anticipating the Locust Outbreak Through the Utilization of Locusts.” This program is a response to the locust outbreak incident (Locusta migratoria manilensis) that affected Sumba Island in East Nusa Tenggara Province in 2023. This PKM aims to provide solution-based extension services to farmers to anticipate and manage locust pests. The activity, which will run for 10 months, started on 29 February 2024, and will end on 9 December 2024. The program is led by Prof. Dr. Ir. Fransiscus Xaverius Wagiman, S.U. from the Department of Plant Pest and Disease, with team members Dr. Dyah Woro Untari, S.P., M.P. from the Department of Agricultural Social Economics, and Ines Citra Risqika, a student from the PKP program.
The extension service was held in July 2024 at the Southwest Sumba Regency Agriculture Office and attended by representatives from farmer groups, farmer leaders, field agricultural extension workers (PPL), and plant pest control officers (POPT). During the extension, participants were given knowledge about strategies for handling locust pests, including techniques for capturing and utilizing locusts as an alternative resource. Although the locust outbreak had subsided, this extension prepared farmers to face potential future attacks.
This program is fully supported by Faculty of Agriculture UGM through PKM grants and collaboration with the Southwest Sumba Agriculture Office. With financial support and the provision of facilities for the extension, the event proceeded smoothly and was enthusiastically welcomed by the participants. It is hoped that this extension can increase farmers’ knowledge and motivation to anticipate and manage locust pest attacks sustainably. This program also demonstrates the commitment of the Faculty of Agriculture UGM in contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 2: Zero Hunger, SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, SDG 13: Climate Action, and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.
Writer: Agrit Kirana Bunda, Naomi Cahaya Dewi
Editor: Desi Utami
Photo: UGM Faculty of Agriculture Media