The Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Gadjah Mada (Faperta UGM), served as one of the hosts for the ACIAR 2025 Annual Review, a part of the collaborative project HORT/2019/164: “Preparedness and Management of Huanglongbing (citrus greening disease) to safeguard the future of the citrus industry in Australia, China, and Indonesia.” The annual review was held on Monday, 5 May 2025, at the Venture Room, 6th Floor, AGLC Building, Faculty of Agriculture UGM.
The event gathered research teams from Faperta UGM, the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), and the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI, Australia) to present their research progress on preparation and management practices in the citrus industry. The presentations were attended by ACIAR Manager of Horticulture, Dr. Sandra McDougall, and project reviewers Dr. Bronwyn Walsh and Ir. Agus Muharam, M.S. Students involved in the project were also present as part of the audience.
The event began with opening remarks by the Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture UGM, Ir. Jaka Widada, M.P., Ph.D., who warmly welcomed the activity and expressed hope that the collaborative research would bring positive impact to the citrus industry on an international scale.
“This is a crucial moment for us to continue improving the citrus industry in Indonesia and Australia. Furthermore, the research outcomes can be used as a reference for the development of the citrus industry to enhance both quality and quantity,” said Jaka.
Opening speeches were also delivered by Mr. Myles Parker and Dr. Sandra McDougall, as the Project Leader and ACIAR Manager of Horticulture. In their remarks, they emphasized the importance of this research in introducing proper management techniques for citrus cultivation on an industrial scale. They also acknowledged the various challenges faced by citrus farmers today and in the future, and expressed hope for continued academic and research collaboration between Australia and Indonesia.
“Of course, we hope to collaborate further with Indonesia in the future,” Parker stated.
The annual review was officially opened by the Vice Rector for Research, Business Development, and Partnership at UGM, Dr. Danang Sri Handoko, S.Si., M.Sc. In his remarks, he highlighted that the activity not only served as an academic forum between the two countries but also represented UGM and ACIAR’s ongoing commitment to research collaboration in agriculture. He expressed hope that the partnership between UGM and ACIAR would be sustained in the future.
The presentation session opened with a keynote by Dr. Tahir Khursid titled “Rootstock Importance, Nursery Preparation, and High-Density Field Planting”. This was followed by presentations focused on managing Asian Citrus Psyllid (ACP) pests on citrus crops, delivered by Dr. Meena Thakur (NSW DPI), Alan Soffan, Ph.D. (Lecturer, Department of Plant Protection), Susi Wuryantini, M.P. (PhD student in Agricultural Sciences at UGM specializing in Plant Pest Science), and Haris Setyaningrum, M.Sc. (PhD student in Agricultural Sciences at UGM).
Further presentations focused on socio-economic analysis in agriculture, presented by Steven Falivene (NSW DPI), Dr. agr. Ir. Sri Peni Wastutiningsih (Lecturer in Agricultural Extension and Communication), Hariyani Dwi Anjani, S.P., M.Sc. (Lecturer in Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness), and Hanita Athasari Zain, S.P., M.Sc. (Alumna of Agricultural Extension and Communication). The session closed with a presentation by Prof. Dr. Ir. Siti Subandiyah, M.Agr.Sc. (Professor, Faculty of Agriculture UGM), who is also the Indonesia Project Leader. She highlighted student involvement in the project as a crucial effort in capacity building.
Following the presentations, participants visited UGM’s Agrotechnology Innovation Center (PIAT) in Berbah District, Sleman. During the visit, the delegation was introduced to various citrus varieties cultivated in a specialized greenhouse and was given an overview of UGM PIAT’s circular agriculture system. The visit provided a meaningful conclusion to the event and showcased the integration of research, innovation, and sustainable agricultural practices at UGM.
This activity is expected to further develop the citrus industry in Indonesia, Australia, and China. It also reflects Faperta UGM’s efforts to support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 1: No Poverty, SDG 2: Zero Hunger, SDG 4: Quality Education, SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.
Writer: Noor Amelia Putri
Editor: Desi Utami