Dr. agr. Ir. Sri Peni Wastutiningsih, a lecturer in the Agricultural Extension and Communication Study Program at the Faculty of Agriculture UGM (Faperta UGM), Prof. Dr. Ir. Sri Nuryani, a Professor at the Faculty of Agriculture UGM, and their team conducted a series of village development activities at the “Tol Kahyangan” tourist destination in Wonolelo Village, Magelang, Central Java, through a community service grant funded by the UGM Directorate of Community Service. The activities took place from August to November 2024.
The village-based community service grant activity is one of the implementations of the Faculty of Agriculture UGM’s commitment to the Tridharma of Higher Education, which includes community service, research, and teaching. This grant, titled “Realizing ‘Negeri Kahyangan’ as a Healthy and Environmentally Friendly Tourist Destination to Support an Independent and Prosperous Village in Wonolelo Village, Sawangan Subdistrict, Magelang Regency,” includes agricultural extension activities such as the introduction of biochar and its benefits in agriculture, as well as counseling on providing safe and healthy food for village tourism managers.
In the series of community service activities, Prof. Sri Nuryani explained to farmers in Wonolelo Village how to utilize available natural resources in developing their agricultural businesses by using agricultural waste (rice husks, bamboo, and wood) to make soil conditioners. The soil conditioner referred to in the extension program is biochar.
“Biochar is a solid oxygen-limited pyrolysis product designed for environmental management and especially as a material for soil improvement, a remedy for environmental pollution, and a greenhouse gas mitigation tool in agricultural land,” explained Prof. Sri Nuryani.
In addition to the presentation by Prof. Sri Nuryani, the community service team invited Dr. Lily Arsanti Lestari, S.T.P., M.P., a lecturer in Nutrition and Health from the Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing (FKKMK) UGM, who elaborated further on safe and healthy food. This presentation is expected to be an initial step for the development of the “Negeri Kahyangan” tourist village, which aims to provide safe and healthy food in the management of agro-tourism in Wonolelo Village, Sawangan Subdistrict, Magelang Regency.
Positive responses were shown by the farmers attending the extension activities. The farmers were very enthusiastic about participating in the extension and training activities organized by the Faculty of Agriculture UGM. This community service activity is a testament to the strong commitment of the Faculty of Agriculture UGM to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 1: No Poverty, SDG 2: Zero Hunger, SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.
Authors: Ulum Yantafi, Hanita Athasari Zain, Agrit Kirana Bunda
Editor: Desi Utami
Photos: Team Documentation