Faculty of Agriculture Universitas Gadjah Mada (Faperta UGM) just held its annual Kenal Kebun 2024 event, held in two phases from 23-25 August and 30 August 30 to 1 September 2024. This year’s program saw participation from 384 local students and 9 international students from the ASEAN International Mobility Student (AIMS) program, hailing from Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, and Laos.
Kenal Kebun 2024 aims to provide students with direct, hands-on experience in the cultivation and processing of tea and cocoa, commodities not commonly encountered on campus. Prof. Subejo S.P., M.Sc., Ph.D., Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, and Cooperation, highlighted the value of this initiative. “This is an exceptional opportunity for students to experience agricultural practices firsthand, enriching their theoretical knowledge with practical insights,” said Prof. Subejo.
The event took place at two key locations: Pagilaran Tea Plantation and Segayung Cocoa Plantation. Dr. Firdausi Nur Azizah, S.P., Chair of the Kenal Kebun 2024 Committee and Faculty of Agriculture lecturer, explained that the program is designed to offer a comprehensive understanding of the agricultural production chain from start to finish. “Agriculture students will learn about the cultivation of coffee, tea, and cocoa, including seedling production, fertilization, pest control, and processing, ensuring they gain foundational knowledge in the field,” Dr. Firdausi noted.
At Pagilaran Tea Plantation, participants engaged in various tea cultivation activities, such as compost production, plant breeding, seedling preparation, pest management, pruning, and harvesting, and observed the tea processing in the factory. Meanwhile, at Segayung Cocoa Plantation, students explored cocoa cultivation and processing, including seedling production, vegetative propagation, and fermentation, gaining a full-cycle production experience.
The Kenal Kebun 2024 program received enthusiastic feedback from participants, with clear excitement from both local and international students. Jinwon Gang from South Korea expressed his excitement about the opportunity, noting that Kenal Kebun provided valuable hands-on learning experiences in agricultural practices. Similarly, Takuma Onose from Japan found the experience enjoyable and enriching, appreciating the unique insights and the chance to engage with nature in ways not available back home.
Through Kenal Kebun 2024, Faculty of Agriculture UGM aims to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 4: Quality Education, SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, and SDG 15: Life on Land.
Reporter: Agrit Kirana Bunda
Author: Desi Utami