The Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Gadjah Mada (Faperta UGM) continues demonstrating its commitment to empowering local farmers. This time, their commitment is realized through collaboration with Indomaret, the Agriculture, Food, and Fisheries Office of Sleman Regency, and the Millennial Farmers of Sleman to launch the Regional Economic Empowerment Program through California Papaya Cultivation. The signing of the Cooperation Agreement (PKS) took place on Tuesday, 7 January 2024, at the Venture Room, AGLC (Agritropical Learning Cente Building, 6th Floor, Faculty of Agriculture UGM.
The signing ceremony was also attended by Ir. Jaka Widada, M.P., Ph.D., Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture UGM, Ir. Suparmono, M.M., Head of the Agriculture, Food, and Fisheries Office of Sleman Regency, Liem Astuti, S.P., M.Si., Head of the Agricultural Extension Division, Feki Oktavianus as Microeconomics Executive Director of Indomaret, Purwanto Wahyudi as Marketing Microeconomics Project Executive of Indomaret, representatives from the Millennial Farmers Group of Sleman, and the Expert Team of Faperta UGM. The event began with a speech from the Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture UGM, Ir. Jaka Widada, M.P., Ph.D., emphasized the importance of collaboration in strengthening the local agricultural sector.
“We are happy and proud to collaborate with Indomaret, the Sleman Agriculture Office, and the Millennial Farmers of Sleman to start this California Papaya cultivation program. This cooperation is expected to provide real benefits, meet the demand for quality papayas, and improve the welfare of local farmers,” said the Dean of Faperta UGM, Dr. Jaka. Welcoming the program positively, Feki Oktavianus, the Microeconomics Executive Director of Indomaret, expressed his support, stating that this collaboration holds great potential and strategic momentum to support economic development in the Sleman region. He also emphasized that this program is expected to empower farmers, increase community income, especially for farmers, and help reduce unemployment rates.
The Head of the Agriculture, Food, and Fisheries Office of Sleman Regency, Ir. Suparmono, M.M., stated that this collaboration marks the second partnership between the government, Faperta UGM, and Indomaret for farmer empowerment. Previously, in 2024, a similar partnership was carried out with a seedless watermelon cultivation program in Sleman Regency. The results of this program have shown positive progress and are still ongoing.
During the event, the progress of the watermelon empowerment program over the past year was also presented. Additionally, the Faperta UGM team presented the feasibility study results related to the empowerment of California Papaya, represented by Doddy Kastono, S.P., M.Sc.
The event’s highlight was the signing of the PKS, followed by a group photo session with all relevant parties, including representatives from Faperta UGM, Indomaret, DP3 Sleman, and the Millennial Farmers of Sleman. With the signing of this PKS, it is hoped that it will open the door for other economic empowerment programs focused on the agricultural sector and enhance synergy among farmers, the government, academics, and the business sector.
“We hope this collaboration can continue and even cover other commodities in the future, creating a mutually beneficial symbiosis among all stakeholders,” added Ardhi Prasetyo, Director of the Millennial Farmers.
This activity also supports the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 1: No Poverty, SDG 2: Zero Hunger, SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, SDG 15: Life on Land, and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.
Writer: Agrit Kirana Bunda, Naomi Cahaya Dewi
Editor: Desi Utami
Photo: UGM Faculty of Agriculture Media