The Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture Universitas Gadjah Mada (Faperta UGM), welcomed a visit from lecturers and students of the Seed Technology Study Program, Payakumbuh State Agricultural Polytechnic (PPNP), West Sumatra. The visit was part of a field trip and industrial tour involving 22 students accompanied by two lecturers. During their time at the UGM Department of Agronomy, the PPNP delegation was introduced to a range of seed technology tools at the Seed Technology Sub-Laboratory and biotechnology equipment at the Breeding Sub-Laboratory, including advanced DNA and RNA analysis tools for extraction, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), and further analysis.

Head of the Department of Agronomy UGM, Rani Agustina Wulandari, S.P., M.P., Ph.D., emphasized that this visit served as an excellent opportunity for PPNP students to deepen their understanding of seed technology, plant breeding, and biotechnology. The visit, held on Monday, 26 August 2024, was attended by other key faculty members, including Prof. Dr. Rudi Hari Murti, S.P., M.P., Head of the Seed Technology Laboratory; Prof. Dr. Ir. Aziz Purwantoro, M.Sc., Head of the Master’s Program in Plant Breeding; and Agus Budi Setiawan, S.P., M.Sc., Ph.D., a member of the smart farming management team at UGM Faculty of Agriculture.

Several topics were explored during the visit, including agro-innovation, seed technology activities, plant breeding, smart farming, and biotechnology.

“Given their purpose of learning more about seed technology practices, plant breeding, smart farming, and biotechnology, we guided them through our laboratories and introduced them to the smart farming melon greenhouse located atop the Rachmiwaty Building,” Rani explained.

Rani also noted that during the discussion session, the PPNP students expressed a strong interest in pursuing master’s studies in the Plant Breeding program at the UGM Department of Agronomy. They received detailed explanations about the department’s facilities, educational activities, and accomplishments, along with the new student registration process for the Faculty of Agriculture UGM.

Following this visit, both institutions discussed potential collaboration, starting with opportunities for further studies at the UGM Faculty of Agriculture, both for master’s and doctoral programs, as well as training sessions provided by the Faculty of Agriculture UGM for the Seed Technology Study Program at PPNP. Both UGM and PPNP expressed their commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including: SDG 1:No Poverty, SDG 2:Zero Hunger, SDG 4:Quality Education, SDG 10:Reduced Inequalities, and SDG 17:Partnerships for the Goals

Writer: Hanita Athasari Zain, Ghorizatu Shofra
Editor: Desi Utami
Photo: Documentation by UGM Department of Agronomy

BUPER Talk, a national webinar organized as part of the 79th Anniversary of the Faculty of Agriculture Universitas Gadjah Mada (Faperta UGM), was held by the Department of Agronomy on 27 August 2024. The online event was conducted via Zoom, focusing on the theme “Artisan Tea: Functional Beverage for Wellness.” The webinar featured two speakers: Ir. Iriana Ekasari Muadz, M.M., Founder of the Indonesian Artisan Tea Association, and Dr.nat.techn. Rizky Pasthika Kirana, S.P., M.Sc., a lecturer from the Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, UGM. The session was moderated by Dr. Elly Syafriani, S.P., also from the Department of Agronomy.

“The BUPER Talk #11 serves as a platform for fostering relationships and exchanging knowledge and experiences among academics, practitioners, and the broader community. We hope it enriches our understanding and broadens our perspectives,” stated Rani Agustina Wulandari, S.P., M.P., Ph.D., Head of the Department of Agronomy.
The chosen theme highlighted the potential of enhancing well-being through improved quality of life, particularly in terms of health. Exploring Indonesian consumption habits regarding food and beverages, the discussion emphasized how incorporating functional beverages, especially artisan tea, can boost health.
Ir. Iriana Ekasari Muadz, M.M., shared her innovative approach to promoting artisan tea, a functional beverage with significant health benefits. “Millennials and Gen Z perceive things differently. With the establishment of the Indonesian Artisan Tea Association, we aim to elevate the image of Indonesian tea and contribute to national health. Artisan tea is enriched in flavor and produced using natural methods and materials,” she explained.
Dr. Rizky Pasthika Kirana, who specializes in plant breeding, noted the opportunities in breeding not just for yield improvement but also for developing crops with enhanced nutritional qualities.

“Nutrition is essential for everyone, as health is influenced by what we consume—whether food or drink. The materials used to create artisan tea can be improved through biofortification and expanded with plant breeding innovations,” Rizky emphasized.
The successful execution of BUPER Talk #11 reflects the Faculty of Agriculture UGM’s commitment to advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 3:Good Health and Well-being, SDG 4:Quality Education, and SDG 10:Reduced Inequalities.

Author: Khairani Nabilah, Ghorizatu Shofra
Editor: Desi Utami