The Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Gadjah Mada (Faperta UGM), officially launched the Summer Course on Sustainable Tropical Agriculture 2025 (SC-STA 2025) on Monday, 21 July 2025, held virtually via Zoom. Carrying the theme “The Journey of Coffee from Seed to Cup,” the program brought together 52 participants from diverse educational levels and professional backgrounds, both from Indonesia and abroad, including Gambia, Sudan, the Philippines, Singapore, Pakistan, India, Ghana, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia.

SC-STA 2025 represents a concrete step by Faperta UGM in supporting the internationalization of education and fostering cross-country collaboration. The program is designed to broaden participants’ understanding of sustainable tropical agriculture through theoretical learning and hands-on field practice, while also strengthening international academic networks.

Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture UGM, Ir. Jaka Widada, S.P., M.Sc., Ph.D., emphasized in his opening remarks that this year’s Summer Course specifically focuses on the practice of sustainable tropical agriculture by using coffee as a case study.

“This program is designed not only as an academic space but also as a valuable experience that encourages practical understanding of sustainable tropical agriculture,” he stated.

Jaka also encouraged all participants to actively engage throughout the program. “I invite students to not hesitate in asking questions, joining discussions, and building connections. This is the moment to expand your knowledge and turn it into a meaningful experience. I wish you all a very successful and enjoyable Summer Course,” he concluded.

The program runs for two weeks under two schemes: an online session from 21–25 July 2025, covering topics such as sustainable tropical agriculture, adaptive farming systems, integrated smallholder plantations, agricultural innovation, and socio-economic perspectives; followed by an offline session from 4–8 August 2025, which includes field visits to various coffee centers in Yogyakarta and Central Java.

The program also features speakers from various national and international institutions, including:

• Pattrawut Pusingha (University of York, UK)
• Manuel Boissiere (CIRAD, France)
• Cheng-I Hsieh (National Taiwan University, Taiwan)
• Sudaryanto, M.Si. (National Project Manager, Indonesia)
• Irfan Dwidya Prijambada (Universitas Gadjah Mada, Indonesia)
• Elida Novita (National Chairman & Chief of Java Ijen Coffee Section – Universitas Jember, Indonesia)
• Tofael Ahamed (University of Tsukuba, Japan)
• Retno Hulupi (Indonesian Coffee and Cocoa Research Institute)
• Sastia Prama Putri (Osaka University, Japan)
• Dyah Woro Untari, S.P., M.P. (Universitas Gadjah Mada, Indonesia)
• Maria Victoria Espaldon (University of the Philippines Los Baños, Philippines)

Through an interdisciplinary approach, participants are invited to explore the challenges and solutions in coffee production as well as sustainability principles relevant to tropical agriculture. SC-STA 2025 also directly contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 1: No Poverty, SDG 2: Zero Hunger, SDG 5: Gender Equality, SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities, SDG 13: Climate Action, SDG 15: Life on Land, and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.

Authors: Agrit Kirana Bunda, Anin Dita Rahmadiyanti

Editor: Desi Utami

The Community Service–Community Empowerment Learning Program of Universitas Gadjah Mada (KKN-PPM UGM) “Melukis Pakis” carried out a community empowerment program in Ketundan and Kragilan Villages, Pakis Subdistrict, Magelang Regency, Central Java. This initiative adopted the theme “Optimization of Integrated Agricultural Land Potential Based on Technology and Local Wisdom for the Empowerment of Smart Villages and Raising Awareness of Oral Health Risks in the Communities of Ketundan and Kragilan Villages, Pakis Subdistrict, Magelang Regency, Central Java” with Field Supervisor (DPL) Budi Rodestawati, S.Kp.G., M.P.H.

Surya Adetya (Soil Science 2022), a member of the Melukis Pakis team and a student of the Faculty of Agriculture UGM (Faperta UGM), initiated two main programs: “Workshop on the Utilization of BSF Maggots as Bioconverters of Household and Vegetable Organic Waste” and “Workshop on the Making of Gallon Composters for the Production of Liquid Organic Fertilizer as a Solution to Acid Soil pH Problems.” These were held on Thursday, 10 July 2025, and Thursday, 25 July 2025, targeting farmers, Women Farmer Groups (KWT), and the general public of Gerotan Hamlet.

According to Surya Adetya, organic waste management in the area still faces several challenges, including low public awareness of its economic value. “Some residents are not yet accustomed to utilizing organic waste into useful products, so a persuasive approach and real-life examples are needed to encourage adoption. The limited timeframe of KKN also presents a challenge in ensuring consistent implementation of the technology in the community,” he explained.

During the workshops, residents of Gerotan Hamlet showed strong enthusiasm, especially as the materials provided had direct benefits for their farming activities. Several participants actively asked questions and practiced firsthand in making BSF maggots and gallon composters.

“Through this program, we hope the people of Gerotan Hamlet can continue to independently apply organic waste management technologies, develop liquid organic fertilizer products, and share this knowledge with other villagers. Hopefully, this practice will help reduce fertilizer costs, improve soil fertility, and keep the village environment clean,” added Surya Adetya.

This program aligns with the commitment to achieving several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 2: Zero Hunger, SDG 4: Quality Education, SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, SDG 15: Life on Land, and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.

Author: Surya Adetya, Agrit Kirana Bunda

Editor: Desi Utami

Photo: Melukis Pakis Team

Dani Abyan Adam, a student of Agricultural Extension and Communication at the Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Gadjah Mada (Faperta UGM), embarked on his Kuliah Kerja Nyata Pembelajaran Pemberdayaan Masyarakat (KKN-PPM) as a tangible form of active engagement with the community. His passion for education and empowerment became a strong foundation for his role as an agent of change within society.

During this KKN period, Adam joined Citta Bulukumba, a multidisciplinary team integrating various clusters of expertise with a collaborative spirit to address local issues through cross-sector approaches, under the guidance of Dr. Dwi Ertiningsih, S.Si., M.Si as the Field Supervisor (DPL).

The name “Citta Bulukumba” carries a deep meaning. In the local Bulukumba language, citta means “story” and “love.” It reflects the team’s mission to write stories of kindness and love through meaningful interactions, contributions, and sustainable programs in panrita lopi land, Bulukumba.

Adam’s KKN location was centered in Tanah Jaya Village, Kajang Subdistrict, Bulukumba Regency, an area consisting of five neighborhoods. This agro-maritime region holds immense potential, with its coastal resources, agricultural land, and strong local traditions making it a strategic site for community empowerment programs.

The local economy is primarily driven by fisheries, cocoa, and rice farming. However, challenges remain particularly in household waste management and underutilized home gardens. These issues formed the basis for Citta Bulukumba’s solution-driven and participatory work programs, focusing on three main areas: Food Security Strengthening, Tourism Development, and Circular Economy Implementation.

Within these priorities, Adam implemented five key programs through participatory approaches, involving community extension, demonstrations, and basic education. Coconut Husk Waste Utilization for Kokedama engaging youth and educating junior high school students to turn coconut waste into decorative kokedama, which has potential as a local tourism souvenir. Household Waste Management with Stacked Buckets as part of the interdisciplinary BERSERI program, introducing a simple composting system producing liquid fertilizer and compost, strengthening household-level circular economy practices. Brazilian Spinach (Bayam Brazil) Home Gardening as part of the SEHATI program for stunting prevention, in collaboration with the medical cluster’s health outreach. Brazilian spinach was chosen for its high nutritional value and ease of cultivation.

Beyond these core programs, Adam actively participated in the Kajang Grand Festival (Festival Raya Kajang), a collaborative event themed “Gelora Pangan Kajang” (Kajang’s Food Spirit), showcasing local products, KKN program outputs, free health check-ups, and community sports. The festival served as a rallying point for strengthening community synergy in building food independence.

KKN in Tanah Jaya was not merely a transfer of knowledge from students to the community it became a two-way learning process. The enthusiasm of Tanah Jaya residents in adopting new technologies and practices brought positive energy to the entire team. The warmth, cooperation, and openness of the community were key to the success of Citta Bulukumba’s programs.

Adam’s initiatives aligned with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): SDG 1: No Poverty, SDG 2: Zero Hunger, SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, and SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.

In closing, Adam reflects that KKN is not just an academic program, but a transformative journey where knowledge meets humanity, and love for a place grows through interaction, service, and shared stories. Citta Bulukumba is more than just a team name it is a memory of love and stories rooted in the land of Bulukumba.

Authors: Dani Abyan Adam, Ghorizatu Shofra
Editor: Desi Utami
Photo: KKN-PPM UGM Citta Bulukumba 2025