The Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Gadjah Mada (Faperta UGM) has launched a community service program titled “Optimizing Backyard Land for Enhancing Sub-Urban Household Food Security in Sukoharjo Regency.” This program involved a team consisting of lecturers and students from the Faculty of Agriculture UGM, including Hariyani Dwi Anjani, S.P., M.Sc., Asih Kusumaningsih, S.P., M.Sc., Dr. Ega Adhi Wicaksono, S.Pi., and 5 undergraduate students from the Faculty of Agriculture UGM.

The program, which run for 10 months from February to December 2024, targeted the Dawis Dahlia PKK group in the Ngariboyo, Kepuh, Nguter, Sukoharjo, Central Java. The program aimed to educate and assist the sub-urban community in utilizing their backyard land optimally to support family food security.

Sukoharjo was selected due to its potential as a sub-urban area with plenty of available land, yet much of it remains underutilized. The team leader, Hariyani Dwi Anjani, S.P., M.Sc., explained that many backyard lands in Sukoharjo are not well-managed.

“This activity was designed to address the challenge of managing land to be more productive and sustainable. We hope this program can raise awareness and improve the skills of the community to utilize their land productively,” she said.

The program was expected to enhance family food security and serve as a model for community empowerment based on backyard land utilization. The Faculty of Agriculture UGM continues its commitment to contributing to sustainable agricultural development in Indonesia. This initiative is also a clear demonstration of the Faculty’s efforts to achieve the SDGs, including SDG 1: No Poverty, SDG 2: Zero Hunger, SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, 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: Agrit Kirana Bunda
Editor: Desi Utami

On Thursday, 12 December 2024, the Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Gadjah Mada  (Faperta UGM) continued discussions on academic cooperation with Yamagata University, Japan, regarding a double degree program for the master’s degree. This meeting is a follow-up to the previous discussions held on 30 March 2024 and marks an important step in strengthening the collaboration between the two institutions.

The meeting was attended by the Dean, Vice Deans, Heads of Departments, and Heads of Master’s Programs in Agriculture from the Faculty of Agriculture UGM, as well as Prof. Keitaro Tawaraya, the Academic Exchange Coordinator from Yamagata University.

This meeting focused on finalizing the cooperation agreement and discussing the ideal double degree program structure. Through this program, master’s students will have the opportunity to earn two master’s degrees in two years, spending one year at their home university and one year at the partner university.

The meeting was productive, resulting in constructive discussions and positive responses from both parties. This step not only strengthens the bilateral relationship between the Faculty of Agriculture UGM and Yamagata University but also becomes part of the Faculty of Agriculture UGM’s efforts to produce excellent and high-quality human resources, aligned with its vision and mission.

This collaboration also reflects the Faculty of Agriculture UGM’s commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 1: No Poverty, SDG 2: Zero Hunger, SDG 4: Quality Education, SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities, SDG 15: Life on Land, and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.

Author: Agrit Kirana Bunda
Editor: Desi Utami

A team of academics and researchers led by Nur Ainun H.J. Pulungan, S.Si., M.Sc., Ph.D., together with other expert lecturers and students from Faculty of Agriculture Universitas Gadjah Mada (Faperta UGM), conducted a training program titled “Rapid Assessment of Dryland Soil Fertility Using the Dryland Soil Testing Kit (PUTK)” in Loano, Purworejo. The training program spans eight months, from 29 February to 9 December 2024, and aims to enhance farmers’ capacity to assess soil fertility quickly and efficiently.

“Through this training, we aim to help farmers understand how to determine the appropriate types and dosages of fertilizers based on the specific needs of their land, thereby reducing production costs while preventing environmental degradation caused by excessive fertilization,” explained Nur Ainun. The use of PUTK as a practical tool to assess nutrient content allows farmers to conduct on-site soil testing without relying on laboratory facilities.

Throughout the training, farmers were taught not only how to operate the PUTK but also how to interpret the test results, enabling them to make informed and sustainable fertilization decisions. This program involved a number of experts, including Prof. Benito Heru Purwanto, M.P., M.Agr.Sc., Dr. Najmu Tsaqib Akhda, S.P., M.A., Dr. Firdausi Nur Azizah, S.P., M.P., Dr. Cahyo Wulandari, S.P., M.P., Andi Syahid Muttaqin, S.Si., M.Si., Ph.D., Angga Prasetya, S.P., M.Sc., and Fathi Alfinur Rizqi, S.T.P., M.Sc. Undergraduate and graduate students from Faperta UGM also contributed to this community service program, including Dema Azmir Hatta, Umi Mar’atus Sholihah, Gilang Rizky, Adi Try Laksono, S.P., and Arizona, S.P.

Through strong collaboration and a data-driven approach, this training is expected to improve land productivity in an efficient and sustainable manner, while also supporting environmental conservation efforts. At the same time, it represents Faperta UGM’s contribution to the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 1: No Poverty, SDG 2: Zero Hunger, SDG 4: Quality Education, SDG 15: Life on Land, and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.

Authors: Agrit Kirana Bunda, Naomi Cahaya Dewi

Editor: Desi Utami