Faculty of Agricultural Technology (FTP) UGM held an activity named “Planting Fruit Seeds” on Monday (2/3) afternoon at the Nawungan Fruit Plantation, Selopamioro, Imogiri, Bantul. This activity is part of the Model Development of Sustainable Agri-Environmental System for Accelerating Community in Selopamioro Village and Sriharjo Village which was initiated in 2018 by FTP UGM and Yanmar Environmental Sustainability Support Association (YESSA).

This event began with the symbolic planting of durian seedlings by the Head of Selopamioro Urban Village, Himawan Sadjati, Vice Dean for Research, Cooperation, and Community Service of FTP UGM, Dr. Sri Rahayoe, S.T.P., M.P., Head of Activities, Prof. Dr. Lilik Sutiarso, as well as the SUIJI Service Learning Program Field Supervisor, Prof. Matsuda Katsuya. Apart from them, the planting was also carried out by representatives from the Selopamioro fruit farmer group, Tugimin, as well as two students participating in the SUIJI Service Learning Program, one from Indonesia and one from Japan.

Lilik explained that this activity marked the start of the program for this year. He explained that this time, the program aims to develop agroforestry. This development is supported by the procurement of the Agro-Edu Techno Park.

“The concept is that we will bring the technologies from our research on campus here. Later, this technology will be used by the community to build their welfare. For this program, we will also cooperate with several faculties from other agro clusters at UGM, such as the Faculty of Animal Husbandry and the Faculty of Agriculture, “he explained.

Lilik then explained that this program would be carried out in several stages. One of these stages will later be implemented during the year. “We design this program for the next 3 years. In the first year, our focus will be on the institutional system, management, and human resource development of the two villages. In the second year, we will begin to solidify the infrastructure, which means that a large-scale downstream of technology will begin here. In the third year, we focus on marketing and networking so that the resulting products can benefit the community, “he explained.

After three years running, Lilik said that later there will be an evaluation of whether the community is truly independent in utilizing technology and running the entire program. “If it is assessed that it has been obtained, later intervention from the campus will be reduced. However, it does not mean that we will completely let go, but there will still be assistance, “he said.

Finally, Lilik stated that in addition to realizing the tridarma of community service, this program also aims to realize one of UGM’s missions, namely the downstreaming of technological products. “Product downstreaming is not only directed at the industry. However, with our technology being able to benefit society, the mission has been successful. We hope this program can really improve the welfare of the people here, “he concluded.

Source: https://ugm.ac.id/id/berita/19090-ftp-ugm-tanam-bibit-buah-di-selopamioro

UGM has built a Bamboo Forest for the Nature Conservation Program in the Wanagama Special Purpose Forest Area (KHDTK), Gunungkidul Regency. This development is carried out in collaboration between UGM and PT Taspen (Persero) through the Taspen Partnership and Community Development Program (PKBL) in order to create sustainable natural conservation. On that occasion, PT Taspen (Persero,) represented by the Head of PT Taspen Yogyakarta Branch, Iwan Junaidi, symbolically handed over an aid worth Rp290,500,000 to the UGM Rector.

“One of the efforts to preserve nature is by planting bamboo. Ecologically, this plant can store water and fertilize the many microorganisms that grow under it,” said Director of Wanagama, Dwiko Budi Permadi, Ph.D, at the Bamboo Forest Development Ceremony, Wednesday (4/3).

Apart from being able to store large amounts of water, bamboos also store carbon stocks which are good for mitigating climate change. Besides that, bamboo has economic benefits because the stems can be a tough building material and the bamboo shoots can be a source of food for the community.

The Wanagama Bamboo Forest Conservation Activity was originally initiated by the Faculty of Forestry UGM as part of the 1,000 bamboo village movement which became the strategic plan of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry and the Bamboo Lestari Foundation, especially the Yogyakarta cluster.

To support the Wanagama Bamboo Forest Conservation activities, which are located in plots 7, 13 and 16, Taspen provided assistance in the form of planting 2,300 giant bamboo seedlings that have been planted in stages. In December 2019, stage 1 planting was carried out with a target of 1,100 seedlings on 1 hectare of land, where the planting location is not far from the river so that it is hoped that the chances of the bamboo plants living will be higher.

The planting of the next stage of 1,100 seeds has been completed and the remaining 100 seeds are used for stitching. In addition, bamboo infusion technology is also applied to anticipate water shortages in the dry season.

“The Wanagama bamboo forest demonstration plot, which has a total area of 2 ha, is planned to be developed into 10 ha and managed intensively into a bamboo ecosystem that has many benefits,” he explained.

He hopes that in the next 5 – 10 years, the bamboo processing industry in rural areas will grow and village institutions and local governments can contribute to the expansion of bamboo forests in Yogyakarta. In line with that, UGM will also strive to continue developing technology that can increase the economic value of bamboo.

UGM Rector, Prof. Ir. Panut Mulyono, M.Eng, D.Eng, IPU., ASEAN Eng., Gave his appreciation to all parties who support the bamboo forest development program. According to him, the selection of bamboo as a plant that is preserved and developed, especially in the Wanagama area, is very appropriate because it will have a good impact on the natural environment and the people who live in it.

“We have to take care of it as well as possible, so that we can protect the preservation of forests which can support human life,” said the Rector.

The Wanagama Bamboo Forest Conservation Program according to its road map will be carried out for 10 years with four phases, namely the initiation of a demonstration unit (demonstration plot) for bamboo plantations (production and conservation), expansion of the Yogyakarta Bamboo forest cluster, development of the bamboo processing industry, and finally, monitoring bamboo governance and its integration with industries.

“Hopefully this bamboo development in Wanagama will be replicated in the community. Apart from being sustainable, bamboo will also benefit MSMEs with bamboo-based products, “said Deputy Regent of Gunungkidul, Immawan Wahyudi.

Source: https://ugm.ac.id/id/berita/19091-ugm-taspen-tanam-ribuan-bambu-di-wanagama-untuk-pelestarian-alam