Soy-based foods, such as tempeh, tofu, and oncom, are among the most-consumed and staples in Indonesia. The tofu and tempeh industry, which belongs to the small or home industry, alone has a production value of IDR 92.3 trillion and an added value of IDR 37.3 trillion. Ironically, Indonesia’s domestic soybean production can only fulfill 10% of the country’s annual needs, compelling the government to meet the remaining 90% through imports. Of the 3.6 million ton demand for soybeans, local producers managed to yield 340,000 tons only.

According to Atris Suyantohadi, local soybean production continues to decline due to low market prices, which are below the production cost, lack of soybean price guarantees, which triggers farmers’ reluctance to cultivate soybeans, and a decrease in soybean land, from 1.3 million hectares in 1990 to 621,000 hectares in 2005.

“The lack of domestic soybean availability provides opportunities for foreign countries to export soybeans to Indonesia,” said the agroindustrial technology expert on Thursday (5/8).

Atris continued, lack of technology advances and the absence of a proper post-harvest management system, from post-harvest handling technology, storage procedures in warehouses, soybean processing to marketing to consumers and industry players, contributed to low soybean productivity in Indonesia.

“This drawback has an impact on the quality of soybeans produced (below standard),” he said.

Attempting to fix the situation, Atris initiated the adoption of smart enterprise practices in soybean production called Smart Soybean Enterprise. It is an information technology-based soybean agribusiness and agroindustry system to help optimize productivity. The system manages cultivation, the number of seeds, contract farming, cultivation SOPs, pest management, post-harvest handling, and soybean yields that meet the standard of industrial raw materials and are qualified for food product processing. He added this development model could protect prices, schedule and manage delivery to consumers and industry players, and process soybeans into food products.

“This system can connect players in the soybean trading system and help and maintain product continuity throughout the year,” he said.

Currently, the Smart Soybean Enterprise is adopted at the Warehouse Receipt System Office of Bantul Regency. The program involves a Penta-helix collaboration between the government, relevant industries, farmer groups, academics, and media. In 2020, within a year of operating, it has partnered with 2,200 farmers, utilized 294 hectares of land, absorbed 8,820 workers, and supported the rural economy.

Source: https://www.ugm.ac.id/id/berita/21481-peneliti-ugm-kembangkan-smart-enterprise-kedelai-untuk-tingkatkan-produksi-kedelai-lokal

Four UGM students discovered the potential of seaweed-based bioplastics to answer the ‘styrofoam’ problem in Indonesia. Research by the Indonesian Institute of Sciences revealed styrofoam dominated 59% of plastic waste entering Jakarta Bay in 2015-2016. Styrofoam is a generic term to refer to a foam takeout container popularly used in Indonesia due to its cost-effectiveness and lightweight feature. Despite the advantages, the foam container sadly threatens the environment and our health. Benzene and styrene from polystyrene foam are toxic, carcinogenic, and can cause various diseases such as headaches, nervous disorders, leukemia, etc.

“Seaweed in Indonesia is quite abundant and has the potential to be manufactured as a safe and environmentally friendly packaging material in the future,” said Ilham Firdausi, head of the research team, on Tuesday (5/8).

Ilham and his three colleagues, I Nyoman Anggie Pratishta, Arif Ramadhan, and Dimas Wahyu Prasetyo, seek to substitute the toxic packaging form with an eco-friendly alternative made from seaweed. According to Ilham, carrageenans of seaweed are the key ingredient in the manufacturing of seaweed packaging, along with glycerol, water, and beeswax. Carrageenan is one of the phycocolloids that has an excellent film-forming ability. This promising innovation received funding from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology at the 2021 Student Creativity Program.

“Styrofoam waste has no economic value. It just pollutes the environment as it requires ages to decompose,” said Arif, another member of the team.

Arif hopes this idea can help overcome plastic waste, foam food containers, and marine pollution in Indonesia. Seaweed-based packaging is biodegradable, safe, and an organic fertilizer alternative for plants. Currently, the team is set to continue their research to determine the best formula for more convenient packaging.

Source: https://www.ugm.ac.id/id/berita/21477-mahasiswa-ugm-gagas-pengembangan-kemasan-makanan-dari-rumput-laut

UGM received four ventilators and two humidifier units from Artha Graha Foundation on Thursday (5/8) to support medical services at the UGM Academic Hospital (RSA).

“In order to improve services to the community, especially in treating Covid-19 patients, UGM RSA will open one more ICU unit. For this purpose, UGM RSA received ventilator assistance from Artha Graha,” explained UGM Deputy Chancellor for Cooperation and Alumni Affairs, Prof. Paripurna.

He added that during the pandemic, this foundation had many contributions to efforts in dealing with Covid-19 for RSA UGM, including the Tzu Chi Foundation donating 103 hospital beds and four surgery beds.

The Artha Graha Foundation also provided furniture and other equipment to fill 137 rooms at Wisma Mardliyyah Islamic Center to be used as an Emergency Hospital managed by RSUP Dr. Sardjito.

“UGM really appreciates the great empathy from the Artha Graha Foundation and the Tzu Chi Foundation as they are very responsive and quick to help RSA and Sardjito Emergency Hospital. Now, both hospitals can contribute more in handling Covid-19 patients,” he said.

Director of Medical and Nursing Services at UGM RSA, Ade Febrina, explained that the RSA board of directors has received this assistance.

She revealed that the high need for ventilators in hospitals, especially in an effort to treat Covid-19 patients, has prompted the Artha Graha Peduli Foundation to participate in overcoming this crisis.

“As we may know, the rising number of COVID-19 cases, especially patients with severe symptoms, inevitably increases the need for oxygen drastically, which is definitely accompanied by the increasing need for ventilators,” said Ade.

Artha Graha Foundation is an organization founded by Artha Graha Network, engaging in social activities, humanitarian actions, and the environment. The addition of ventilators should improve service and treatment at the UGM RSA.

Source: https://www.ugm.ac.id/id/berita/21478-rsa-ugm-terima-bantuan-ventilator-dan-humidifier