Faculty of Geography UGM in cooperation with the Local Government of Klaten Regency and Students of Community Empowerment Field Practice inaugurated the founding of the Indonesia’s Agricultural Museum and Tourism Village in Selorejo hamlet, Krakitan, Bayat, Klaten, on Thursday (16/9). The inauguration was marked by Gong beating and inscription signing by the Regent, Sunarno, SE, accompanied by the Chairman of the Museum, Prof. Dr. Suratman, M.Sc.
According to Suratman, the idea for the Farm Museum emerged in year 2000. At that time, his parents had the idea of the need to preserve various activities related to the agricultural sector.
Therefore, it is not surprising that the museum occupies the residence of Suratman’s parents. Besides various collections of agricultural objects from various regions in Indonesia, in this museum visitors can see various types of lands, agricultural tradition, food, animals and illustrated description of how people do farming in various regions in Indonesia.
Meanwhile, Suratman said that the Agricultural Tourism Village is to complement the presence of Agricultural Museum. In this village, visitors can stay in people’s houses. They can practice farming, do outbound in rural nature, fishing, photo action, farm festival and see the traditional agricultural ceremony. Besides, tourists can participate in various traditional games, dances, reading in the farming library and picking fruit directly from the tree. "There are twenty-five activities that can be selected for those who visit the Agricultural Tourism Village," he added.
As an advisor in the tourism village, Suratman explained that the geographical position of the hamlet is very strategic. The location is flanked by two tourist destinations that have been established previously (Jimbung and Rawa Jombor). Two major tourist sites are familiar to the people of Solo, Klaten and Yogyakarta. "The expectation is that the museum will also be of international standard. Therefore, I ask the Students Family of Faculty of Geography to make proposal for tourism in this region," he explained.
In Selorejo tourism village, the tourists can learn how to plow and harrow rice by cow. Plowing and harrowing rice fields would be an interesting attraction for visitors who come from big cities. Tourists are also offered to enjoy the rural atmosphere by riding a horsecart. "We can also see people raising Manila ducks, goats, cows, quails. The tourists can learn the ways of raising rare birds such as Uren Starling or Bali Starling," he said.
Similar opinion was also delivered by the Regent in his opening speech. He said that the potential of the surrounding areas is very supportive to the development of the Indonesian Agricultural Museum and Tourism Village. His expectation is that the development of these two activities in Selorejo hamlet will add treasure for local communities and, generally, in the field of agriculture, because various types of agricultural activities can be developed in this area. "Therefore we are profoundly grateful to Prof. Suratman’s family who had initiated the founding of the Agricultural Museum and Tourism Village," the Regent said.