Faculty of Agricultural Technology,alumni of Faculty of Agricultural Technology, alumni of Faculty of Medicine, as well as the Clean Irrigation Merti Tirta Amartani group in Bantul regency conducted tree planting event titled ‘Charity Trees for Earth Sustainability’. Activities that took place on Friday (18/12) in Sriharjo, Imogiri, Bantul, is a continuation of the program of Clean Irrigation started by alumni since 2013 that aims to develop the environment, conservation of land and water resources, and increase the incomes of local people. This activity was supported by the local Government of Bantul, Sleman local Government, Gitapala, and followed by the farmers who are members of water user associations (P3A) of Bantul.
“We as the alumni wanted to create activities that benefit the community, not just a get-together activities only. Through these activities we are trying to be a liaison between the university, society, and the government,” said the lecturer of Faculty of Agricultural Technology ,Prof. Dr. Ir. Sigit Supadmo Arif, M. Eng., also coordinator the event.
As part of these activities, some 5,750 seeds were planted, consisted of sengon Wamena plants and red jabon, as well as yam. These were distributed to groups of P3A in 6 villages in Bantul and 1 village in Sleman. In addition, the alumni gave an aid in the form of 6 tons of organic fertilizers.To plant these seeds, it was not just about environmental sustainability but also the potential for the utilization of agro-industries. Yam crops are high valued and a great potential to be processed into food products.
There will also be mentoring on plant maintenance and supervision of plant development for 6 months by students of Faculty of Agricultural Technology. Through these activities, according to Sigit, the alumni want to provide a place and time to share knowledge and experience to the residents, especially farmers. “We hope that through this mentoring, slowly but surely, groups of farmers can be self-sufficient,” he added.