Enggano Island, located southwest of Bengkulu, may seem remote and isolated, but for Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) students participating in the Community Service Program (KKN), it is a fertile ground for service and learning.
Since 2023, the UGM team has been present on the island, carrying the theme “Development of Post-Harvest Products, Local Arts and Culture, Ecotourism Potential, and Biodiversity Conservation to Support the Self-Reliance of Enggano Island Communities.”
Recognizing the island’s agricultural potential, the team introduced the cultivation of Gamagora, a superior rice variety developed by UGM, as one of its main programs. This rice variety can thrive in both irrigated and rainfed paddy fields with limited water availability. Now, the Gamagora rice is flourishing and expected to be ready for harvest in mid-June.
“We want UGM students to make a direct impact on the community, especially in strengthening local food sovereignty,” said Dr. Hatma Suryatmojo, the field supervisor, on Thursday (Jun. 5).
Dr. Suryatmojo, affectionately known as Mayong, emphasized that the choice of Gamagora was a deliberate one. The rice variety has proven resilient to environmental stress and climate change while offering high yield potential, critical traits for remote and small island regions like Enggano.
Its adaptability to local soil and weather conditions, coupled with a relatively short growing period, makes it well-suited for local farming cycles. This innovation is the result of UGM’s extensive agricultural research, now being applied directly in the field.
“This is an example of campus-driven innovation being directly applied to support food security in remote communities,” Mayong explained.
But the program goes beyond planting and harvesting. Mayong noted that the KKN initiative also serves as a bridge between academic knowledge and local wisdom. Students not only share agricultural knowledge but also learn from the customs and practices of the local community.
They conduct training sessions, engage in discussions on post-harvest management, introduce appropriate technologies, and build trust and collaboration with local farmers.
“People-centered development is not just a slogan; it’s realized through equal collaboration between students and residents,” he said.
Mayong also highlighted the crucial role that infrastructure development on Enggano Island plays in achieving food self-sufficiency. Improved roads, an active port, and stable communication networks provide a strong foundation for increased agricultural productivity and efficient distribution.
However, challenges remain, including the need for improved inter-island transportation to enhance regional connectivity.
“Overall, I see that the local government has shown a strong commitment through the development of roads, ports, airports, and communication networks,” he added.
This year, the KKN team has returned to ensure that the Gamagora rice harvest benefits the local community to its fullest. Community support has been strong throughout the program’s implementation.
The Head of Banjarsari Village, Winarto Rudi Setiawan, has overseen the planting process closely with full support from local farmers. Together with village officials and residents, the students are working to improve post-harvest processes, strengthen farmer group organizations, and connect the community with potential market access partners.
Sustainability is measured not only by the next harvest but also by the continued transmission of knowledge, motivation, and networks established through the program.
“We want the results to go beyond a single planting season and grow into a long-term local movement,” Mayong added.
Through this KKN initiative in Enggano, UGM demonstrates how the university’s three core pillars, education, research, and community service, can be implemented in a tangible and impactful way.
The story of Gamagora is not only about agriculture, but also about a spirit of collaborative development from the ground up.
“This KKN activity proves that community-based approaches can bring about long-term, sustainable change. As long as UGM remains rooted in these values, its service will always find a way,” Mayong concluded.
Author: Triya Andriyani
Photographs: Village of Banjarsari and Engganoisland.com