KKN PPM UGM students carried out various programs in their field service activities, including empowering farmers by introducing the DesaApps or Digital Extension Society for Agriculture application.
This app allows farmers to access information and education related to agriculture, livestock, and fisheries. The community service activities conducted by the KKN PPM UGM student team in Cingambul District, Majalengka Regency, West Java Province, from July to August in Ciranjeng Village, received recognition at the Majalengka Innovation Award held on Nov. 29.
The UGM Cingambul Ngarumpul student team was awarded 1st place in the General Category.
Ariadna Kesuma Az-Zahra, or Rara as she is commonly known, is a member of the Cingambul Ngarumpul team. She expressed her gratitude that the local government appreciated the KKN activities conducted with her team in mid-2024.
“We are very grateful. During our KKN activities, we introduced the use of DesaApps as one of our work programs,” Rara said in a statement to reporters on Thursday (Dec. 5).
The UGM Faculty of Agriculture student explained that in promoting this application, they collaborated with local extension officers or related agencies, who could become permanent companions for the farmers. Village officials conducted regular evaluations to assess the extent to which the application was being used and the benefits felt.
This ensures that DesaApps can truly become an effective tool for the community.
“We hope that DesaApps can continue to be optimally used by the community to increase productivity and the quality of agricultural products while also encouraging village independence through technological innovation. Lastly, we hope this program marks the beginning of agribusiness advancements in Ciranjeng Village,” said Rara.
During the activity, the KKN-PPM team explained the features of DesaApps to village officials and local farmers.
Rara added that participants were also trained to use DesaApps, enabling them to utilize technology to enhance productivity and farming efficiency. The local government positively received this program.
Dr. Sudrajat, the team field supervisor, mentioned that farmers could use this application to exchange information about agriculture, such as the fertilizers used, weather conditions, and more. In addition, the app connects farmers with extension officers, allowing them to consult on agricultural matters.
He explained that DesaApps was developed by UGM’s Faculty of Agriculture. The UGM Rector officially launched the app on Dec. 19, 2016, and can be downloaded through the Google Play Store.
During the KKN-PPM Period 2 of 2024, the Cingambul Ngarumpul team, based in Cingambul District, introduced this digital app as a platform for communication, discussion, and education for farmers, extension officers, and experts in the agro-complex field.
According to Dr. Sudrajat, after UGM KKN PPM activities, the development and continuation of the DesaApps program are directed toward the independent use of the app by the village community and relevant agencies.
“In the future, farmer groups and village officials are expected to actively utilize the app’s features to record farming activities, engage in discussions with extension officers, and obtain information and education related to agriculture, livestock, and fisheries,” he concluded.
Author: Lazuardi
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya