The KKN-PPM UGM Citta Bulukumba team held the Festival Raya Kajang, a lively event that attracted significant public attention, at the Kajang District Office grounds, Bulukumba Regency, South Sulawesi Province, on Saturday (Jul. 27).
With the tagline “Kajang Synergizes for Food Independence,” the festival marked the culmination of the community service activities carried out by the UGM students in Tanah Jaya Subdistrict and Pantama Village, Kajang District, Bulukumba Regency.
Fauziah Salsabila, representing the 2025 KKN-PPM UGM Citta Bulukumba team, said the festival was not merely a celebration, but a tangible campaign to highlight the importance of local food resilience, particularly in agriculture and fisheries, which are the primary potentials of Kajang District.
By involving various community groups and collaborating with PT Mitra Kreasidharma as the main sponsor, the festival successfully fostered a sense of mutual cooperation, education, entertainment, and promotion of local MSMEs in a single festive moment.
“The event was officially opened by representatives from the Kajang District Office and the Bulukumba Regency Agriculture Office, and was attended by over 600 participants from diverse backgrounds,” Salsabila said at UGM campus on Friday (Aug. 15).
During the festival, Salsabila explained that visitors were welcomed with a variety of engaging activities, including a healthy walk, free medical check-ups, and a local MSME exhibition showcasing the community’s flagship products.
Visitors could also visit the agriculture clinic organized by experts from PT Mitra Kreasidharma. This booth proved particularly attractive for local farmers and agribusiness practitioners.
“At the clinic, participants could consult directly on cultivation techniques, fertilizer management, pest and disease control, and strategies to enhance land productivity,” she said.
Salsabila added that the festive atmosphere was heightened by various competitions, including a coin-catching game for children, a ball game for men with eggplants tied to their waists, and a washing relay for women.
“These competitions brought laughter to the participants, and as a form of appreciation, door prizes were distributed in the closing moments, featuring attractive gifts provided by the committee and sponsors,” she explained.
She emphasized that Festival Raya Kajang represented the climax of the 50-day community service journey of the KKN-PPM UGM Citta Bulukumba team. During this program, the UGM students focused on community empowerment through innovations in agriculture and fisheries based on the circular economy.
“We hope that Festival Raya Kajang will serve as a turning point in fostering collaborative spirit between the community and the government in realizing a more independent and food-sovereign Kajang,” she concluded.
Author: Agung Nugroho
Illustration: Pinterest