As a university that champions community empowerment, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) continues to support efforts to improve the rural economy. One such attempt takes place in Sambak Village, located in Magelang, Central Java.
This village is widely recognized for its potential as a major tofu production center. However, the waste generated from tofu production has posed significant environmental challenges.
In response, the Faculty of Agricultural Technology (FTP UGM), in collaboration with Japan’s Yanmar Environmental Sustainability Support Association (YESSA), successfully converted tofu waste into usable biogas.
This biogas is now utilized by local residents as a clean and sustainable fuel source. Additionally, the team also helped establish a community fruit orchard in the area.
Professor Eni Harmayani, Dean of FTP UGM, expressed pride in witnessing and contributing to the positive transformation taking place in Sambak Village. She emphasized how this collaboration, particularly the tofu waste-to-biogas project and the orchard, serves as tangible proof of the university’s role in society.
Looking ahead, FTP UGM plans to join forces with other UGM faculties, including the Faculty of Animal Science, the Faculty of Engineering, and the Vocational College, to further develop Sambak Village.
“This is evidence that knowledge must be translated into real action for the benefit of communities, and it offers a valuable lesson for rural development efforts elsewhere,” she said in a statement on Monday (Jul. 28).
During a ceremony titled “From Zero to Hero: The Collaboration Journey of FTP UGM-YESSA” held on Thursday (Jul. 24) in Sambak Village, YESSA representative Dr. Morio Tsukada shared that the four-year partnership between Yanmar and FTP UGM has been significant.
The project has contributed significantly to Sambak’s development as a climate-smart agrotourism village, one that harnesses its natural potential while addressing the urgent issue of climate change.
The Regent of Magelang, Grengseng Pamuji, also offered his appreciation for the knowledge-based rural development in Sambak. He acknowledged that development must be rooted in strong theoretical foundations, a principle not yet universally accepted.
“Sambak Village serves as a model for how other villages in Magelang can thrive,” he stated.
Professor Lilik Sutiarso, Head of the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering at FTP UGM, elaborated on Sambak’s journey. The key issue, he explained, was how to manage the village’s existing potential and shape it into a unique agrotourism model.
Sambak was therefore selected to become a climate-smart agrotourism village, one that incorporates both ecological awareness and digital technology.
Gradually, Sambak has made significant progress, including the implementation of steam boilers for tofu producers to replace outdated methods. The current vision is to elevate Sambak to an international tourism destination. One strategy involves positioning the village as an educational agrotourism site.
Professor Sutiarso noted that students from universities in Malaysia and Belgium have already visited Sambak to learn about nature-based and sustainable practices. The village is also being developed as a cultural, educational, and recreational site. The new fruit orchard already features avocado, longan, and durian trees.
“Visitors will soon be able to enjoy the experience of picking and consuming fresh fruits on-site. The orchard will also include an irrigation system and be integrated with local livestock farming,” he explained.
Dahlan, the head of Sambak Village, shared his leadership journey and the impact of the collaboration. He highlighted how the partnership with FTP UGM and YESSA introduced steam boilers to tofu producers, offering a more efficient, eco-friendly option.
“We are truly grateful to UGM and YESSA and hope this assistance can continue,” he concluded.
Author: Lazuardi
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Kezia Dwina Nathania