A celebration unfolded in Ngawi, East Java, as Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) marked the inaugural harvest of Gamagora (Gadjah Mada Gogo Rancah) 7 rice.
The fertile harvest, cultivated on a 1.5-hectare expanse owned by residents in Guyung Village, Ngawi Regency, yielded an impressive 9.6 tons of dry rice per hectare.
Gamagora 7, a mutation stemming from radiation on Rajalele Klaten rice within the Indica group, boasts stellar characteristics conducive to climate adaptability. This innovative strain can be successfully cultivated both in the dry season and rain-fed regions.
Moreover, it showcases resilience against brown planthoppers, bacterial leaf blight pathotype III, and blast diseases featuring races 033, 073, and 133. With these advantages, Gamagora 7 emerges as a stalwart supporter of achieving food sovereignty in the nation.
This groundbreaking variety represents the fruition of the Innovation Grant from the PrimeStep Program, steered by the UGM Directorate of Business Development.
Developed by adept researchers at the Agrotechnology Innovation Center (PIAT) of UGM, Gamagora 7 is the third variety officially released by UGM. The Ministry of Agriculture granted release permits for this innovative strain in March 2023.
It underwent rigorous testing in rice fields spanning various locales in Central Java and East Java. Ngawi became a testament to this collaborative cultivation, made possible through a partnership involving UGM, Agrisparta, WIM, Ngawi Regency Government, and the Bina Sparta farmer group.
Professor Mirwan Ushada, the UGM Director of Research, underscored that Gamagora 7 by UGM researchers is a testament to the university’s commitment to bolstering national food sovereignty. However, he emphasized that pursuing such lofty goals necessitates collaborative endeavors.
“Food sovereignty is a concern for UGM, but this cannot be done alone, so the key is collaboration involving many parties,” Professor Ushada affirmed during the festive harvest gathering in Ngawi on Thursday (Dec. 21).
In this spirit of collaboration, UGM invites various stakeholders to join forces in the ongoing development and cultivation of Gamagora 7. This outreach aims to usher in a future where UGM’s research products deliver tangible benefits to communities far and wide.
Professor Taryono, the researcher behind Gamagora 7, expressed optimism about the potential societal impact of this rice variety. Beyond fortifying UGM’s mission of championing national food sovereignty, he envisioned that Gamagora 7 could empower the communities that cultivate it.
“The hope is that Gamagora 7 rice will not only support UGM’s mission in supporting national food sovereignty but can also empower the communities who cultivate it,” he stated.
Eka Srirahayu, the Head of the Ngawi Regency Food Security and Agriculture Office, extended heartfelt gratitude for the collaborative venture in cultivating Gamagora rice in Ngawi. She harbored hopes that UGM’s research could elevate the welfare of the Ngawi populace.
“We highly appreciate the development and cultivation of Gamagora 7 in Ngawi. With this new variety with high economic value, it is hoped that it can attract more farmers to cultivate it and improve their welfare,” she conveyed.
In Ngawi, most farmers currently cultivate the Inpari 3 rice variety. However, with the arrival of Gamagora 7, it emerges as a compelling alternative for the residents of Ngawi.
“Gamagora 7 has been successfully cultivated in the dry season. The challenge in the future is to test it here during the wet season,” shared Srirahayu.
Agri Sparta, a strategic collaborator with UGM, attested to the resilience of Gamagora 7 against varying weather conditions. Yaser Hadi Putra, the Agri Sparta CTO, expressed optimism about the potential impact of this rice variety, especially its remarkable resistance to diverse weather conditions.
Cultivated during the dry season, it yielded 9.6 tons of dry rice per hectare. This collaborative cultivation, supported by the Bina Sparta farmer group in Ngawi, leveraged agricultural mechanization and technology.
“This Gamagora 7 rice is very promising, especially in its resistance to weather conditions. Hopefully, this variety can broadly impact the community,” Yaser Hadi Putra said.
Sumino, the Head of Guyung Village, shared the cultivation landscape in Ngawi, where six varieties adorn seven hectares of residents’ land. Gamagora 7 debuted in the region in September 2023 on a 1.5-hectare expanse.
From the outset, there were high expectations that this variety could deliver optimal results and usher in direct benefits for the residents. The harvest results not only met but exceeded these expectations.
“The harvest results are good. Hopefully, it can continue to be cultivated in Ngawi,” he explained.
Author: Ika
Photographer: Firsto