Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) disseminated the results of its research innovations that create real impacts for society. Through the Rerasan Pangan (Food Dialogue) held in Caturtunggal Village, Sleman Regency, on Tuesday (Oct. 8), the UGM team introduced research on the development of the Gamagora rice variety, an outstanding innovation that serves as the foundation for Presokazi rice. The event was part of the Resona Saintek campaign themed “Strong Research for Food Security,” which connects researchers and communities to strengthen national food security.
UGM Secretary Dr. Andi Sandi Antonius Tabusassa Tonralipu stated that the university continuously strives to bridge scientific knowledge and community practices, ensuring that innovations developed on campus can be implemented sustainably.
“We want our research to be truly present and beneficial for society,” he said.
According to Dr. Tonralipu, the Rerasan Pangan event provides a platform for the university to expand the impact of its food-related research.
Through the Resona Saintek program, UGM encourages research outcomes to move beyond the laboratory and be developed collaboratively with local communities. He emphasized the importance of cross-sector collaboration in strengthening local food security.
“We hope this activity will become a space for exchanging ideas so that UGM’s innovations remain relevant to community needs,” he added.
Acting Head of Caturtunggal Village, Feri Ferdian, expressed his appreciation for UGM’s active collaboration with the village government.
He noted that the event provided new insights for residents regarding the potential application of agricultural research in their area. Such collaborations, he said, are expected to help communities develop resilient and sustainable food systems.
“We hope that this collaboration with UGM will continue so that the benefits of university research can be directly felt by the community,” he remarked.
Researcher at the UGM Faculty of Agriculture, Dr. Rizky Pasthika Kirana, presented the research on the development of the Gamagora rice variety, a superior innovation by UGM that serves as the basis for Presokazi rice.
She explained that the research stemmed from the need to produce rice seeds that are resistant to climate change, pests, and limited land conditions. The Gamagora variety was developed through genetic selection and field testing in various regions, allowing it to grow in both wet and dry land.
“We started from the real challenges faced by farmers, so this research was designed to directly address their needs,” she explained.
Dr. Kirana added that the Gamagora variety has high productivity and stable grain quality. In recent years, the seeds have been tested in several regions, yielding promising results.
Through collaboration with local farmers, the UGM team ensures that the development process of this variety remains adaptive and sustainable. She expressed hope that more farming communities would gain access to and benefit from the variety in the future.
“We want the knowledge we develop to grow with the community, because meaningful research is research that lives among the people,” she said.
Meanwhile, Dr. Andrianto Ansari, also a researcher at the Faculty of Agriculture, explained that the Gamagora rice variety gave rise to Presokazi rice, a processed product that enhances the value of agricultural research.
According to him, Presokazi represents a tangible outcome of UGM’s agricultural research ready for broader application. He noted that the rice has a soft texture, natural savory taste, and high nutritional value.
“Presokazi is the result of UGM’s research that we have developed seriously so that people can enjoy it as a healthy and nutritious food product,” he said.
Dr. Andri, as he is commonly known, stated that Presokazi production follows a precise process, from harvesting and drying to milling. He emphasized the importance of applying post-harvest technology to maintain the quality of rice.
Presokazi rice has also undergone testing for iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) content, both of which show high levels, making it potentially beneficial in helping to prevent stunting.
“We ensure that every stage is carefully controlled so that the resulting rice is not only superior in taste but also rich in nutrients,” he elaborated.
Dr. Andri further explained that the success of Presokazi was made possible through the synergy between the government, researchers, and farming partners.
He emphasized that agricultural research should not stop at seed discovery, but rather continue through processing and distribution. This principle, he added, is the driving spirit behind Presokazi as a brand born from UGM’s research.
“We want agricultural research outcomes to go beyond academic knowledge and truly become food products that bring benefits to many people,” he said.
The discussion session proceeded dynamically, with participants asking about opportunities for cultivating Gamagora and developing Presokazi in Caturtunggal.
The researchers welcomed the community’s enthusiasm and expressed openness to future collaboration and mentoring. Residents hoped that UGM’s research results could be applied in their area to strengthen local food independence.
“We are pleased to see the community’s enthusiasm for food innovation,” said Dr. Andri.
The Rerasan Pangan event concluded with a call to strengthen synergy among universities, village governments, and communities.
Participants expressed appreciation for UGM’s continued commitment to delivering research innovations through direct community engagement. Through this activity, UGM reaffirmed its role in supporting national food independence through research that is both applicable and responsive to community needs.
“We hope activities like this will continue so that the benefits of university research can be increasingly felt by the public,” said one participant.
Author: Triya Andriyani
Post-editor: Salma
Photographer: Donnie Trisfian