The current need for food is crucial due to domestic food supply shortages that fail to meet consumer demands. The National Food Balance Report by the National Food Agency states that all strategic food needs in Indonesia still cannot be met through domestic production, necessitating imports of several primary food items.
Ngawis, Gunungkidul, is one region that supplies a significant amount of food in the Yogyakarta Special Region, such as rice, legumes, corn, and chilies. According to a survey conducted by the head of Karang Taruna Harapan Jaya in Ngawis 2 Hamlet, several agricultural issues have been identified, causing concern among local farmers.
These issues include pests, declining land productivity, drought, simple fertilization and plant maintenance methods, and outdated agricultural systems. Addressing these problems is essential because Ngawis 2 Hamlet has the potential for better development of both natural and human resources. The hamlet greatly anticipates solutions and guidance from external parties to help resolve its agricultural challenges.
“Currently, we face agricultural problems such as pests, agricultural management, drought, and traditional farming systems. We hope for guidance from external parties to change all this and bring additional business opportunities for us,” said Sutar, a Karang Taruna Harapan Jaya member.
Responding to these issues, five Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) students, together with Karang Taruna Harapan Jaya, developed a transformation project through the Student Creativity Program in Community Service (PKM-PM) titled “Drylands Farming: Strengthening Youth Potential Based on Agroedutainment and Smart Innovation Towards 3E Precision Agriculture Transformation in Ngawis Hamlet, Gunungkidul.”
The team members include Faris Ariwibowo, Awaliyatul Mukaromah, Sofi, Adry Aqwam Thoriq (Animal Science), Ana Nur Fauziah (Agricultural Technology), and Vania Zerlin Azaria (Agriculture). Dr. Siti Andarwati, a Faculty of Animal Science lecturer, is their advisor.
Faris Ariwibowo, the team leader, explained that UGM students in this program strive to develop the agricultural system in Ngawis 2 Hamlet by empowering Karang Taruna based on agro-edutainment and smart innovation as agents of change.
Through this empowerment, they aim to bring about future changes in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). During a site survey, Faris highlighted the introduction of smart innovations such as the creation of smart bag fertinnovation and sprinkler applications, which are expected to facilitate the development of agricultural potential in Ngawis 2 Hamlet effectively, efficiently, and economically.
“With the sustainability of this program, it will open up possibilities for establishing a smart bag fertinnovation business and independent compost fertilizer sales, providing additional business opportunities for the community and partners,” said Faris at the UGM campus on Thursday (July 4).
Faris emphasized that the priority should be strengthening the potential of youth through agro-edutainment and smart innovation. Agroedutainment activities include training programs on land processing, planting, soil condition checking, fertilization methods, irrigation, independent compost fertilizer production, innovation practice, and harvesting.
According to 2021 Statistics Indonesia data, Karangmojo District has approximately 2,021 hectares of productive land, including land in Ngawis 2 Hamlet. The drylands farming program, which includes agro-edutainment activities to strengthen youth potential, is expected to foster entrepreneurial spirit and improve the living standards of the community and partners.
“The involvement of Karang Taruna Harapan Jaya members, who are in their productive years, will create superior human resources, enhance economic aspects, and introduce appropriate innovations to facilitate the transition to modern agriculture. Achieving the 3E precision agriculture system (efficient, effective, and economical) is expected to simplify the development of better agricultural potential for community partners,” he concluded.
Author: Agung Nugroho