Yogyakarta, July 25, 2024 – The Faculty of Biology Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) successfully conducted training in Orchid Cultivation and a competency test for Orchid Planting Practitioners qualification. The Dean of the Faculty of Biology UGM, Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc., officially opened the training on July 22, 2024. The training had 16 attendees, while the competency test saw participation from 22 individuals hailing from different regions across Indonesia, comprising academics, practitioners, alumni, and students. The event successfully enhanced the participants’ knowledge and skills in orchid cultivation.
The intensive three-day training, from July 22 to 24, 2024, focused on orchid planting techniques, from preparing planting media to caring for mature plants. The training materials were presented by orchid experts, including Prof. Dr. Endang Semiarti, M.S., M.Sc., and Aries Bagus Sasongko from the Faculty of Biology UGM, Dr. Ixora Sartika Mercuriani from Yogyakarta State University, and Eniek Sulistyanti, an experienced orchid practitioner. The training covers theoretical and practical sessions on planting bottled orchid seedlings, repotting, grading, sorting orchids, and post-harvest handling of orchids. The training was a collaboration between the Laboratory of Biotechnology Faculty of Biology UGM and Orchid Enthusiasts Association (PAI) DPD DIY.
“This training aims to enhance participants’ knowledge and skills in orchid cultivation, thus contributing to the development of the orchid industry in Indonesia,” said Prof. Dr. Budi during the opening ceremony.
After the training, participants took the competency test held at the Biotechnology Competency Test Center, Faculty of Biology UGM, on July 25, 2024, with assessors from the National Agriculture Professional Certification Agency (LSP) Malang, Drs. Surini Santosa, M.Si., Ari Setyowati, M.P, and Drs. Kaswan Badami, M.Si. The exam assesses participants’ competencies, consisting of 24 competency units required by orchid planting practitioners. Coordinator of the Biotechnology Competency Test Center, Prof. Dr. Endang Semiarti, M.S., M.Sc., welcomed the enthusiasm of the competency test participants, marking the first batch for Orchid Planting Practitioner competency at the Biotechnology Competency Test Center, Faculty of Biology UGM.
“Competency certification is important for orchid cultivation business actors, as it can enhance the competitiveness of their products in the market,” said Drs. Surini Santoso, M.Si., in his speech as Director of the LSP Agriculture Malang. The Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Collaboration, and Alumni Affairs officially opened the Competency Test. He stated, “Besides the competency for Orchid Planting Practitioners, the Biotechnology Competency Test Center also holds Competency Tests for other competencies such as Plant Tissue Culture and invites participants to take the competency test scheduled for late 2024.”
The competency test results announced on Thursday afternoon showed that all participants were recommended as competent. Responding to the recommendations, all participants were happy and hoped to continue orchid cultivation activities in their respective places. (A.B. Sasongko)