Magelang, Indonesia – Dr. Ganies Riza Aristya, S.Si., M.Sc., Ph.D. together with a research team from the Smart Genetics Research Group, Faculty of Biology, Gadjah Mada University (UGM) and international collaborators from Universiti Malaya consisting of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tan Boon Chin, Dr. Chua Kah Ooi, and Dr. Lau Su Ee implemented genetics-based agricultural innovations and sustainable cultivation through Community Service Program Community Development Based on Applied Research and Community Empowerment with International Collaborators supported by the Equity Program of Gadjah Mada University. This program aims to improve the quality and productivity of Indonesian strawberries through the application of research technology and strengthening the capacity of farmers through international collaboration. This activity is a form of downstream research carried out by universities in order to provide direct benefits to the community while supporting sustainable agricultural development.
The program with the theme “Development of Modern Integrated Farming through Smart Genetics Breeding Program Technology to Improve the Quality and Production of Indonesian Strawberries” was held at the Inggit Strawberry Garden, Banyuroto Village, Sawangan District, Magelang Regency, Central Java. Banyuroto Village, which is located on the slopes of Mount Merapi and Merbabu, is one of the strawberry-producing areas that has developed as a community-based agrotourism destination. The potential of natural resources makes this area a strategic location for the application of research- and technology-based agricultural innovations. However, farmers still face a number of challenges in strawberry cultivation, including plant productivity that tends to fluctuate, fruit quality that is not uniform and optimal, and limited access to modern cultivation technology. Therefore, this service program is present as an effort to bridge the results of university research with the real needs of the community through the application of plant genetics technology and cultivation systems that are more efficient, productive, and sustainable.
[metaslider id=”58792″
In response to these various problems, the service team applied the Smart Genetics Breeding approach as a genetic-based plant breeding technology developed from the research results of the research team. This technology utilizes the polyploidization method to produce superior strawberry varieties that have better agronomic characteristics. The crops developed are expected to have larger fruit sizes, better quality, higher productivity, and stronger adaptability to environmental changes.
In addition to the development of superior seeds, this program also integrates the concept of Modern Integrated Farming through the application of a more measurable and data-based cultivation system. Farmers receive assistance on the use of precision agriculture technology to support more effective land and crop management. This approach is expected to improve cultivation efficiency while helping farmers make more informed decisions based on field conditions.
Collaboration with the University of Malaya is one of the important components in the implementation of this programme. One of the topics introduced by the Universiti Malaya team is the use of hydroponic systems as an alternative cultivation method that is more efficient and adaptive to land limitations. The system is considered to be able to support plant growth in a more controlled manner while increasing the efficiency of water and nutrient use. The Universiti Malaya team also shared experiences related to the management and replacement of planting media in 2-5 harvest cycles to reduce the potential for environmental pollution due to excessive use of fertilizers and support a more environmentally friendly cultivation system.
According to Dr. Ganies Riza Aristya, international collaboration provides great added value in the development of community service programs. “Through this collaboration, we not only implement the results of the research that has been developed at UGM, but also gain various new perspectives from the experiences of international partners. The exchange of knowledge is very important to produce solutions that are more innovative and relevant to the needs of farmers,” he said. This program also includes various mentoring activities for farmer groups, ranging from strengthening cultivation capacity, applying agricultural technology, to developing a more sustainable production system. Through these activities, farmers are expected to be able to increase productivity while understanding the importance of efficient resource management in agricultural business. The participatory approach applied also allows the community to be actively involved in the process of developing and applying technology.
This program is also in line with Gadjah Mada University’s commitment to supporting the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through the application of Smart Genetics Breeding technology and more sustainable cultivation practices, this activity contributes to SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) through increasing productivity and the quality of agricultural products that support food security. This program also supports SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) through strengthening the capacity of farmers and increasing the productivity of farming businesses which has the potential to improve community welfare. Through the synergy between research-based innovation, community empowerment, and international collaboration, this program is expected to become a model of sustainable agricultural development that provides long-term benefits to the community and supports the development of Indonesia’s more advanced and competitive agriculture.
