In order to increase collaboration and synergy in empowering the community, the KKN-PPM UGM team Period 4 of 2022 Kulon Progo Unit YO-099 with team leader Adityo Reyhan P., collaborated with Gama Wader, Faculty of Biology, UGM. Activities carried out on 25 January 2023 in the Sendangsari Village Hall Hall, Pengasih District, Kulon Progo, D.I. Yogyakarta invites Dr. Bambang Retnoaji M.Sc., as the leader of the Gama Wader team, Anita Raharjeng, M.Sc., M.BioMed.Sc., as the resource person and member of the Gama Wader team. The event which was held in the Hall of the Sendangsari Village Hall was opened by Mr. Suhardi, as the Village Head of Sendangsari Village, and was attended by the head of the hamlet, several community representatives and representatives of the Fish Cultivator Group (POKDAKAN). In his opening speech, he hoped that wader rays cultivation could be implemented and become a follow-up program in Sendangsari Village, because local fish cultivation in Sendangsari Village was still lacking.
In addition to teaching about wader fish cultivation, a demonstration was also carried out and a detailed explanation of the stages of spawning of wader rays was also carried out to the public. In the demonstration activity, the community participated in selecting male and female fish by pushing the abdomen of the fish. During the demonstration, the community looked very enthusiastic and asked several questions, such as the importance of using aerators during the spawning process, processes and prospects and so on.
Ganies Riza Aristya, S.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D., as the Period 4 PPM Community Service Lecturer, expressed her hopes for the continuation of this program. In addition to the increasing economic potential of wader fish, she stated that this activity is also a form of preserving the local wisdom of the local village. As it is known that Sendangsari Village itself has a tradition that one of the pre-marital conditions that must be carried out by a married couple is to carry out preservation by donating local fish to the river. Nadia Mariam C., as the head of the program, explained that the program to release fish into the river by prospective brides in Sendangsari village is included in the Commitment of Kulon Progo Residents and the Bride and Groom’s Fish Handout program (JOGOKALIKU SIPATIN). Michael Nathan P., as head of the Girinyono Sub Unit, added that this program was launched by the Kulon Progo Ministry of Religion Office together with the local regency government. The socialization activity was then closed with a documentation and closing session by the moderator. By carrying out this socialization, it is hoped that the people of Sendangsari Village can take part in efforts to preserve wader rays by starting to cultivate their own wader rays.