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| The University of Muhammadiyah Malang Teams Collaborated with the Nganjuk Local Government Teams (Photo: Wildan Humas) |
The University of Muhammadiyah Malang (UMM) team has once again engaged the local government to develop organic farming. At this time, they collaborated with the Nganjuk local government to develop an organic shallot farming system. The collaboration began with the demonstration plot (demplot) planting on September 11 in Sukorejo Village, Rejoso, Nganjuk. This activity is also one of the programs of the Professor of Community Economic Drivers that UMM continues to maintain.
Muslim Harsoyo, the Head of the Nganjuk Regency Agriculture Office, and the lineup delegation of White Campus representatives in the initial planting. Team leader Prof. Dr. Ir. Indah Prihantini, M.P. explained that this activity was an implementation of the Kedaireka Matching Fund program which was carried out in 2023. Some of the activities, that have been and are being carried out, are the use of organic fertilizers, organic farming counselling, and others.
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"Our team has also assisted 20 shallot farmers in managing and operating organic farming. This is a strategic collaboration because it collaborates with several parties such as the regional government, the agriculture office, cooperatives, and farmers," he added.
The 5 hectares of the first farmland will be farmed. The organic shallot planting will be treated with Rebost, the fertilizer created by Indah. She hopes that farmers will acquire knowledge and eventually switch to friendly environments of agriculture. Previously, she and his team had also successfully operated organic farming in Bondowoso and provided positive and maximum outcomes for farmers.
"Actually, the program in Nganjuk is similar to the one that has been implemented in Bondowoso since 2017. The difference is that in Bondowoso the focus is on rice, whereas in Nganjuk, we focus on shallot farming. Hopefully, this program could proceed as planned and provide benefits in this first year," Indah said.
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On the other hand, Muslim Harsoyo enthusiastically welcomed this collaboration. She also hopes that organic farming can provide healthy, good, and profitable results. Especially with the ministerial regulation that reduces the type and amount of subsidized fertilizer commodities.
Muslim says that the use of chemical fertilizers also has negative impacts, both on farmers and soil productivity. Over time, farmers undoubtedly have to increase costs to continue agricultural activities. "Hopefully this collaboration can provide good things for all parties, especially for farmers," he concluded. (Tri/Wil/Fajr)
