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| UMM Potato Seeds Commits to Realizing Its Vision to Become a Leading Center in Potato Seed Production in Indonesia (Photo: Special) |
The University of Muhammadiyah Malang (UMM) Potato Seeds unit has become one of the university's growing business units. Operating in the field of downstreaming and commercializing research results, this unit has successfully produced high-quality, virus-free potato seeds. With a strong drive to improve the quality, quantity, and continuity of potato production in Indonesia, UMM Potato Seeds has carried out various programs, particularly after receiving support from the Ministry of Research, Technology, and Higher Education (Ristek Dikti) through the Campus Business Development Program.
Dr. Ir. Syarif Husen, M.P., the coordinator of UMM Potato Seeds, explained that one of the key factors behind the success of this business unit is the application of technological innovations in the potato seed production process. The Temporary Immersion Bioreactor (TIB) technology, developed by UMM researchers under Syarif's leadership, is a cornerstone innovation in the seed industry. TIB enables large-scale potato seed production with higher quality and shorter timeframes compared to conventional methods.
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UMM Potato Seeds not only focuses on technological innovation but also builds strategic partnerships with various related parties, including farmers, the government, and research institutions. These partnerships allow for knowledge exchange, access to resources, and wider distribution of potato seeds. In an effort to boost self-sufficiency in potato seeds, UMM Potato Seeds has partnered with basic seed multipliers spread throughout East Java. This collaboration is expected to accelerate the production of high-quality seeds and meet the needs of farmers in the region.
Furthermore, Syarif noted that despite its many achievements, UMM Potato Seeds still faces several challenges, such as limited marketing outside Java, business competition, and climate change. However, these challenges also present opportunities for continuous innovation and the development of new products that are more adaptable to dynamic environmental conditions.
With the existence of UMM Potato Seeds, Syarif hopes to have a positive economic impact and support the development of basic potato seed breeding businesses in East Java. This can be seen from the economic feasibility study on the profitability prospects of the seed breeding business, including breeder seeds and basic potato seeds. The profitability of the breeder seed business is expected to result in virus-free potato seeds in the form of plantlets, distributed throughout Indonesia.
“This business is estimated to generate a net present value of IDR 628,684,924. Meanwhile, the basic potato seed breeders in the G0 class are expected to generate a net present value of IDR 449,850,154,” he said.
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Lastly, Syarif emphasized that UMM Potato Seeds is committed to realizing its vision of becoming a leading center for potato seed production in Indonesia. This will be achieved through ongoing research and development, increasing production capacity, and expanding distribution networks. The business unit is considered to have great potential to meet the demand for high-quality potato seeds on a national scale.
“Moreover, with the support from the Campus Business Program (PUK) from the Ministry of Research, Technology, and Higher Education, which is now in its second year, this will surely increase sales turnover and support income generation for the university,” he concluded. (*/zaf/wil//Fajr)
