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| The Development and Maintenance of Subak Bali by UMM. (Photo: Special) |
The University of Muhammadiyah Malang's (UMM) attempt to develop and protect the world heritage of Subak Bali was directly appreciated by The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). On October 14th, the UNESCO team came and observed how the development of Subak Bali, especially in the aspects of water, environment, and food. It is the part of UMM to support the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The UNESCO representative and the regional secretary of Tabanan Regency were also present.
Julia Baribeau and Prof. Adv. Giuseppe Musumeci are representing UNESCO. They said that they appreciated the efforts of the White Campus in maintaining Subak Bali. They also participated in visiting the upper river, the water meeting in the rice fields, the demonstration points, and the end of the water flow. Julia and Masumeci's responses were also positive regarding UMM's various innovations and efforts so far.
"It should be done not only in Tabanan, but also in other parts of Bali. It can also be implemented throughout the province of Bali so that the benefits can also be enjoyed by many people," they said.
Meanwhile, the head of the UMM Subak development team Prof. Dr. Ir. Indah Prihartini, M.P. is happy that the demonstration site (demplot) in Subak can be recognized by world organizations. It is also inseparable from UMM's attempts to apply to UNESCO in order to gain international recognition. Not only as a location for the development and maintenance of water, but also culture, environment and food.
" A while ago, our team also had the opportunity to present and propose it at the UNESCO workshop which took place in China. We explained that UMM wanted to run smart organic farming to improve Subak Bengkel as a center of food, environment, and culture. Then the UNESCO Ecohydrology team came and appreciated and approved our submission," she said.
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The implementation of technology in agriculture also has a positive impact. There are 9-12 tons per hectare produced at nine points. Indah and the team also assisted the process from start to finish. For example, by coordinating related technology, utilizing waste at the reduce, reuse, recycle waste management site (TPS3R) into organic fertilizer, and using natural pesticides.
"UMM also has a biofarm that is used in this development. Biofarm is able to clean the land from chemical residues and also increase soil fertility. Automatically, soil productivity also increases and speeds up harvest time," Indah explained.
The certificate and legitimization of this recognition will be given directly in December. Indah said that the designation of Subak as a demonstration site motivated her team to overcome a tough task. One of them is trying to keep the subak and agricultural system there from being turned into residential houses. The same goes for creating a good and well-maintained environment.
"The actions that we are currently doing are aimed at increasing farmers' income, stabilizing prices and inflation, creating village-based industries that process and manage agricultural products. The result is to help to increase the economic growth. Earlier, UMM also successfully implemented the same thing in Bondowoso and we hope to do it here in Bali," she concluded. (*wil/put)
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