
The Karya Abdi Brawijaya Team has created an innovative soil fertility detection tool to help farmers monitor and analyze their soil conditions more accurately. They are Najwa Urfi, Lulu Melati, Adit Maulana, and Masayu Ramadhani, with technology assistant Yusuf Yuaniar. This program is part of the initiative of the Ministry of Research, Innovation, and Work (RINOYA) Student Executive of Universitas Brawijaya (EM UB) 2024 which aims to support sustainable agriculture in rural areas of Malang, especially in Tegalweru Village, Jengglong Hamlet, Malang.
The team provided assistance in the form of tools and materials at the Jengglong Hamlet Hall, Tegalweru, Tuesday (29/07/2024), and provided training for farmers to maximize the use of newly received technology and agricultural products. The event was attended by a number of local officials, farmers, and representatives from village institutions.
Yusuf Yuaniar, representing the team, said that this activity was carried out in an effort to increase the productivity and quality of the harvest of the Tegalweru village orange orchard, especially in Jengglong hamlet.
“By using sophisticated technology, this tool allows farmers to identify soil nutrient needs, so that they can apply fertilizers appropriately. This is expected to optimize the growth of orange plants and prevent excessive use of fertilizers which are often detrimental to the environment and the economy of farmers,” explained Yusuf Yuaniar.
In addition to soil detection tools, the team also provided assistance to farmers in the form of environmentally friendly organic fertilizers. This fertilizer is processed from natural ingredients and aims to increase soil fertility in a sustainable manner. The use of organic fertilizers was chosen since it can improve soil structure, increase water retention capacity, and reduce the risk of soil and water pollution due to chemical fertilizers.
The Head of Farmers of Jengglong Hamlet, Tegalweru Village, Mr. Salimun, said in his speech, “We are very grateful for this assistance. With the availability of soil fertility detection tools and organic fertilizers, we are sure that the yield of the orange orchard will increase. This is an important step in supporting the welfare of farmers in our village and strengthening the local agricultural sector of orange orchards”.
The farmers in Jengglong Hamlet welcomed this program and hope to feel the benefits soon. With the use of the right detection tools and organic fertilizers, they are optimistic that they can achieve better harvests, which in turn are expected to increase their income and welfare.
The handover of the tools and fertilizers was closed with a question and answer session and demonstration of the use of the soil fertility detection tool, where farmers were given the opportunity to understand how the new technology works and its benefits.
In the future, it is hoped that Tegalweru Village can become a successful example for other areas in implementing modern, environmentally friendly and sustainable agricultural technology. [EMUB/Irene/ UB PR/ Trans. Iir]