A total of 108 sixth semester students of Agrotechnology Study Program, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Brawijaya (FP UB) conducted a field practice visit to the Bangelan Coffee Plantation, owned by PTPN I Regional 5, in Wonosari, Malang Regency, Saturday (04/19/2025). This activity is part of the practicum of the Plantation Crop Production Technology course which aims to strengthen students’ understanding of the coffee production process as a whole, from upstream to downstream.
During the visit, the students were guided by three lecturers, namely Prof. Dr. Ir. Setyono Yudo Tyasmoro, MS, Dr. Adi Setiawan, SP., MP, and Paramyta Nila Permanasari, SP, M.Sc., and accompanied by four assistants. This field practicum is one of the real efforts in bridging theory in class with practice in the field, especially in the context of strategic plantation crops such as coffee.
The Chief Executive, Prof. Dr. Ir. Setyono Yudo Tyasmoro, M.S. hopes that this activity can provide added value for students to study the plantation sector, especially coffee which has high economic value both in the domestic and international markets. It should be noted that the price of robusta coffee in the international regional market is currently quite high, namely $4,667 per kg.
“Through this visit, students can see firsthand how the theories they learn in class are applied in the field. They learn not only about cultivation techniques, but also plantation management and other practical aspects that are crucial in the world of modern agriculture,” said Prof. Yudo.
Students are invited to see and understand directly the stages of coffee production starting from the nursery process, selecting superior seeds, sowing techniques, to how to care for seedlings before being planted in the field. After that, they walk through the plant preservation area, learn pruning techniques, fertilization, and pest and disease control.
The peak of the activity lies in the introduction of the coffee harvesting and post-harvest process, where students are given an understanding of the correct way to pick coffee cherries, to the fermentation, drying, and sorting stages of coffee beans. This stage is very important since it determines the final quality of the coffee product that will be marketed.
One of the advantages of Bangelan Coffee Plantation is the collection of 140 coffee clones. These clones consist of various superior varieties, both Arabica and Robusta, which are developed as part of the plantation’s research and development program.
Students look enthusiastic when interacting with plantation technicians and learning the characteristics of each clone, potential yields, and resistance to pests and diseases. In the discussion and reflection session, some of them expressed their interest in further research on coffee and considering a career in the plantation industry.
This activity is a form of synergy between the world of higher education and the national plantation industry PTPN I Regional 5, as well as the realization of the Independent Learning, Independent Campus (MBKM). Previously, research collaborations and internship programs for students had been carried out. [ZMA/MIT/ UB PR/ Trans. Iir]
