Universitas Brawijaya (UB) Lecturer, Karuniawan Puji Wicaksono, SP., MP., Ph.D and the team collaborated with the Association of Farmers Groups (Gapoktan) Rukun Sentosa and the Agriculture and Food Service of Blitar Regency to strengthen institutions and increase the capacity of community food storages in Institutional Management Rice Business in Blitar Regency.
The activity, which was funded by the Matching Fund of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology (Kemdikbudristek) is entitled “Increasing the Capacity of Community Food Barns with Appropriate Technology Downstream Technology, Marketing Strategy, and Social Inclusiveness for the Development of Green Economy for the Community of Blitar Regency”.
The activity began with a workshop on institutional aspects at Rukun Sentosa farmer group which was held on Wednesday (05/10/2022). The workshop discussed institutional development, administration strengthening and business models in Community Food Barns managed by Gapoktan so that Gapoktan can be efficient and successful in carrying out its functions. The material for the institutional aspect workshop was delivered by Dr. George Towar Ikbal Tawakkal, S.IP., M.Si.
“The aim of this workshop is to realize the institutional development of the farmer group in the form of a Farmer Owned Enterprise (BUMP) with legal status as an economic institution for the farmer group,” explained Karuniawan Puji Wicaksono.
In addition, this activity also provides knowledge to farmer group members to be able to apply good and sustainable business institutional governance in accordance with relevant administrative principles such as making letters, asset inventory, filing, financial management and so on, as well as to provide a business model that is in accordance with BUMP run by farmers.
“It is hoped that by holding this workshop, farmer group members will be able to apply the knowledge they have acquired so that they can improve the quality of their human resources,” he concluded.
The Matching Fund financing program is a concrete form of government support for creating collaboration and strategic synergy between Higher Education Institutions (university institutions) and Industry. [Myt/Irene/ Humas UB/ Trans. Iir]
