The Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) once again carried out a community service program by introducing an innovation in the use of fermented duckweed (Lemna sp.) as feed for fish and livestock. The activity was held at the Al-Dzikro Orphanage Foundation, Imogiri, Bantul, as an effort to promote food self-sufficiency while also encouraging productive economic enterprises within the orphanage.

Duckweed, or kiambang, is a high-protein aquatic plant with great potential as an alternative feed source. Through the fermentation process, the nutritional value of duckweed can be enhanced and its digestibility improved, thereby not only reducing feed production costs but also opening new business opportunities based on local resources. read more

In support of food security and sustainable farming practices, the Community Service (PKM) team of the Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) organized a training on “Microbial-Based Biofertilizer Production” for the women’s community group (PKK) of Pedukuhan Bergan, Wijirejo Village, Bantul Regency on Sunday, July 20, 2025. The activity took place from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. WIB, involving lecturers, students, and local residents in a spirit of collaboration and enthusiasm.

Bantul is one of the food production centers in the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY), currently facing serious challenges related to the sustainability of agricultural land. Data from the local Agriculture Office shows a decline in soil fertility due to the intensive use of chemical fertilizers over the past two decades. This condition makes biofertilizer innovations increasingly relevant to support agricultural productivity while reducing dependence on subsidized chemical fertilizers. read more

The Community Service and Empowerment Program (KKN-PPM) Period II 2025 of Universitas Gadjah Mada was successfully carried out by one of the Agricultural Microbiology students of the 2022 cohort, Ilyasa Ilham, for 50 days from June 20 to August 8, 2025 in Silaut Subdistrict, Pesisir Selatan Regency, West Sumatra. KKN-PPM is a compulsory course that enables students to directly apply their academic knowledge within society. Through this program, students are encouraged to live among the community while making tangible contributions to both the prevention and resolution of local challenges. read more

An environmentally friendly technology-based empowerment program has been successfully carried out by Agricultural Microbiology student of the 2022 cohort, Elnadya Karina Cahya Murti, over a period of 50 days to optimize the abundant local resources. Elnadya was accompanied by the KKN-PPM Junjung Pulau Besar team, Period II of 2025, in Sumber Jaya Permai Village, South Bangka Regency, Bangka Belitung Islands.

To enhance sustainable agricultural and livestock productivity, Elnadya focused her program on the application of microbiological knowledge. The work programs included producing cocopeat planting media from coconut husk waste through microbial fermentation, education and application of mycorrhizal propagules on corn seeds, and the utilization of briquettes made from cattle manure as an alternative energy source. read more

The UGM KKN-PPM Semerbak Banyuwangi team successfully introduced mycorrhizal biofertilizer to the Kumojoyo Farmers Group in Tegalsari Village, Tegalsari District, Banyuwangi Regency. The work program, entitled Application of Mycorrhizal Biofertilizer on Corn Plants, was initiated by Rr. Angelicha Larasati Chandra Diningrat, a 2022 Agricultural Microbiology student. The program was held from June 30 to July 12, 2025 as a response to farmers’ concerns regarding declining corn productivity caused by pathogenic fungi. read more

The KKN-PPM UGM Tilik Tulakan team for the second period of 2025 has successfully completed its community service program in Tulakan Village and Bungur Village, Tulakan District, Pacitan Regency. The team, consisting of 29 students, was guided by Gilang Wirakusuma, S.P., M.Sc. as the Field Supervisor (DPL). Tulakan District was chosen because of its significant role in strengthening the agricultural sector, considered the leading sector of the region. The program, which took place from June 29 to July 2, 2025, focused on the concerns of local residents regarding declining agricultural yields due to poor soil fertility. read more

The Community Service-Learning Program (KKN-PPM) Period II 2025 of Universitas Gadjah Mada was carried out by all students of the 2022 cohort across various regions in Indonesia. One of the Agricultural Microbiology students, Selvina Ratna, participated as a member of the Bromo Bestari Team, which conducted community service in Gubugklakah Village, Poncokusumo Subdistrict, Malang Regency, East Java. Through this program, Selvina gained valuable new experiences and had the opportunity to directly apply the knowledge she had acquired during her studies. The KKN location, a village known for its fertile land and as a gateway to Mount Bromo’s tourist route, also provided Selvina with the chance to better understand the local community, cultural activities, and the untapped potential of local resources through interdisciplinary collaboration. read more

Yomita Misya, a student of the Agricultural Microbiology Study Program, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Gadjah Mada (Faperta UGM), introduced “corn tempeh” as an innovation in local food development in Gedong Jetis Village, Tulung District, Klaten Regency, Central Java. This activity was part of the Community Service Program (KKN-PPM) “Tulang Tulung” Team, which focuses on addressing extreme poverty in the region.

According to the coordinator of the Gedong Jetis subunit, Aldara Fatiyah (Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, 2022), corn is the main agricultural commodity in Gedong Jetis Village.
“There are plenty of cornfields in Gedong Jetis, and the farmers are abundant as well. However, until now the harvest has only been sold as livestock feed without further processing,” she explained. read more

The Department of Agricultural Microbiology, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), has once again achieved an academic milestone through an international scientific publication. On June 29, 2025, a research article titled “Enhanced Biomass Production of Various Aquatic Duckweed Species Through the Inoculation of Plant Growth-Promoting Bacteria” was officially published in the Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Biology & Fisheries, a reputable journal in the field of aquatic biology and fisheries. read more

The Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Gadjah Mada (Faperta UGM), in collaboration with Kasetsart University, Thailand, held a guest lecture open to the UGM academic community and the public. The event took place online via Zoom Meeting on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, featuring Dr. Chanita Boonmak from the Duckweed Holobiont Resource and Research Center (DHBC), Kasetsart University, Thailand, as the keynote speaker.

The topic presented in this guest lecture was “Duckweed Microbiome: Unlocking Bacterial Potential for Environmental and Food Applications”, which highlighted research collaboration funded by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) under the Science and Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development (SATREPS) program. read more