Learning Fruit Cultivation in Pots, IPB University Commodity School Participants Visit Tenjo Tenjo Pick Your Own Farm

Fruit crops such as avocados, guavas, and longans are generally grown directly in open fields and require a considerable amount of space. However, advances in pot based fruit cultivation techniques have made it possible to grow these crops on more limited land.

Participants in the IPB University 2026 Commodity School gained hands on experience with these techniques through the Agripreneur Camp at the Tenjo Pick Your Own Farm in Tenjolaya Subdistrict, Bogor Regency. The event was organized by the Institute for Agromaritime Development and Innopreneurship Acceleration (LPA2I) some time ago.

Tenjo Pick Your Own Farm is managed by a team from the Durian Nusantara Foundation under the leadership of Dr Reza Tirtawinata, an IPB University alumnus who has been developing container-based fruit cultivation techniques since 2022. Today, this method is not only practiced in Bogor but has also expanded to other regions in Indonesia, such as West Java, Central Java, and East Java.

“This planting technique offers various benefits, including year round fruit harvests (regardless of the season), optimized plant nutrients, maximized irrigation systems, and a shorter growth cycle for the plants compared to conventional methods,” said Dr Reza.

Through the technique of growing fruit in pots, plant management can be more intensive and controlled. Fertilization, irrigation, and nutrient supply are managed according to the plants’ needs. These conditions provide opportunities for the development of fruit cultivation on limited land in various regions.

A total of 25 participants, consisting of students from various academic programs and community members mentored by IPB University, took part in this activity. Participants gained hands on experience with pot based fruit cultivation techniques, ranging from planting and maintenance, fertilization and plant nutrition management, pest and disease control, to fruit set induction.

The Agripreneur Camp is part of the learning pathway for the 2026 Commodity School. Previously, participants had received training on commodity cultivation through a Thematic Course led by faculty members and industry practitioners. This was followed by hands on field experience to ensure participants not only understand concepts and theories but also witness the practical application of technology and commodity management at the farm level.

Prof Tri Prartono, Vice Chair of LPA2I for Innovation, Technology Transfer, and Sociopreneurship, stated that this activity is part of IPB University’s efforts to provide practical learning while also benefiting the community.

“We hope that this Commodity School will be beneficial for the implementation of applied knowledge in accordance with the three pillars of higher education in the fields of education and community development,” said Prof Tri.

Overall, the 2026 Commodity School was attended by approximately 90 participants across four commodity sectors, namely high yield fruits, food crops, poultry, and freshwater fish.

“I am very grateful to be one of the participants in the Commodity School. We were equipped with basic knowledge about avocado cultivation, and now we can see its application firsthand at the Tenjo Pick Your Own Farm. This experience has inspired me to develop cultivation techniques suited to the conditions in my region,” said one of the participants. (*/Rz) (IAAS/LAN)