Himagron IPB Initiated to Establish Cabai Village at Balumbang Jaya, Bogor

Agronomy and Horticulture Students Association (Himagron), Faculty of Agriculture, Bogor Agricultural University (Faperta-IPB) initiated to establish the chili village at  Balumbang Jaya, Bogor city. This idea was presented by the Secretary of the Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, Faperta IPB, Dr. Ahmad Junaedi, in the Jum’at Keliling (Friday event) organized by Institute for Research and Community Service (LPPM) IPB, on Friday, 22 June 2012,  at the Masjid Al Barokah, Balumbang Jaya Village. " Himagron will sow chili seeds and will distribute them to the communties of the village or neighborhoods, at the beginning family will get five seedlings. The provision the chili seedlings is part of food sufficiency program, especially for chili commodities as they are getting more and more expensive in the Lebaran day, "said Dr.Ahmad.

The idea of establishing chili village was reponded by the villagers with a great applause.  Every household expressed his interest to get chili seeds, therefore to distribute them  evenly  every house will get a chili seedling. "This activity is purely our initiative to help residents. Chili seedlings we are going to distribute are flowering and have small fruits, "said the Head of the Division of Research and Development of the Himagron of  Faperta-IPB, Mr. Aulia Rahman Habib. The species to be distributed is CH3 type, it was invented by one of the IPB researchers, Dr. M. Syukur and (Late) Dr. Rahmi. "This type of chili is pests resistant, and its hot level is 100 times than the ordinary chili," said Habib.

Village Head of Balumbang Jaya, Mr. M. Tafsir, expressed his appreciation to Himagron program and expected such program will be expanded. "We expect that the chili seedlings will be distributed to the entire village. In addition to chili seedlings, we also expect that tomato seedlings will also be distributed  for us, "said  Mr. Tafsir.  The secretary of LPPM IPB, Dr.Sulistiono,  said that the Himagron  activities is part of the community service. "In addition to community service  the University is also implementing research program and education," said Dr.Sulistiono. Present on this  special occasion, Deputy Head of Community Service of LPPM IPB, Dr. H. Prastowo. (Wied).