First Harvest, Papaya Calina IPB University Innovation Will Be Available at Every Indomaret Outlet in Bogor Regency
IPB University and Indomaret carried out the first harvest of calina papaya in Sadengkolot Village, Leuwisadeng District, Bogor Regency (7/8). The Calina Papaya planting collaboration is part of IPB University's One Village One CEO (OVOC) program with Indomaret in Bogor Regency which are spread across 9 villages, namely Leuwisadeng (Sadengkolot), Benteng, Ciaruteun, Bojongjengkol, Pasirmadang, Mulyaharja, Petir, Sinarsari and Sukamantri (IPB Sukamantri Plantation).
Indomaret Microeconomics Executive Director, Feki Oktavianus explained that this collaboration was designed because there were similarities in the program with IPB university, namely to improve social and environmental development. His party is committed that the results from the calina papaya harvest will be allocated to each Indomaret outlet throughout Bogor Regency.
"Indomaret will accommodate the entire harvest. Farmers must always be enthusiastic because this has great potential. We will continue to develop this effort on a larger scale," he said.
Daily executor (Plh) Director of Agromaritim Community Development IPB University, Dr. Mohammad Iqbal Irfany said, the calina papaya planting program had started in stages since October 2022. For the Sadengkolot Village location, the planting was carried out in January.
"This planting program has involved more than 50 people involved in the community, including farmers, farm workers, assistants and practitioners," he said. Dr. Iqbal continued, farmers have also sent calina papayas to Indomaret.
Currently, there are two distribution centers (DC), namely DC Bogor 1 and Bogor 2 which have been supplied with papaya calina. The average shipment reaches 1.5 tons per week.
"This year's target is to add 1 more DC. In 2024, we are targeting a harvest of 6 tonnes per week. With this OVOC-based farmer empowerment pattern, we can increase the productivity and quality of papaya calina," he said.
The Chancellor of IPB University, Prof. Arif Satria thanked Indomaret for receiving products from farmers' crops. According to him, this location will also be developed as a learning centre, namely a place of learning for local farmers. This learning centre is not only for consultation, but as a place to market farmer's products.
"If the village is assisted, it will be extraordinary, so that it can make our farmers have the ability to continue to produce agricultural products well. Hopefully by working with Indomaret, we can encourage farmers to continue planting. Our commitment is to find market partners to help farmers sell their crops," he said. (dr/Rz) (IAAS/AMR)
