IPB, Village of Situ Gede and Bank BTN Develop Community-Based Agro-Tourism
Bogor Agricultural University (IPB), the Village of Situ Gede and Bank BTN agreed to develop agro-tourism based on the excellent potential of community resources. The agreement was made in the Friday Tour (Jumling) held by the Institute for Research and Community Empowerment (LPPM) of IPB in Situ Gede Village, (22 /7). In the Friday tour IPB submitted an Agro-Tourism Road Map to the village Chief of Situ Gede, witnessed by the Director of Bank BTN who also attended the occasion.
The village Chief of Situ Gede, Rusmana said the presence of IPB is really felt to be beneficial by the community. "A lot of activities and student activities for community empowerment have been absorbed by the people of Situ Gede, such as the development of Posdaya (Household Empowerment Post), making compost, micro-economic institutions, and so on. Even our Posdaya are already known as far as Gorontalo," said village chief Rusmana proudly.
Further, Rusmana said the presence of IPB, which is located very close to the Village of Situgede is very helpful to the community, especially as some of Situ Gede region is of agricultural land. Dr. Prastowo, Vice Head of Community Service in the Institute of Research and Community Service (LPPM) IPB said, "IPB is only acting as a facilitator, the main player is the community."
Director of Bank BTN of Bogor Branch, Adi Atmadja Suharto, who is also an alumnus of IPB, expressed support for the plan of IPB and Situ Gede Village in the development of community-based agro-tourism, particularly to support small-medium businesses that need capital support. Managerial Staff of Bank of BTN had the opportunity to talk with a farmer who has developed mushroom through a creative effort into pepes (boiled with spices wrapped in banana leaves) and mushroom satay.
The Village Chief of Situ Gede will immediately coordinate with the Local Institution of Community Empowerment (LPM) and other elements of the community to form a team to establish a community-based agro-tourism area of Situ Gede. (Mtd)
