Gapoktaren: IPB University’s KKNT Innovation Initiative to Enhance Aren Farmer Solidarity in Gelaranyar Village
Gelaranyar Village, Pagelaran Sub-district, Cianjur, West Java has a superior commodity derived from sugar palm. To build a strong solidarity among palm farmers in Gelaranyar Village, IPB University’s Thematic Real Work Lecture (KKNT) Innovation students organised the Gapoktaren programme.
The socialisation of Gapoktaren was held in the Gelaranyar Village Office Hall, involving the aren palm farmers. “This programme aims to improve the solidarity and welfare of aren palm farmers through the formation and strengthening of farmer groups,” said Faqih Abdul Sidiq, Coordinator of KKNT Inovasi Gelaranyar Village.
The aren palm tree itself is a type of palm plant that produces fruit, sap and starch or flour in the trunk. All aren palm products can be utilised and have economic value. For example, nira water as the main raw material for making brown sugar, fruit processed into kolang-kaling, and palm fibre as raw material for palm brooms.
The Gapoktaren formation meeting was attended by palm farmers from various hamlets, including Cipeuteuy, Parigi, Nyengked, and Sukamulya. At the same time, IPB University students also introduced the ‘IPB Digitani’ platform, an innovative application as an information exchange medium between farmers and IPB University experts.
“The socialisation of the IPB Digitani platform is very useful for Gelaranyar farmers, because with this platform, they can be more widely aware of information related to agriculture, forestry, and even fisheries,” said Yandi as the Secretary of Gelaranyar Village.
This activity was also attended by Ganda Subagja as the Field Agricultural Extension Officer (PPL) of Pagelaran. “Gelaranyar Village has great potential from other villages, especially in the field of sugar palm agriculture, because there are so many palm trees in Gelaranyar. In addition, it is also necessary to record the population of the existing palm trees,” he said.
IPB University students involved in the KKNT Inovasi programme explained how to use the IPB Digitani platform. The platform will be useful as a medium for farmers to communicate and consult with IPB University experts on agriculture and rural areas.
Through a participatory approach, the students can build close relationships with farmers, thus facilitating the transfer of knowledge and technology needed to improve the production and quality of sugar palm.
“With the Gapoktaren initiative, we hope to build strong solidarity among palm farmers in Gelaranyar Village. With the formation of this farmer group, aren palm farmers are expected to share knowledge and experience with each other,” said Faqih.
Thus, he said, Gapoktaren is expected to become a sustainable model of farmer empowerment, not only increasing farmers’ income but also providing long-term positive impacts for the Gelaranyar Village community. (*/Rz) (IAAS/RUM)
