Reviving Hope, Himateta IPB University Explores the Potential of Ciaruteun Ilir Village through IDE Intelligence
Through the Student Organisation Capacity Strengthening Program (PPK Ormawa), the Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Student Association (Himateta) IPB University held a series of events with the aim of optimising the potential of Ciaruteun Ilir Village farmers through irrigation and drainage system intelligence (IDE).
This programme is part of an effort to increase the understanding of vegetable farmers in utilising technology to increase agricultural productivity through effective and efficient water management.
The enthusiasm of the farmers of Ciaruteun Ilir Village, Cibungbulang Subdistrict, Bogor Regency, West Java was evident during the irrigation and drainage intelligence programme. The event took place at Balai Rakyat Indonesia, Ciaruteun Ilir Village and was attended by 35 local vegetable farmers.
Chief of PPK Ormawa Himateta IPB University, Hairullah Rizki, in his speech said that this activity was a step for farmers to optimise agriculture in Ciaruteun Ilir Village.
“With a better understanding of irrigation and drainage, we hope the output of this activity can increase land productivity and farmers’ welfare,” he explained.
The intelligence material was delivered by Dr Liyantono, IPB University Irrigation and Drainage Expert. He explained various effective and efficient technologies in irrigation and drainage management.
The IPB University lecturer from the Department of Mechanical and Biosystem Engineering, Faculty of Agricultural Technology also invited farmers to understand the importance of good water management. This is to increase crop yields and minimise the risk of crop failure due to lack or excess water.
“The main key to increasing agricultural productivity is good water management. Proper management of irrigation and drainage systems can ensure that plants get sufficient water supply without the risk of flooding,” said Dr Liyantono.
Hairullah Rizki revealed that the enthusiasm of the farmers was evident during the question and answer session. This activity brought new enthusiasm and insight to the farmers of Ciaruteun Ilir Village, to maximise crop yields with minimal agricultural inputs.
One of the participants, Muhlis, a vegetable farmer from Kampung Pabuaran, asked, “How do I deal with excess water when I have uneven land?” According to Rizki, this problem is in line with one of the outputs of the intelligence programme conducted by the PPK Ormawa team, which is the creation of vegetable land biopores (Biyur) to overcome this problem.
“As part of the irrigation and drainage intelligence programme, we will make biopores for vegetable fields (Biyur), rainwater harvesting (Tahan), and automatic sprinkler irrigation for vegetable fields (Isola). The practice of making these real products will be adjusted to the needs of the farmer groups,” he explained. The farmer groups targeted by the programme are Mekar Tani, Tani Jaya, and Tani Raharja.
Furthermore, he elaborated, the Biyur programme will be made with the use of perforated pipes filled with organic waste and planted around the planting area or between vegetable beds. This method aims to increase water absorption.
“Meanwhile, the Tahan programme will be made like a large enough kobakan to collect rainwater so that it can be used for irrigation or washing vegetable crops. As for Isola, it is our programme for farmers’ fields that already use sprinklers that will be made automatic in their use,” Rizki explained. (*/Rz) (IAAS/RUM)
