Empowering Farmers Around the Campus, IPB University Collaborates with Experts to Reveal the Secrets of Miki and Siger Avocado Cultivation
The series of activities of the IPB University Avocado School, which began last August, was successfully completed on Tuesday (10/7). This program was initiated by the Directorate of Agromaritime Development (DPMA IPB University), as part of the Young Agripreneur Camp (YAC).
A total of 30 participants, consisting of farmers around the campus, students, and alumni of IPB University, took part in six intensive training sessions that thoroughly explored the cultivation of miki and siger avocados, two of Indonesia’s leading local varieties.
This series of meetings featured Eflin Sirait, an expert in miki avocado development. This session provided participants with an opportunity to understand the history of avocado development as a local cultivar that is beginning to gain global recognition.
Next, participants were invited to understand the principles of optimal fertilization and pest and disease identification, as well as to participate in hands-on practice at the IPB University Agribusiness and Technology Park (ATP) avocado plantation, together with Deni Suherlan and Muhammad Arief Sabyan from PT Perkebunan Buah Subang.
Meanwhile, the material on propagation was delivered directly by avocado seedling practitioner Sigit Pramono. “Through top working, participants learn how to effectively replace old, less productive varieties with superior varieties,” said Sigit after delivering the material during the field study session.
He added that scions should be taken from productive plants with high vigor. The grafting stage, he said, is the key to seedling success.
Not only in terms of cultivation, the Avocado School also equipped participants in the fields of business and marketing. The marketing material was delivered directly by Marketing Managers Burhanuddin and Tri Wahyudi at the Siger Avocado Marketing Office in South Jakarta.
“I am very happy to see Siger and local avocados, and I gained a lot of new knowledge from Mr Wahyudi. Hopefully, in the future, I can develop Siger avocados in Bogor Regency,” said Muhadi, one of the farmers and participants of the Avocado School.
Participants were also introduced to the innovation of frozen avocados as a solution to extend shelf life, as well as opportunities for collaboration in seed supply and fresh fruit supply. To conclude, the Research and Development (RnD) team from Kafe Sobatani invited participants to demonstrate their creations of avocado-based drinks inspired by Siger avocados.
“Siger avocados can be combined with ingredients such as coffee, chocolate, palm sugar, cream, and milk to produce new cafe-style drinks. Through this activity, we want to inspire participants to continue innovating and developing products with high economic value,” said Rafly, a resource person and member of the RnD team at Kafe Sobatani.
Although the series of activities has concluded, the DPMA of IPB University reaffirmed its commitment to remain open to collaboration and support for communities interested in developing avocado cultivation in their regions. (*/Rz) (IAAS/LAN)
