IPB University’s TEP Introduces Smart Farming Technology to Students at Merauke State Vocational High School 4 for Forestry and Plantation Studies
The IPB University Patriot Expedition Team, in collaboration with the 801st Territorial Development Infantry Battalion (Yonif)/Nduka Adyatama Yudha, conducted training, mentoring, and field trips to introduce various modern agricultural technology applications to teachers and students at Merauke State Vocational High School 4 for Forestry and Plantation.
This initiative is part of efforts to strengthen high caliber human resources (HR) in South Papua by introducing agricultural technologies and innovations that can support the development of young people’s competencies in the fields of agriculture, plantations, and forestry.
The IPB University Patriot Expedition Team (TEP) is led by Supriyanto, PhD, and Lilis Sucahyo, STP, MKom, lecturers at the Faculty of Engineering and Technology, with members Tedi Zulia Putra, SHut, An Husaini Hadiarrahman, STrBns, M Zulham Azhar Maghfirah H, ST, Ifa Khofifah, SSi, and Kuzaima Taqiyya Azqa Nabila Faza, SP.
As facilitators, the team introduced mapping and data collection technologies using drones, as well as agricultural cultivation machinery, harvesting machines, drone sprayers, automatic weather stations (AWS), and various cutting-edge technologies in the field of agriculture.
Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Agung Pudhi Riyadi stated in his presentation, “Merauke has great agricultural potential and vast expanses of rice fields in a single area; this presents both opportunities and challenges in terms of management.
Agricultural technology plays a crucial role in supporting the food self sufficiency initiative launched by the President of the Republic of Indonesia.”
Lilis Sucahyo added, “Modern agricultural mechanization technology is one of the main pillars of agricultural development in Merauke as the national food basket in the easternmost region of Indonesia.”
He also emphasized the importance of students’ role in meeting the demand for skilled labor in the fields of agriculture, plantations, and forestry. According to her, mastering technology is one of the key competencies that must be cultivated early on so that the younger generation can adapt to developments in the modern agricultural sector.
Meanwhile, Supriyanto also stated, “The young generation of Papua, particularly students at Merauke State Vocational High School 4 for Forestry and Plantation must have aspirations, motivation, and a strong work ethic for the future of agriculture in South Papua, as the national food basket in the eastern region.”
On that occasion, Supriyanto also emphasized the importance of indigenous Papuan youth, both indigenous Papuans (OAP) and descendants of transmigrants, pursuing higher education to broaden their knowledge, experience, and skills, which can support the development of the region’s potential.
Through this series of training and mentoring sessions, students at Merauke State Vocational High School 4 for Forestry and Plantation are expected to gain a deeper understanding of the application of modern agricultural technology and acquire relevant knowledge and skills in the fields of agriculture, plantation, and forestry. (*/Rz) (IAAS/HLF)
