In addressing this challenge, UGM has downstreamed the innovation of the Gadjah Mada Gogo Rancah 7 (Gamagora) rice variety into the product Presokazi Premium Rice. Professor Taryono, the lead researcher, explained that the Presokazi rice innovation is aimed at addressing nutrient deficiencies.

Nutrient deficiencies, such as iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn), in children and pregnant women can hinder children’s growth and lead to stunting. 

Rice, the Indonesian people’s staple food, offers a promising option due to its affordability and high accessibility. Presokazi rice is produced from the cultivation of the Gamagora 7 rice variety using Super Smart Fertilizer (SSF), another innovation by PIAT UGM. 

“The concept and research on biofortification, which involves enhancing the nutritional content of food through cultivation, has long been conceived, but the Presokazi rice project only began in 2023,” Professor Taryono explained on Friday (Dec. 27).

After recognizing its strategic value, a team of food researchers from the Department of Agricultural Cultivation, UGM Faculty of Agriculture, conducted the development research of Presokazi rice in collaboration with the private sector. 

The Gamagora 7 rice variety was initially developed to address climate change issues affecting farmers’ harvests. Compared to other rice types, Gamagora 7 is more resistant to environmental conditions and climate change. 

It continues to grow in dryland and rain-fed fields, proving resilient against pests such as brown planthoppers. 

Additionally, Gamagora 7 has a shorter harvest period of approximately 104 days and a potential yield of up to 9.8 tons per hectare, making it an attractive option for farmers to cultivate this nutrient-rich variety.

According to Professor Taryono, despite its original purpose, Gamagora 7 coincidentally produced high-quality, soft-textured rice that is rich in protein. 

“The use of soil conditioner from agricultural waste-based super-smart fertilizers was able to increase the iron and zinc content,” he stated. 

The research was implemented directly on community land in Klaten, Central Java, and Ngawi, East Java, leading to the idea of creating the premium rice product Presokazi.

Professor Taryono acknowledged that the process of downstream research to become a commercial product was not easy. It required high additional production costs in soil conditioning, planting, and harvesting processes. 

Significant costs were also incurred in developing the SSF fertilizer mixture. Additionally, there were challenges garnering farmers’ interest in growing Gamagora 7 rice, as it is still relatively new and unfamiliar to the public.

So far, the downstream of Gamagora 7 research has collaborated with two industries, namely PT Tunas Widji Inti Nayottama (TWINN) and PT Agri Sparta. With its various advantages and benefits in addressing agro-complex issues, Professor Taryono hopes that Presokazi rice will attract industrial interest for commercialization. 

“Several companies are interested in using the Presokazi rice development technology, and there are even private companies interested in directly marketing the rice,” he concluded.

Author: Tasya

Editor: Gusti Grehenson

Post-editor: Afif

Artikel UGM Launches Presokazi Premium Rice to Help Combat Stunting pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

These challenges include the availability of agricultural infrastructure, small-scale farming due to land conversion, climate change, uneven access to food, high food loss and waste, slow farmer regeneration, and challenges in innovation and technology dissemination. 

Indonesia needs measured, responsive, and appropriate policies to address vulnerabilities in food security.

The UGM Agrotechnology Innovation Center (PIAT UGM) is determined to contribute to the success of the nation’s food security program. 

By adopting the concept of circular farming in its daily operations, PIAT UGM has developed several interconnected agricultural business ecosystem models, creating a sustainable ecosystem. 

PIAT UGM recognizes that achieving food security requires cross-disciplinary collaboration and Penta helix partnerships involving academia, business, government, society, and media to achieve the nation’s goal of food security.

To accelerate the realization of the circular farming model and strengthen partnerships, PIAT UGM plans to hold Agrifest 2024, which will take place from Sep. 5-7, 2024, at the PIAT UGM area in Kalitirto, Berbah, Sleman, Yogyakarta. 

“Our event’s tagline is ‘Seeding Ideas, Growing Futures.’ Besides introducing PIAT UGM to the public, Agrifest 2024 is expected to be a platform to accelerate the downstream of technology and innovation in the agro-complex sector,” said Dr. Alan Soffan, Head of PIAT UGM, in an interview on Wednesday (Aug. 28).

Agrifest will span three days and feature 13 activities, including talk shows, an exhibition of technological innovations from UGM’s agro-complex faculties, visits to the Gamagora 7 rice planting demo plot, exhibitions by industrial partners and startups in the agro-complex field, Agri Jobs to connect partner companies with job seekers, a small and medium enterprise (SME) product exhibition, an orchid and ornamental plant exhibition, agrotechnology workshops, a cheap clothing bazaar, healthy exercise sessions, and visits to PIAT UGM facilities. 

“We are also collaborating with RSA UGM to offer free health checks with a quota of 100 people per day. There will also be an Inosi competition for innovative rice dishes using Gamagora 7 rice,” Dr. Soffan added.

The national talk show on the first day will address two themes: strengthening the food security program to realize the vision of Golden Indonesia 2045 and collaboration and multi-stakeholder partnerships in the agro-complex sector. 

“We will feature many speakers, including the Director of Food and Agriculture at Bappenas; Professor Jamhari, a lecturer at the UGM Faculty of Agriculture; and representatives from our partners PT Pupuk Indonesia, PT Pupuk Kujang, PT Tunas Widji Nayottama, PT Kubota Indonesia, and Janu Riyanto, one of the Gapoktan leaders in Sleman Regency who has received numerous awards,” explained Dr. Soffan, who is also a lecturer and researcher in the field of plant pests and diseases.

The second day will feature a best-practice talk show focused on educating farmers and the general public. 

“The theme is equally interesting, focusing on the strategic role of women in food security and elevating the status of farmers,” Dr. Soffan said.

He added that the second day will involve figures who have contributed significantly to community empowerment in Yogyakarta, such as Yayasan Beringin, Sekolah Pagesangan, Wondis Cokelat, PT Mitra Sejahtera Membangun Bangsa (MSMB), and Agradaya. 

On the second day, workshops will also be held, during which participants can practice the materials provided by the speakers, such as making compost, liquid organic fertilizer (POC), and koro tempeh. 

The third day will conclude with a joint exercise session, an innovative rice dish competition, and an orchid auction.

Author: Triya Andriyani

Photo: PIAT UGM

Artikel UGM to Host Agricultural Technology Innovation Exhibition at Agrifest 2024 pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

One manifestation of this commitment is the continuous contribution to increasing the number of farmers using Gamagora 7 rice, a rice variety developed by UGM researchers so that it becomes more widely recognized by the public. 

Dubbed an amphibious variety because it can be planted in rainfed drylands and paddy fields, Gamagora 7 is characterized by its suitability as an appropriate technology for tackling pests, diseases, and climate change in crop farming. 

In 2023, Gamagora 7 successfully passed market trials at nine locations in Central and East Java. Through collaboration with various parties, including the Directorate General of Plantations Ministry of Agriculture, it is now being introduced to other regions.

To optimize palm oil plantation land and increase the expansion of food crops, the Ministry of Agriculture, through the Directorate General of Plantations, has implemented the Palm Oil Intercropping with Food Crops Program (Kesatria), focusing on planting upland rice among palm oil plants. 

In line with this, as a commitment to achieving food self-sufficiency, on Wednesday (May 22), UGM delivered 400 kilograms of Gamagora 7 rice seeds to farmers in Serang City, Banten Province, through the Banten Agricultural Standards Implementation Agency (BPSIP). 

The ceremonial handover was conducted at the BPSIP Banten building, attended by the Strategic Management Bureau and the Agrotechnology Innovation Center (PIAT UGM) representing UGM, and was received directly by the Secretary of the Directorate General of Plantations, Heru Tri Widarto.

UGM Strategic Management Bureau Head, Dr. Wirastuti Widyatmanti, expressed her appreciation and gratitude to the Directorate General of Plantations for the opportunity to distribute Gamagora 7 rice seeds to farmers in Banten. 

“Gamagora 7 is the result of the hard work of researchers to produce a superior variety with a production potential of up to 9.80 tons per hectare,” said Dr. Widyatmanti.

She added that with an average yield of approximately 7.95 tons per hectare and a shorter harvest period compared to other varieties, Gamagora 7 is expected to improve the welfare of farmers in Serang, Banten.

Heru Tri Widarto, who also serves as the Regional Task Force Coordinator for Food Emergency in Banten Province, stated that the seed aid is being provided according to the directives of the Minister of Agriculture and the Director General of Plantations to support the expansion of food crop areas, particularly upland rice, in Banten Province. 

“This seed aid of Gamagora 7 is the first in Banten, and we highly appreciate UGM,” he said.

Heru Widarto added that several farmer groups plan to plant the seed aid in Serang Regency, Tangerang Regency, and other plantation areas. Utilizing plantation land for food crops can meet the community’s food needs and ensure food security in the future, significantly increasing farmers’ incomes.

Head of BPSIP Banten, Dr. Ismatul Hidayah, said that the Gamagora 7 rice seed aid would be highly beneficial for farmers in Banten Province, as awareness of using certified seeds is already very high. 

“Farmers’ knowledge of certified seeds is good, but we struggle to meet seed requests that sometimes reach 40 tons, while our seed production is no more than that,” he explained.

Dr. Hidayah stated that Gamagora 7 rice seeds would be planted on 3 hectares of land in May and gradually on 5 hectares in June. This initial phase of planting Gamagora 7 seeds aims to produce rice and increase the agricultural potential in and around Banten Province.

Author: Triya Andriyani

Photo: Ministry of Agriculture

Artikel UGM Supports Agriculture Ministry Program, Delivers 400 Kilograms of Gamagora 7 Rice Seeds pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

Various types of orchids from the PIAT UGM collection and eight orchid enthusiast communities in Yogyakarta were featured. This year’s orchid festival was enlivened with activities such as an orchid auction, a coloring contest, and a talk show.

The festival, themed “Mindfulness in Orchid Business: Finding Peace Through Plant Cultivation,” also launched the “Nganggrek nang Kampus” program. 

This program represents a commitment from PIAT UGM and orchid enthusiast communities to collaborate on orchid cultivation through training and exhibitions and to promote orchid diversity to the public regularly and periodically. 

The ceremony was symbolically carried out by collectively raising orchids by the Secretary of UGM, Dr. Andi Sandi Antonius Tabusassa Tonralipu; Head of PIAT UGM, Dr. Alan Soffan; and representatives from the Biology’s Orchid Study Club (BiOSC), and Kagama Orchid.

Dr. Andi Sandi Antonius Tabusassa Tonralipu stated that the orchid festival, which is part of the re-opening of the PIAT UGM orchid garden, is a concrete step by the university to conduct activities outside of academic pursuits that positively impact the community. 

“The hope is that after this, PIAT UGM can become a discussion hub for developing orchids in terms of their beauty, as they can be used for self-healing therapy and research into new varieties. This innovation needs to be strengthened,” said Dr. Tonralipu.

The secretary added that the results of orchid research need to be incubated and disseminated to the community, as orchids are a commodity with good prospects for continued cultivation. 

“Let’s all collaborate so that orchids can become an economic driver, not just for individuals and communities, but also nationally,” he concluded.

Dr. Alan Soffan explained that the orchid festival would become an annual event, continuing to involve communities because PIAT UGM, as a university representative, positions itself as a hub or center for activities carrying the mission of the university’s tri dharma (three principles). 

“This orchid festival will be an annual event, and in October, we plan to hold another exhibition with the orchid communities,” said Dr. Soffan.

He added that PIAT UGM’s strong foundation in research and education led to the choice to collaborate with communities. The strengthening of the downstream or business model will be carried out with the communities. Dr. Soffan hopes this collaboration will bring broader benefits to society.

In the talk show titled “Mindfulness in Orchid Business,” PIAT UGM featured three speakers: Aries Bagus Sasongko from the Faculty of Biology, Ricky Setiaji Nugraha from Agri Orchids, and Syafni Sukmana from the Indonesian Association of Landscape Architecture. 

The three speakers shared best practices on orchid cultivation and care techniques, tips for starting a successful business, empirical studies explaining the positive correlation between gardening or horticultural therapy activities and mental health, and the use of orchid plants from a landscape architecture perspective.

Author: Triya Andriyani

Editor: Gusti Grehenson

Photographer: Firsto

Artikel Hundreds of Orchids Exhibited at PIAT UGM pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

Unfortunately, the existence of these plants, which have the potential to be developed into biomedicine, is increasingly threatened due to land conversion, natural disasters, and theft. Therefore, efforts are needed to conserve orchids in situ and ex-situ.

Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) continues to focus on orchid conservation through its research and community service activities. 

This includes research on propagating orchid seedlings via tissue culture technology and ex-situ conservation of native orchids through the orchid garden located at the UGM Agrotechnology Innovation Center (PIAT UGM) in Berbah, Sleman.

As a flower with the title of the nation’s enchanting flora, orchids are now widely regarded and have significant business potential. 

This business potential is very promising, making it reasonable for many ornamental plant enthusiasts to start orchid cultivation businesses. With its extensive collection and mission to inform, introduce, and educate the public about various types of orchids,

PIAT UGM plans to hold its first Orchid Festival at the PIAT UGM Orchid Garden on Saturday, May 18, 2024. The festival will run from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM and showcase PIAT’s orchid collection. 

It will also host an orchid auction with contributions from PIAT’s partner communities, including AKM Garden, Kusuma Plant, Palagan Orchids, Angkasa Orchids, Opak Anggrek, Kebun Kita, and Agri Orchids.

Dr. Alan Soffan, Head of PIAT UGM, explained to reporters on Thursday (May 16) that the purpose of holding the PIAT Orchid Festival is to introduce orchids as an alternative business and mental healing medium, presented as the re-opening of the PIAT Orchid Garden. 

“We often see many people already cultivating orchids at home. The beauty and uniqueness of orchids are believed to be a stress reliever for enthusiasts, thus supporting self-healing for mental health,” he said.

Dr. Soffan added that, in addition to the orchid auction, the festival activities will include a talk show with the theme “Mindfulness in Orchid Business: Finding Peace Through Plant Cultivation” and a coloring contest for kindergarten and first to third-grade elementary students. 

The talk show will feature UGM academics, orchid businesspeople, and practitioners from the Indonesian Association of Landscape Architects.

Dr. Soffan hopes that the PIAT Orchid Festival can become a unique attraction by introducing orchids, which can be enjoyed as ornamental plants and serve as a means of education and mental tranquility.

Author: Triya Andriyani

Editor: Gusti Grehenson

Artikel UGM UGM Agrotechnology Innovation Center to Hold Orchid Festival pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

This agreement was reached during a meeting on Friday (May 3) at the UGM Central Office between representatives of PT Ciomas Adisatwa–Japfa Group and the leadership of the UGM Faculty of Animal Science (Animal Science UGM), the UGM Directorate of Business Development, and the Agrotechnology Innovation Center (PIAT UGM).

Dr. Hargo Utomo, Director of Business Development, stated that this expanded collaboration between UGM and Ciomas Adisatwa will enhance students’ knowledge and skills through the development of a teaching farm and teaching industry at the PIAT UGM area located in Berbah, Sleman. 

“The development of a teaching farm and teaching industry can later be used as a learning model by Animal Science UGM. PIAT, as a showcase, will become a place for experimenting with professional poultry farming management from upstream to downstream,” Dr. Utomo explained.

He added that the plotting area for the teaching farm will be adjusted according to PIAT’s development plans, which will position it as a hub for inter-faculty agro-complex activities at UGM. Nevertheless, the development of the teaching farm will still accommodate Ciomas Adisatwa’s business interests without disrupting the ongoing daily operations.

Awan Setiawan, Head of Human Resources and General Affairs at PT Ciomas Adisatwa–Japfa Group, explained that the existing conditions of the poultry slaughterhouse do not allow for the construction of a poultry farming area at the same location. 

This is due to the requirements and permits requested by end-user consumers, which stipulate that the farming and processing areas must be at a certain distance from each other. 

“We hope that further discussions regarding the layout blueprint of PIAT’s development will lead to a win-win solution. If necessary, we are ready to develop a teaching farm using solar panels to improve energy efficiency,” said Setiawan.

Collaboration between UGM and PT Ciomas Adisatwa has been ongoing since 2003 when two poultry houses were constructed at Animal Science UGM. This cooperation continued until 2015, when a post-harvest laboratory for the livestock industry and a poultry slaughterhouse were established at PIAT.

Professor Budi Guntoro, Dean of Animal Science UGM, revealed that this established collaboration has significant benefits for his faculty, especially for internship programs, practicums, and industrial visits offered by partners to students. 

“I believe this teaching farm can become a venue for gaining relevant practical knowledge and experience for the workforce,” he stated.

This collaboration also provides lecturers with opportunities to develop their research through mini-industrial-scale laboratories. Dean Guntoro hopes that this cooperation will continue, thus providing broad benefits, particularly concerning food security for the community.

Author: Triya Andriyani

Editor: Gusti Grehenson

Artikel UGM and Ciomas Adisatwa Agree to Develop Teaching Industry pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

The fertile harvest, cultivated on a 1.5-hectare expanse owned by residents in Guyung Village, Ngawi Regency, yielded an impressive 9.6 tons of dry rice per hectare.

Gamagora 7, a mutation stemming from radiation on Rajalele Klaten rice within the Indica group, boasts stellar characteristics conducive to climate adaptability. This innovative strain can be successfully cultivated both in the dry season and rain-fed regions. 

Moreover, it showcases resilience against brown planthoppers, bacterial leaf blight pathotype III, and blast diseases featuring races 033, 073, and 133. With these advantages, Gamagora 7 emerges as a stalwart supporter of achieving food sovereignty in the nation.

This groundbreaking variety represents the fruition of the Innovation Grant from the PrimeStep Program, steered by the UGM Directorate of Business Development. 

Developed by adept researchers at the Agrotechnology Innovation Center (PIAT) of UGM, Gamagora 7 is the third variety officially released by UGM. The Ministry of Agriculture granted release permits for this innovative strain in March 2023. 

It underwent rigorous testing in rice fields spanning various locales in Central Java and East Java. Ngawi became a testament to this collaborative cultivation, made possible through a partnership involving UGM, Agrisparta, WIM, Ngawi Regency Government, and the Bina Sparta farmer group.

Professor Mirwan Ushada, the UGM Director of Research, underscored that Gamagora 7 by UGM researchers is a testament to the university’s commitment to bolstering national food sovereignty. However, he emphasized that pursuing such lofty goals necessitates collaborative endeavors. 

“Food sovereignty is a concern for UGM, but this cannot be done alone, so the key is collaboration involving many parties,” Professor Ushada affirmed during the festive harvest gathering in Ngawi on Thursday (Dec. 21).

In this spirit of collaboration, UGM invites various stakeholders to join forces in the ongoing development and cultivation of Gamagora 7. This outreach aims to usher in a future where UGM’s research products deliver tangible benefits to communities far and wide.

Professor Taryono, the researcher behind Gamagora 7, expressed optimism about the potential societal impact of this rice variety. Beyond fortifying UGM’s mission of championing national food sovereignty, he envisioned that Gamagora 7 could empower the communities that cultivate it. 

“The hope is that Gamagora 7 rice will not only support UGM’s mission in supporting national food sovereignty but can also empower the communities who cultivate it,” he stated.

Eka Srirahayu, the Head of the Ngawi Regency Food Security and Agriculture Office, extended heartfelt gratitude for the collaborative venture in cultivating Gamagora rice in Ngawi. She harbored hopes that UGM’s research could elevate the welfare of the Ngawi populace. 

“We highly appreciate the development and cultivation of Gamagora 7 in Ngawi. With this new variety with high economic value, it is hoped that it can attract more farmers to cultivate it and improve their welfare,” she conveyed.

In Ngawi, most farmers currently cultivate the Inpari 3 rice variety. However, with the arrival of Gamagora 7, it emerges as a compelling alternative for the residents of Ngawi. 

“Gamagora 7 has been successfully cultivated in the dry season. The challenge in the future is to test it here during the wet season,” shared Srirahayu.

Agri Sparta, a strategic collaborator with UGM, attested to the resilience of Gamagora 7 against varying weather conditions. Yaser Hadi Putra, the Agri Sparta CTO, expressed optimism about the potential impact of this rice variety, especially its remarkable resistance to diverse weather conditions. 

Cultivated during the dry season, it yielded 9.6 tons of dry rice per hectare. This collaborative cultivation, supported by the Bina Sparta farmer group in Ngawi, leveraged agricultural mechanization and technology.

“This Gamagora 7 rice is very promising, especially in its resistance to weather conditions. Hopefully, this variety can broadly impact the community,” Yaser Hadi Putra said.

Sumino, the Head of Guyung Village, shared the cultivation landscape in Ngawi, where six varieties adorn seven hectares of residents’ land. Gamagora 7 debuted in the region in September 2023 on a 1.5-hectare expanse. 

From the outset, there were high expectations that this variety could deliver optimal results and usher in direct benefits for the residents. The harvest results not only met but exceeded these expectations.

“The harvest results are good. Hopefully, it can continue to be cultivated in Ngawi,” he explained.

Author: Ika

Photographer: Firsto

Artikel UGM Celebrates First Harvest of Gamagora 7 Rice in Ngawi pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

The results show that this fertilizer can increase tea shoot production up to threefold.

“Trials have been carried out in two areas, namely in the Pagilaran and Kalilandak sections. There has been a significant increase from two harvests, with the highest reaching 320 percent,” said Aji Prasetyo, an Assistant Manager at Pagilaran Production Unit, on Saturday (November 18).

He explained that the production increase varies in the tested areas due to differences in location altitude, plant age, and other factors. Nevertheless, the overall production in all regions shows an increasing trend. 

The testing of the quality of the tea produced also shows positive results. Tea production reached 1,800 kg of shoots per hectare in one area for a single harvest.

Two types of SSF, solid and liquid, have been applied in the Pagilaran Production Unit plantation. According to plantation workers, the impact of this fertilizer can be observed significantly in various testing locations.

“In the field, initially, many doubted it, but the data can prove it, and visually, it does look different; for example, the maintenance leaves become shinier,” added Heru Susanto, another Assistant Manager at Pagilaran Production Unit.

Agricultural Product Innovation

SSF is one of the innovations developed by the Head of the UGM Agrotechnology Center, Professor Taryono. This fertilizer is made from compost, biochar, chicken feather hydrolysate, and inorganic fertilizer, with a composition adjusted for each crop type. 

Before being developed for tea, SSF had previously been used on rice and corn crops, with positive results as well.

“The SSF manufacturing has been around for a long time, but it was only applied to the Pagilaran tea plantation in May,” Professor Taryono explained.

He further explained that the application of SSF in the Pagilaran tea plantation during the testing process was still below the recommended dosage. 

With positive results obtained in the first six months, Professor Taryono is optimistic that this product can be a solution for PT Pagilaran to increase the production of high-quality tea that can be exported to various countries. 

He hopes that with an increase in the dosage of fertilizer in the next planting period, production results can continue to be increased to the maximum quantity.

“Hopefully, next year, we can adjust the dosage according to recommendations for use in almost all plantations, especially in the Pagilaran Production Unit. Hopefully, it can benefit PT Pagilaran,” said Professor Taryono.

Author: Gloria

Photographer: Firsto

Artikel UGM Launches Super Smart Fertilizer, Increases Tea Production Up to Threefold pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

Professor Taryono, the Head of the UGM Agrotechnology Innovation Center, stated that Gamagora 7 stands for Gadjah Mada Gogo Rancah 7. The variety is also dubbed ‘amphibious’ rice due to its superior adaptive characteristics in response to climate change.

For the trial in Central Java, the planting of Gamagora 7 was done in collaboration with local governments. In East Java, it was carried out in partnership with an agribusiness company, Agri Sparta.

“Gamagora 7 is the third variety launched by UGM. It received the release permit from the Ministry of Agriculture on March 28, 2023,” said Professor Taryono during the visit to the market testing location for Gamagora 7 in Ngawi on Wednesday (November 1).

He explained that the research to obtain sturdy seeds for dry and wet fields began in 2006. The Gamagora 7 variety originates from the Rajalele rice in Klaten. Hence, it possesses the same quality, shape, and taste as Rajalele.

“The research’s goal from the beginning was to assemble rice that could be planted in rain-fed and paddy fields to cope with climate change and the impact of land use changes,” Professor Taryono said.

“For Gamagora 7, it has undergone multi-location trials in both paddy fields and rain-fed areas in several regions.”

He added that besides being suitable for planting in both fields, Gamagora 7 is resistant to brown planthopper biotype 2, leaf blight pathotype III, and blast diseases races 033, 073, and 133. 

The plant’s life cycle is shorter than other varieties, i.e., 104 days from planting to harvest. Data from several regions that have completed harvesting indicated an average yield potential of 7.95 tons per hectare with a maximum potential of 9.8 tons of harvested dry rice.

As a type of rice suitable for the dry season and rain-fed areas, which doesn’t require excessive water and fertilizers during planting, Gamagora 7 gives hope to many farmers. 

With its various advantages, Professor Taryono hopes that Gamagora 7 will contribute to realizing Indonesia’s food sovereignty.

Gemin Sini, a farmer from Guyung Village, Ngawi Regency, has high hopes for the Gamagora 7 rice variety. When showing the 55-day-old Gamagora 7 rice plants, he expressed confidence in a good harvest.

The Gamagora 7 seedlings were planted on his 1.5-hectare land. His 55-day-old Gamagora 7 rice plants showed denser tillers compared to IR 32 rice also grown in the same area.

“Gamagora 7 is good; it has many tillers and grows fast, quicker than the others. It’s different from IR; it has a lot of tillers, and within less than 25 days, it’s already full. Usually, at 25 days, you can still see the gaps,” Gemin Sini said.

Author: Agung Nugroho

Photographer: Donnie

Artikel UGM’s Climate-Resilient Gamagora 7 Rice Variety Undergoes Market Testing in East Java pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

“During my 13 years as an evaluator, more than a hundred seed producers have emerged and released 400 to 500 new varieties of horticultural plants, with about 60-70 percent being vegetables,” Professor Aziz Purwantoro told reporters after conducting a Best Practice in Plant Breeding training at the UGM Agrotechnology Innovation Center (PIAT) in Berbah, Sleman, Yogyakarta, on Thursday (September 21).

Professor Purwantoro mentioned that most seed producers are dominated by Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (UMKM) entrepreneurs, most of whom have long been involved in companies engaged in agriculture. 

“They are willing to engage in agriculture because the seed industry does not require large capital. They usually come from companies and at least understand the marketing aspect,” Professor Purwantoro explained.

The professor said the horticultural seed industry is a promising agricultural business sector. 

“In agriculture, the seed industry is the most significant. Just one kilogram of seeds can be sold for hundreds of thousands of rupiahs,” Professor Purwantoro added.

The new varieties released by seed producers are mostly vegetable crops like chili, eggplant, shallots, and others. For fruit crops, there are melons and watermelons. 

“For tree-shaped fruit plants, they are usually recognized by those working with the owners,” he said.

He added that developing new horticultural plant varieties takes 3-4 years. 

“Sometimes it can be just two years because vegetables can be harvested in about 3-4 months. Generally, these new varieties have advantages such as higher production or resistance to pests,” Professor Purwantoro said.

Professor Taryono, the Head of the UGM Agrotechnology Innovation Center and a plant breeder from the UGM Faculty of Agriculture, emphasized that every new variety released to the public should add value to agricultural products and have advantages over similar crops. 

“There must be something different in terms of its superiority so that we have a wealth of genetic resources,” he stated.

Mulyono Herlambang, a seed industry entrepreneur, mentioned that most agricultural seeds in Indonesia are still imported, so he believes that the government needs to continue to encourage the growth and development of the seed industry. Breeding technology aims to obtain highly productive and quality varieties. 

“High productivity will sell in the market,” Herlambang expressed.

He added that a breeder must be discerning to achieve plant variety performance that excels in quality and quantity, is resistant to pests and diseases, can withstand extreme weather conditions, and contains specific substances such as vitamins. 

“The breeder’s task is to fill and be able to cross the most dominant advantage of one type of plant,” Herlambang said.

Author: Gusti Grehenson

Artikel Indonesia’s Horticulture Seed Industry Flourishing with New Varieties pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.