This rice is currently being promoted to the public in various regions. The UGM Agrotechnology Innovation Center (PIAT UGM) organized the Gamagora Rice Dish Innovation Competition (Inosi) to further introduce it to the community. 

PIAT UGM developed Gamagora rice to address climate change challenges. Its advantages over other rice varieties include its ability to thrive in rainfed conditions, its resilience against pests, and its reduced need for fertilizers and water.

Chair of the Inosi Committee, Wawan Sarwanto, stated that the Gamagora rice dish competition was intended to help the public become familiar with and creatively prepare Gamagora rice in innovative food dishes made by participants.

The rice dish competition participants showcased their creativity by preparing various dishes using Gamagora rice. The results showed that Gamagora rice could be transformed into various culinary delights. 

The Nawasena team from the Culinary Department of Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (UNY) presented their creation: rice brownies. 

“The rice we used was frozen, then ground until its texture resembled coconut flour. So, aside from being delicious, these brownies are also gluten-free and low in sugar,” explained Helma, a member of the Nawasena team, during the Agrifest 2024 closing ceremony at the PIAT UGM complex in Kalitirto, Berbah, Sleman, on Saturday (Sep. 7).

In contrast, the UGM Center for Environmental Studies (PSLH UGM) presented their dish: Gamagora Hainanese rice. The PSLH UGM team combined Indonesian, Chinese, and European culinary influences. 

The Hainanese rice was served with creamy mushroom sauce and fried gendar (a rice cracker) coated in breadcrumbs resembling nuggets. Indha Marta Raharja, a representative of the PSLH team, expressed her joy in participating in the Inosi competition at Agrifest 2024. 

“We are delighted to be part of Agrifest 2024. We hope this event will continue and expand,” said Raharja.

In addition to the Inosi competition, PIAT UGM distributed agricultural and livestock products to the public as door prizes. These products included eggs, chickens, rice, and milk, all produced by UGM’s agro-complex cluster. 

The event also invited all UGM faculties in the agro-complex cluster and MSMEs to participate in the exhibition. More than 20 exhibition booths were available to visit, and MSME partners from the local community provided food and beverages.

PIAT UGM organized Agrifest 2024 as part of UGM’s 75th anniversary celebration. This event, a platform for creativity within the agrocomplex cluster, was held from Sep. 5-7, 2024, in collaboration with MSME partners and the community. 

The event officially concluded on Saturday (Sep. 7) at PIAT UGM, Berbah District, Sleman, Yogyakarta, with a lively celebration.

Agrifest 2024’s theme was “Seeding Ideas, Growing Future: Adapting to Technological Disruption in the Agricultural Sector to Achieve National Food Security,” emphasizing agricultural adaptation through technology. 

The event featured various exciting activities, such as agrotechnology talk shows, agrotechnology innovation exhibitions, agricultural demonstration plots, and the Inosi competition. 

The local community and farmer groups enthusiastically supported all activities aimed at improving farming competence and efficiency.

UGM Rector Professor Ova Emilia attended the Agrifest 2024 closing ceremony and expressed her support for the event, which she regarded as one of UGM’s contributions to increasing public literacy on agro-complex matters. 

Professor Emilia hoped that the public would understand the importance of nutrition in food, not just in its production. Agrifest 2024 is expected to highlight the importance of agricultural sector development to achieve sustainable national food security.

Author: Tasya

Editor: Gusti Grehenson

Post-editor: Afif

Artikel Gamagora Rice Dish Competition Enlivens Agrifest 2024 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.

According to Taufieq Hidayat, Head of the West Nusa Tenggara Agriculture and Plantation Office, the Gamagora rice developed by UGM was harvested precisely at 90 days. 

“The harvest age is exactly 90 days,” he said.

Hidayat added that this rice variety was planted on a plot of 2.5 x 2.5 meters, and the harvest yielded 7.6 kilograms of dry grain, with a production rate of around 12 tons per hectare.

Professor Taryono mentioned that Gamagora has previously been successfully planted in various regions across Indonesia, in addition to Lombok, when contacted by reporters on Monday (Aug. 19).

“Gamagora has been successfully planted in the Special Region of Yogyakarta, Central Java, East Java, West Java, Bali, and West Nusa Tenggara,” explained Professor Taryono, the inventor of Gamagora.

The UGM Faculty of Agriculture professor added that a seed provision partnership has been established with PT Tunas Widji Inti Nayottama (TWINN), enabling Gamagora 7 seeds to be planted in larger and more widespread areas across several provinces. 

“I hope that Gamagora will continue to develop, gain more interest from farmers, and soon produce other variants of Gamagora,” he stated.

Gamagora is a rice variety developed to address Indonesia’s rice production decline due to global climate change phenomena such as El Niño and La Niña. It also addresses the conversion of rice fields to non-agricultural land, which has reached 96,512 hectares per year. 

Named Gamagora 7, this rice boasts high production yields, resistance to brown planthopper pests and diseases, and is amphibious, meaning it can be planted in paddy fields and rainfed lands. Gamagora rice also has a production potential of up to 9.8 tons per hectare.

Author: Leony

Editor: Gusti Grehenson

Photo: Antara

Artikel UGM and Bank Indonesia Harvest First Batch of Gamagora Rice in Central Lombok pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

Enggano Island, one of Indonesia’s outermost small islands in Bengkulu Province, has been designated by the Governor of Bengkulu as a field laboratory for the tri-dharma (three pillars) of higher education.

For the first time, the superior rice variety Gamagora, developed by UGM researchers, was planted on Enggano Island, one of Indonesia’s outermost islands, in support of the food sovereignty program. 

The planting of Gamagora rice is part of the collaborative Community Service Program (KKN) between Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) and Universitas Bengkulu, titled “Development of Creative Economy, Food Sovereignty, Tourism, and Local Culture on Enggano Island.”

UGM’s Vice-Rector for Education and Research, Professor Wening Udasmoro, stated that the distribution of seeds and the planting of Gamagora rice is aimed at supporting food sovereignty on Indonesia’s outermost islands. 

The rice variety, developed by UGM researchers, is known for its ability to thrive in irrigated and rain-fed fields with limited water resources. 

“Gamagora is a new rice variety that can adapt to climate change, aligning with sustainable development goals to contribute to climate change mitigation,” Professor Udasmoro explained in a statement sent to reporters on Wednesday (Aug. 14).

Professor Udasmoro also highlighted that Gamagora rice had been proven resistant to various pests and diseases. This advantage raises hopes for realizing Indonesia’s food sovereignty and supporting efforts to eradicate poverty and end hunger.

Meanwhile, UGM’s Vice-Rector for Planning, Assets, and Information Systems, Dr. Arief Setiawan Budi Nugroho, noted that infrastructure on Enggano Island has developed rapidly and significantly, providing a solid foundation for enhancing community productivity and facilitating residents’ mobility and logistics in support of food self-sufficiency. 

However, he added, additional supporting infrastructure, such as transportation facilities for access to and from Enggano Island, is still needed. 

“Overall, I see that the local government’s commitment is evident through the construction of roads, ports, airports, and communication networks,” Dr. Nugroho said.

Dr. Hatma Suryatmojo, a field supervisor for the collaborative KKN, emphasized that this program encourages students to think critically and seek solutions to field problems by applying various research findings from universities in the community.

He mentioned that UGM provided 20 kilograms of Gamagora seeds to be planted in the rice fields of Enggano Island, which have limited water resources and are highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. The high productivity of Gamagora rice, which can reach 8-10 tons per hectare, offers new hope for agriculture on Enggano Island.

According to him, UGM’s provision of superior Gamagora rice seeds to the people of Enggano Island holds significant strategic value in enhancing food security and reducing the community’s reliance on supplies from outside the island. 

“Given Enggano Island’s isolated geography and frequent disruptions due to extreme weather, the presence of a superior rice variety that is adaptive to local conditions will increase local agricultural productivity,” Dr. Suryatmojo said.

Mayong, as he is affectionately known, added that the distribution of Gamagora rice is expected to reduce the risk of food shortages during logistical distribution disruptions and strengthen food self-sufficiency on Enggano Island. 

“In the long run, this will enhance social and economic stability and lead to the realization of food sovereignty on Enggano Island,” he explained.

The positive impact expected for the people of Enggano Island includes improved welfare through higher and more stable harvest yields. With better harvests, the community can meet its own food needs and create a surplus that can be sold for additional income.

Additionally, a well-adapted superior rice variety will reduce pressure on agricultural land and local natural resources, as higher productivity allows the same land to produce more food without significantly expanding the agricultural area. 

“We hope that our efforts will also positively impact environmental conservation on Enggano Island,” he concluded.

Author: Gusti Grehenson

Artikel Supporting Food Sovereignty, UGM Plants Gamagora Rice on Enggano Island pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

The MoU was signed by UGM Rector Professor Ova Emilia and PT Pupuk Iskandar Muda (PIM) President Director Budi Santoso Syarif.

Rector Emilia stated that the university will encourage research and innovation cooperation between the two parties. 

She noted that UGM’s advantage as a university with comprehensive knowledge could be leveraged for research development relevant to PIM’s needs. 

“Moreover, UGM currently has the Gamagora program, which aligns with this collaboration,” she explained.

Rector Emilia mentioned that cooperation with PIM has been established since 2016. Therefore, she hopes this partnership will continue to grow alongside ongoing innovations. 

“UGM highly hopes that this partnership will develop and progress together, ultimately resulting in contributions that advance Indonesia,” she clarified.

One of the collaborations that UGM and PIM are now ready to implement is implementing a forest restoration program around the new capital city (IKN) to ensure water reserves beneath it. 

“This idea has already been communicated to the Minister of Environment and Forestry and has been agreed upon. I believe PIM will be able to collaborate in this restoration,” said Rector Emilia.

During the event, the rector emphasized that UGM is open to broadening cooperation with PIM through various UGM faculties, programs, and study centers, formalized in a Cooperation Agreement (PKS) as an extension of this MoU.

Meanwhile, Budi Santoso Syarif, President Director of PT Pupuk Iskandar Muda, stated in his address that the company is committed to becoming competitive in fertilizer production and marketing. 

He also explained that PIM has produced various fertilizers such as urea, NPK, ammonia, and hydrogen peroxide. 

“We chose UGM because we see excellent human resources here and need to enhance our human resources. We hope that students can also be involved in our projects,” he added.

The Senior Vice President of Human Resources at PIM and his team were present at the event alongside the UGM team: the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, the Director of Partnerships and Global Relations, the Head of Domestic Cooperation, the Deputy Dean of the UGM Faculty of Economics and Business, representatives from the UGM Faculty of Biology, the Directorate of Education and Teaching, the Directorate of Research, and the Faculty of Agriculture.

Author: Lintang

Editor: Gusti Grehenson

Photographer: Donnie

Post-editor: Lintang

Artikel UGM and PT Pupuk Iskandar Muda Agree to Collaborate pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

This inaugural planting of the new rice variety, developed by UGM researchers, is a collaborative effort with Bulog Klaten, Agri Sparta startup, the Klaten Food Security and Agriculture Office (DKPP), and Karangwungu Farming Group.

Professor Taryono from the UGM Faculty of Agriculture (Agriculture UGM) explained that rice planting results from a Penta helix collaboration to support sustainable agriculture through modern, low-carbon-emission cultivation methods. 

“To support food security and sustainable agriculture, we are using Gamagora rice and organic SSF (Super Smart Fertilizer),” he said.

The professor added that this collaboration will expand farmers’ understanding of the benefits of Gamagora rice. 

“We call it amphibious rice because it can grow in dry and wetlands,” he noted.

The demonstration plot of Gamagora rice in Klaten will serve as a joint evaluation material among the team and stakeholders regarding productivity—Gamagora rice averages over 9 tons per hectare. Professor Taryono hopes the harvest in Klaten will yield similar results. 

“In Ngawi, the demonstration plot harvest was very close to the target of 9.7 tons of unhusked rice per hectare, with a recent harvest of 9.1 tons per hectare,” he said.

According to him, with many planting locations for Gamagora rice, the UGM team will also assess the regional productivity gaps. To enhance productivity and meet targets, they are introducing innovative fertilizers developed by UGM researchers using rice husks, leaves, and chicken feathers. 

“We also have other innovations, such as micro-fertilizers, that can be tested to ensure plants thrive and stay healthy,” Professor Taryono added.

Karangwungu Farming Chair Dadi Mulyo supported the Gamagora rice planting to improve farmer welfare through increased rice yields per hectare. He highlighted Agri Sparta’s role in introducing modern rice cultivation technology. 

“We hope our welfare will improve and advance. We could not achieve this alone without the help of everyone involved,” Mulyo said.

Walidi, representing DKPP in Klaten, hopes the Gamagora rice planting will succeed and be applied in other areas. 

“Hopefully, this can be collaborated on to increase production, thereby boosting farmers’ incomes,” he said.

Agus Yuniarto, a newly elected Klaten Regional House of Representatives member, suggested that Gamagora rice should be introduced more widely among Klaten farmers to support their prosperity and national food security programs.

Agri Sparta COO Husnul Mubarok shared that they are carrying out an on-farm project using Gamagora rice varieties. He hopes this initial planting will expand to other regions, as they plan to buy the harvested rice in cooperation with Perum Bulog. 

“Our motto is to help farmers and share knowledge through the technology we introduce. Bulog will receive the harvest, and gradually, this project will spread to other areas,” he said.

The name Gamagora is an abbreviation of Gama Gogo Rancah. This rice variety was developed to address the decline in rice production in Indonesia due to global climate change phenomena, including El Niño and La Niña, and the conversion of rice fields to non-rice uses, which amounts to 96,512 hectares annually. 

With the designation Gamagora 7, this rice variety offers superior production yields, resistance to planthoppers and diseases, and suitability for paddy fields and rainfed areas.

Author: Gusti Grehenson

Artikel UGM Plants Gamagora Rice in Klaten, Central Java pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

During the inauguration ceremony, he delivered a speech titled “Development of Participatory Breeding to Support National Food Independence.”

In his speech, Professor Taryono explained that plant breeding activities are based on scientific knowledge but have long been considered inefficient due to the time, effort, and cost required. 

As a result, numerous technological innovations have been made to make plant breeding activities more efficient.

Despite its inefficiency, researchers are required to produce climate-friendly superior varieties quickly and inexpensively. 

Therefore, breeders must intelligently utilize all technological innovations in biology and other fields.

Professor Taryono and his team’s experience developing the new Gamagora 7 rice variety revealed that screening was the most time-consuming, labor-intensive, and costly stage. 

“Therefore, technological development should be more focused on accelerating the screening process through genetic engineering technologies and in vitro techniques,” he stated.

Professor Taryono acknowledged that rapid breeding efforts and shorter breeding cycles can be the simplest and most effective approach to developing new varieties. 

Supported by technological innovations, superior varieties can be produced more quickly, distinguished by non-molecular and molecular technologies.

However, he added that it is equally important that plant genetic resources for food and agriculture strongly support plant breeding activities. 

The preservation of plant genetic resources, including wild relatives, farmer varieties (landraces), local varieties, and superior varieties, is crucial and should be maintained in their original environments and gene banks, depending on their propagation characteristics.

He emphasized that UGM has long managed both seed and field gene banks. The seed gene bank stores orthodox seeds of food and horticultural crops such as rice, corn, soybeans, mung beans, long beans, winged beans, and pumpkins.

UGM continues its efforts to preserve and utilize plant genetic resources to support food independence programs. Their existence in nature is threatened by agricultural development, population growth, and climate change. 

“The development of genetic material is carried out as a source of resilience against biological and environmental stress, quality improvement, the search for male sterility for hybrid variety development, and the creation of new varieties by transferring desired traits from various genetic resources to superior varieties,” he said.

Regarding national food issues, Professor Taryono suggested decentralization in regions to strengthen local food systems based on local food sources.

Until now, the existence of Regional Plant Genetic Resources Commissions (Komda Plasma Nutfah) has supported local governments in preserving plant genetic resources, but these commissions have not been functioning as expected.

On this occasion, he proposed reactivating the Komda Plasma Nutfah to preserve and utilize plant genetic resources through participatory breeding activities. 

“Participatory breeding is highly recommended as an approach to achieving food independence in the future, given the many challenges that must be faced,” he concluded.

In her remarks, Rector of Universitas Gadjah Mada Professor Ova Emilia stated that Professor Taryono is one of the 452 active professors at UGM, one of the 26 active professors in the Faculty of Agriculture, and one of the 73 professors the faculty has ever had.

Author: Gusti Grehenson  

Post-editor: Lintang

Photographer: Firsto

Artikel Dr. Taryono Achieves Professorship for Gamagora Research pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

During the meeting, Nghituwamata expressed Namibia’s desire to expand cooperation between the Indonesian government and Namibia. Cooperation was also previously established between UGM and the University of Namibia (UNAM) in agricultural development. 

“She wants to strengthen the existing cooperation between Namibia and Indonesia. Since this is specifically university-level cooperation, the agricultural collaboration between UGM and UNAM will be expanded, focusing on seed production, vaccines, and community service programs (KKN),” said Professor Taryono of the UGM Faculty of Agriculture, relaying Nghituwamata’s message.

UGM Rector Professor Emilia noted that the cooperation between UGM and the University of Namibia has been initiatedsince 2009. The latest collaborative project, developed in 2022, involves the development of tissue culture technology.

UGM has agreed with the Namibian Ministry of Agriculture to explore collaboration opportunities in developing and producing crop seeds suitable for Namibia’s dry land and climate conditions, supporting Namibia’s food security and self-sufficiency programs.

“Coincidentally, we are promoting the Gamagora rice variety, which can be planted during the dry season and in rainfed fields, especially in light of the current global climate change issues,” she stated.

The rector also mentioned that the Namibian delegation is interested in collaborating on the UGM KKN-PPM to provide students with practical experience in applying their knowledge to solve community issues.

During their visit to UGM, the Namibian delegation toured the Faculty of Agriculture’s laboratories and the Agrotechnology Innovation Center (PIAT). They also reviewed the progress of the seed breeding center at UNAM, comparing it directly with the facilities at UGM.

Author: Gusti Grehenson

Photographer: Donnie

Artikel UGM and Namibia Agree on Seed Production Development Collaboration pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.