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> News > USU Supports Local Farmers and Food Producers Development Through Community Knowledge-Transfer Programs

USU Supports Local Farmers and Food Producers Development Through Community Knowledge-Transfer Programs

Published At

19 September 2024

Published By

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By creating platforms for knowledge exchange, USU strengthens the links between academia, rural producers, and the private sector. Through its community‑engagement arm (LPPM) and the Faculty of Agriculture, innovations are translated into practice within smallholder farming systems.

Medan, 2024. Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) is deepening its commitment to local food security and sustainable agriculture by empowering farmers and food producers through a suite of knowledge‑transfer initiatives. These programmes support SDG 2 – Zero Hunger by improving productivity, strengthening value addition, and building resilience in rural food systems.

Knowledge Transfer in Action

In 2024, USU organised 28 major events focused on agriculture, aquaculture, and capacity building for food producers, including:

  • 12 community forums in Desa Binaan (model villages), bringing together over 1,300 local farmers and 90 USU researchers. Sessions covered composting, integrated pest management (IPM), bio‑fertiliser application, and digital farming systems.

  • 7 field‑based aquaculture workshops led by the Department of Aquaculture Resource Management, attended by 237 fish farmers, addressing water‑quality monitoring, low‑cost hatchery techniques, and sustainable feed formulation.

  • 3 innovation expos, where USU showcased agro‑innovations such as post‑harvest packaging tools and mobile greenhouse kits to cooperatives and rural entrepreneurs.
  • The flagship JUNGFOOD EX‑FEST (Jungle of Food Exhibition & Festival), which attracted more than 2,000 participants, featured 40 exhibition booths from SMEs and farmer groups, and offered live demonstrations of sustainable food‑production technologies.

source: suarausu.com

To expand its reach into less‑served agricultural communities, USU also built strategic partnerships with regional government agencies (such as the North Sumatra Provincial Agriculture Office), research institutes, and private‑sector partners including PT Inalum and Bank Indonesia. These collaborations strengthened outreach in districts such as Deli Serdang, Langkat, Simalungun, and Labuhanbatu Utara.

Focus on Coffee and Potato Value Chain Upgrading

USU’s engagement is further illustrated by targeted support in key commodity chains:

  • In Desa Telagah, Langkat Regency, a USU‑led programme trained coffee farmers in improved varietal selection, huller technology, and integrated pest control, aiming to increase yields and improve quality.
  • In Desa Semangat, Karo Regency, the Faculty of Agriculture addressed disease‑related crop losses in potato cultivation through technical guidance, poultry‑based compost provision, and calendar‑based planting systems.

These initiatives reflect USU’s emphasis on post‑harvest value addition and local income enhancement, which are critical to strengthening regional food security.

Building an Inclusive, Sustainable Food System

By creating platforms for knowledge exchange, USU strengthens the links between academia, rural producers, and the private sector. Through its community‑engagement arm (LPPM) and the Faculty of Agriculture, innovations are translated into practice within smallholder farming systems.

The result is higher productivity, better market access, and improved livelihoods for local farmers and food producers. These efforts form a core component of USU’s broader strategy to build resilient, inclusive food systems—where small‑scale producers are empowered, localised supply chains are reinforced, and regional food security is enhanced.

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