Mataram, University of Mataram – Through the UPLAND Project The Center for Sustainable Farm Systems University of Mataram (CESFARMS Unram) in collaboration with the East Lombok Regency Agriculture Office continues to develop agricultural potential, especially garlic commodities in upland areas (Upland) in 3 Districts of East Lombok Regency consisting of Districts, Sembalun, Wanasaba and Suela. The training was held from November 30 to December 2, 2023.

This Upland program targets the empowerment of millennial farmers who are the determinants of future agricultural progress. The regeneration of the workforce and the creativity of innovation and utilization of digital technology will create an independent modern agriculture based on entrepreneurship, productivity, and sustainability.

Located at Griya Asri Hotel Mataram, the Head of LPPM Unram, Prof. Dr. Ir. Sukartono, M.Agr. was directly present accompanied by the Chief Executive of the Training, Ir. I Gusti Lanang Parta Tanaya, M.App.Sc., Ph.D..

Starting this training activity, Ir. I Gusti Lanang Parta Tanaya, M.App.Sc., Ph.D. as the Chief Executive reported, “this garlic production processing training was attended by 30 participants consisting of 24 male participants and 6 female participants from 3 sub-districts in East Lombok Regency, including Sembalun, Wanasaba and Suela sub-districts”.

This training is a form of sustainability (Follow Up) from the previous week’s activities, as an effort to continue to improve the quality of farmers, especially millennial farmers with a regional zone approach or commodity sectors, for example garlic from upstream to downstream, considering East Lombok Regency as one of the contributing districts and national garlic production centers.

East Lombok as one of the largest garlic centers in Indonesia has a 52% contribution to the national harvest area. Strategic natural potential and supporting commodity development for garlic needs to be supported by the availability of seeds and improving the quality of its Human Resources.

On the same occasion, Prof. Dr. Ir. Sukartono, M.Agr. as Head of LPPM Unram in his speech said.

“Garlic is one type of horticultural vegetable crop that is widely used for consumption needs both as a flavoring and as a medicine. This commodity has an important role in the economy which is directed to increase yield, production quality, and increase the income of the community, especially farmers.

Furthermore, the Professor of Soil Science at the Faculty of Agriculture of Unram emphasized, “agro-climatic suitability in these 3 sub-districts illustrates the interaction between four dimensions, including ecological, social, economic and policy dimensions as parameters for sustainable development in agriculture, especially in achieving the garlic self-sufficiency program”.

In general, the Garlic Processing Training Program for East Lombok Regency Farmers conducted by UPLAND Project with CESFARMS Unram aims to increase the economic self-sufficiency of farmers, improve livelihood standards, and increase their role and influence in rural development.

Therefore, introducing and mobilizing millennial farmers is the right choice for regeneration and increasing agricultural productivity in order to actualize the Let’s be Young Agripreneur movement in the context of smart farming in both on farm and off farm phases.

Dra. Masithah as the NTB Regional Training Expert is optimistic that the development of an integrated agricultural system in the Upland area, through the Upland Project program, can improve the quality and productivity of farmers.

The Upland Project has a series of activities to support agricultural development. Upland Project activities consist of increasing productivity and establishing food security, developing agribusiness and facilitating income generation, strengthening institutional systems, and project management.

These activities are carried out to support agricultural development that benefits farmers. The implementation of these activities is also to strengthen institutions, Human Resources (HR), and to facilitate farmers in carrying out agricultural activities and agricultural development.

The speakers in this activity included (1) Tri Isti Rahayu, S.TP., M.Si Lecturer at the Faculty of Food Technology and Agroindustry Unram with the Material of Cleaning Sorting and Grading; (2) Fahruddin with the material of the SOP for Post-Harvest Handling of Garlic; (3) I Wayan Sweca Yasa Lecturer at the Faculty of Food Technology and Agroindustry Unram with the Material of Garlic Paste and Powder Processing Methods; and (4) Ir. I Gusti Lanang Parta Tanaya, M.App.Sc., Ph.D. as Lecturer of the Faculty of Agriculture Unram with the Material on Increasing Added Garlic Value.