The Bachelor of Agricultural Extension and Communication (PKP) Study Program, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), continues to expand its global engagement through international research collaboration. One of its lecturers, Alia Bihrajihant Raya, S.P., M.P., Ph.D., conducted a research activity in Japan focusing on community farming practices as part of efforts to enrich academic learning and community engagement.
During the activity, Alia Bihrajihant Raya and her team conducted direct observations of community farming practices and explored how such systems function as tools for community empowerment. These practices demonstrate that agriculture is not only about production, but also about fostering social collaboration, strengthening communities, and building sustainable food systems.
Through this field experience, PKP lecturers gained valuable insights into the role of community farming in enhancing food security and community self-reliance. The approach observed in Japan emphasizes active community participation across the entire agricultural value chain, from production to distribution.
This activity is part of a collaborative initiative between Universitas Gadjah Mada and Tohoku University, which opens opportunities for knowledge exchange and the strengthening of international networks in agriculture and community development.
Beyond enriching academic perspectives, the outcomes of this activity are expected to be integrated into classroom learning, research, and community service programs in Indonesia. In this way, relevant global practices can be adapted to address local challenges, particularly in the development of community-based agriculture.
This initiative also highlights the role of lecturers as knowledge brokers, bridging global practices with local needs. By bringing international experiences into the Indonesian context, PKP lecturers contribute to developing more participatory, innovative, and impactful extension approaches.
This activity contributes to several Sustainable Development Goals, including:
- SDG 2 (Zero Hunger): through strengthening sustainable community-based agricultural systems
- SDG 4 (Quality Education): through enriching learning with global experiential insights
- SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): through reinforcing the role of communities in agricultural systems
- SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals): through international collaboration between Indonesia and Japan
Through this initiative, the PKP Study Program at UGM reaffirms its commitment to advancing adaptive, collaborative, and solution-oriented knowledge development in support of sustainable agricultural development.