Yogyakarta, 27 November 2025 – The Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (DTPB), Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Universitas Gadjah Mada, held a guest lecture to strengthen students’ practical understanding of industrial applications in the field of agricultural engineering. This session carried the theme “Agricultural Machinery Mechanization in the Sugar Industry” and featured M. Luthfi Dinsaputro, S.T.P., a distinguished alumnus currently serving at PG Madubaru (Madukismo), as the keynote speaker. The event was attended by course lecturers Dr. Sri Markumningsih and Ardan Wiratmoko, M.Sc., along with enthusiastic students who actively participated throughout the session.
At the beginning of his presentation, Luthfi provided an overview of the history of PG Madukismo and its strategic role in supporting national sugar production. He explained how the industry contributes to fulfilling Indonesia’s sugar demand and supporting food security through continuous supply. The presentation offered students a direct perspective on industrial dynamics and introduced real conditions within the sugar processing sector.
Moving into the technical discussion, Luthfi emphasized that PG Madukismo has implemented approximately 80% mechanization in its sugarcane cultivation process, covering land preparation, planting, maintenance, and harvesting. This mechanization is applied across plantations located in 14 regencies in the Yogyakarta Special Region and Central Java, making Madukismo one of the sugar factories actively developing technological transformation in agriculture.
“Comparing manual and mechanical methods shows significant efficiency improvements in both working time and cost per hectare. Mechanization not only accelerates operations but also optimizes production expenses,” Luthfi stated during the lecture.
In addition, Luthfi introduced the existence of an internal workshop at PG Madukismo that serves as a facility for machine repair and development. The workshop supports the maintenance, modification, and enhancement of agricultural mechanization tools used along the production line. All operations are supported by a structured workshop management system, ensuring effective coordination and fast handling of technical issues in the field.
The discussion continued interactively, with students raising questions related to the challenges of agricultural mechanization, machine operation, and future opportunities for technological innovation. This session successfully linked academic concepts with industrial practice, broadening students’ insight into real-world engineering applications.
Through this activity, DTPB UGM hopes to prepare students as competent, innovative, and adaptive professionals in the agricultural industry. The involvement of alumni in academic activities also strengthens collaboration between universities and industry sectors, building a network that supports future development in agricultural engineering.
This guest lecture directly contributes to the realization of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly:
🔹 SDG 4 – Quality Education through knowledge enrichment and skill development for students;
🔹 SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure through the adoption of modern mechanization and technological advancement in processing;
🔹 SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production by encouraging efficient, cost-effective, and sustainable agricultural practices.
Through strengthening competency and industry exposure, this lecture becomes a real step in advancing sustainable agricultural technology.
