Bandung, January 27–28, 2026 – A lecturer from the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (DTPB), Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FTP UGM), Dr. Sri Rahayoe, led the Pilot Project for Islamic Boarding School Economic Empowerment based on the National Movement for Food Inflation Control (GNPIP) focusing on horticultural commodities. The program was conducted on January 27–28, 2026, in Bandung, West Java.
This pilot project was assigned by the Department of Islamic Economics and Finance (DEKS), Bank Indonesia, to FTP UGM and implemented using a low-cost communal greenhouse approach to strengthen pesantren-based horticultural economic activities. One of the target locations of the program was Al Ittifaq Islamic Boarding School Cooperative (Kopontren Al Ittifaq), located in Ciburial Hamlet, Alamendah Village, Rancabali District, Bandung Regency, West Java.
As the program leader, Dr. Sri Rahayoe coordinated a multidisciplinary team from UGM, consisting of Hilda Maya Sintia Dewi, M.Sc. (research assistant and lecturer at DTPB FTP UGM), Ir. Pujo Saroyo (Department of Agro-Industrial Technology, FTP UGM), Dodi Kastono, M.P. (Faculty of Agriculture, UGM), and Irkhas Bayu Faveryan, M.Eng. (UGM Vocational School). The involvement of this team supported the planning and implementation of activities in accordance with their respective fields of expertise.
The program was implemented using a communal approach involving five Islamic boarding schools, with Kopontren Al Ittifaq acting as a mentor, while four other boarding schools served as mentees. This approach was designed to facilitate technical assistance and experience sharing among program participants.
Program Socialization and Focus Group Discussion
To establish a shared understanding and prepare for program implementation, the team conducted Program Socialization and Focus Group Discussion (FGD) activities over two days, from January 27 to 28, 2026. These activities involved representatives from participating Islamic boarding schools, Bank Indonesia West Java, and relevant local government agencies as key stakeholders in horticultural commodity development in West Java.
During the sessions, various technical and institutional aspects were discussed, including site readiness, the roles of each stakeholder, and implementation mechanisms at the field level. These discussions formed part of the initial stages prior to full-scale program implementation.
Field Visit to Agricultural Land in Bandung Regency
The pilot project also included field visits to agricultural land in Bandung Regency to review leading horticultural commodities and assess site readiness.
Overall, this pilot project reflects the role of DTPB FTP UGM lecturers in managing community service–oriented activities and cross-sector collaboration. In a broader context, the program is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 4 (Quality Education), and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).
This program represents one form of FTP UGM’s academic contribution in supporting the development of horticulture-based economic empowerment for Islamic boarding schools at the local level.
