Yogyakarta, February 10, 2026 – A lecturer and researcher from the Food Engineering, Postharvest, and Bioprocess Research Group (KBK TPPB), Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (DTPB), Faculty of Agricultural Technology (FTP), Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), Bayu Nugraha, S.T.P., M.Sc., Ph.D., IPM., served as a keynote speaker in the Community Food Barn Management Training organized by the Food Security Division of the Sleman Regency Agriculture, Food, and Fisheries Office, Special Region of Yogyakarta. The program was conducted for Karya Tunggal Farmers Group in Nyamplung Village, Balecatur, Gamping, Sleman.
The training aimed to enhance community knowledge on postharvest handling techniques and equipment for rice to strengthen community-based food barn systems. In his presentation, Dr. Bayu Nugraha emphasized the importance of implementing Good Postharvest Practices to minimize yield losses at every stage, including harvesting, threshing, drying, and storage.
Issues raised by the Karya Tunggal Farmers Group, particularly regarding drying and storage during the rainy season, highlighted the urgent need for adequate postharvest facilities such as mechanical dryers and proper storage warehouses. Continuous assistance from local government and technical experts was also identified as a critical factor in strengthening community food security.
This activity not only reinforces the academic contribution of DTPB FTP UGM in postharvest engineering but also supports several targets of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including:
-
United Nations SDG 2 (Zero Hunger): Enhancing food security through optimized postharvest handling to preserve nutritional quality.
-
SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure): Promoting innovation in postharvest and packaging technologies.
-
SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production): Reducing postharvest food loss to create more sustainable production systems.
-
SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals): Strengthening collaboration between academia, local government, and farmer groups.
