KKNT IPB University Students Introduce DigiTani Applications and Calina Papaya to Loji Village Community

Students of Thematic Real Work Lecture (KKNT) Innovation in collaboration with the Directorate of Agromaritime Community Development (DPMA) IPB University have carried out activities to introduce the DigiTani Application and Calina Papaya (IPB9) at the Loji Village Office, Simpenan District, Sukabumi Regency, West Java.

This activity aims to introduce the Loji Village community to the DigiTani application and the Calina papaya variety or better known as California Papaya.

The presentation related to the introduction of the DigiTani application was delivered by Suwanda, a student of IPB University. In his presentation, Suwanda explained that DigiTani is a media platform for communication and consultation between farmers and IPB University experts on agriculture and rural areas.

“There are various features contained in DigiTani, such as farmer consul, farmer forum, ask experts, list of extension workers, agricultural and rural articles, video podcasts and tutorials, consultation articles, and news,” Suwanda said.

Suwanda continued, this application is expected to increase farmers’ knowledge and skills in crop cultivation, expand farmers’ networks and increase cooperation between farmers, increase productivity and quality of crops, and increase farmers’ income.

Furthermore, the introduction of Calina papaya was delivered by Sarwono, SP, a representative from DPMA IPB University. In his presentation, Sarwono explained how to cultivate Calina papaya, starting from the preparation of planting media, seeding and care procedures, land preparation, planting, fertilization, irrigation, pest and disease control, to harvesting and marketing.

“Calina papaya is a papaya variety developed by IPB University with several advantages such as easy to harvest, easy to carry and market, can harvest faster, thick and sweet flesh and resistant to disease so it is easy to cultivate,” Sarwono explained.

Chief of the Village Community Empowerment Section of Simpenan District, Ayi Mulyadi hopes that the knowledge gained by the Loji Village community can be disseminated to other communities and can be applied in everyday life so as to improve their welfare.

KKNT Inovasi IPB University students also hope that this counseling can provide benefits for Loji Village residents, especially in increasing knowledge and skills in farming.

After the presentation session, students helped the Loji Village community to register for a DigiTani account. Loji Village residents were very enthusiastic about participating in this counseling activity. This can be seen from the many questions asked to the speakers. (*/Lp) (IAAS/Hap)