Himagreto of IPB University educates Cibunian Villagers a combination of Agricultural Science and Meteorology
The Association of Agrometeorology Students (Himagreto) of IPB University through the implementation team of the Student Organisation Capacity Building Program (PPK Ormawa) collaborated with the Cibunian community in the Campus Visit activity. This aims to introduce the importance of synergy between agricultural science and meteorology in facing agricultural challenges in the modern era.
Along with climate change that is increasingly unpredictable, the ability to understand and utilise meteorological data becomes crucial for the success of the agricultural sector.
The activity was attended by 22 residents of Cibunian Village from RW 5, RW 6, RW 16, and RW 17. This visit began with a speech by the chief executive of PPK Ormawa, then continued with a tour of the hydroponic greenhouse.
In this activity, IPB University students introduced farming techniques that do not require soil, but use water enriched with nutrients. Villagers also get an in-depth explanation of how accurate weather data can affect the environmental conditions inside the greenhouse, including temperature, humidity, and optimal lighting.
After that, they participated in healthy seedling training using biointensive methods. This method emphasises the efficient use of land by considering environmental sustainability. In this training, the community is taught how to prepare plant seeds that can increase plant resistance to pests and diseases.
“This biointensive approach allows us to produce stronger and healthier plants, while maintaining soil fertility naturally,” said Justin, a student of the Faculty of Agriculture of IPB University who guided this training.
The next activity is the introduction of instrumentation at the meteorological station of IPB Dramaga Campus. Here, the society gets the opportunity to see and learn about various tools used to monitor weather and climate conditions in real-time. Tools such as ombrometer, hygrometer, class A pan, automatic weather station (AWS), pyrometer, and albedometer were introduced to the public.
On that occasion, Himagreto of IPB University students explained how the collected data can be used to predict the weather, determine the right planting time, and anticipate climate change that has an impact on agriculture.
“By understanding how weather and climate affect agriculture, we can make wiser decisions in land and plant management,” said Deedat, a meteorology student.
The enthusiasm of the villagers in this activity is very visible, as evidenced by several questions they gave to IPB University’s students. This activity received a positive response from the participants, who felt that they were gaining new insights into the importance of meteorological science in modern agriculture.
“This activity helps me to know more about how technology can help us facing agricultural challenges in the future,” said Sahrudin as a community of Cibunian village.
Through this Campus Visit activity, it is hoped that a strong synergy can be created between the world of agriculture and meteorology which will be the foundation for more resilient and sustainable modern agriculture. Thus, this activity can be a means of collaboration in creating new innovations that are able to answer global challenges in the future, as well as provide welfare for the community and food security. (*/Rz) (IAAS/IAN)
