SUIJI-SLP 2025: IPB University and Japanese Students Explore Village Potential, Learn from Local Communities
IPB University students and Japanese students participating in the program explored three villages in Bogor Regency, namely Sukajadi Village, Pasir Eurih Village, and Benteng Village.
During the week, participants of the Six University Initiative Japan-Indonesia Service Learning Program (SUIJI-SLP) 2025 carried out activities and programs in the village to get to know more closely the various local resource-based business sectors.
In Sukajadi Village, participants had the opportunity to witness first-hand the process of cultivating crickets, from rearing techniques, feeding, to sustainable harvesting methods. In addition, they also visited an oyster mushroom cultivation business and understood the stages from seedling to harvest.
Furthermore, in the Tilapia Fish Processing session, participants learned to process tilapia into value-added products such as fish dim sum.
Nicholas, a student of IPB University, expressed his experience, “This activity provided an extraordinary experience. I learned a lot about tilapia fish processing and how local products can have added value if processed properly.”
Afterwards, in Sukajadi Village, participants visited the Strawberry Rancage strawberry farm to learn strawberry cultivation techniques, as well as picking and tasting the harvest.
“It was great to learn from planting to harvesting strawberries,” said Hsu Mon Kyaw, one of the participants from Japan.
Still in Sukajadi Village, students made Nusantara specialties such as noga cake, jipang, and ali cake. They also concocted nutmeg juice, a refreshing traditional drink.
“The cake was delicious, this activity really opened our horizons about Indonesia’s culinary richness. The technique is simple, but it’s not easy to make,” said Shabrina, an IPB University student.
In Pasir Eurih Village, participants got to know more about agriculture and local culture by harvesting nutmeg which was processed into nutmeg juice extract and candied nutmeg. They also harvested long beans and tried Gepyok Padi, a traditional method of threshing rice. The activity ended with a Manuk Dadali dance performance, which is part of the preservation of local culture.
Participants also made and played traditional games such as pletokan, enggrang, clogs and cepretan. Billie Hadriano, one of the participants, shared her experience, “We not only learned to make the games, but also understood the philosophy behind them, which is cooperation, balance, and agility.”
Afterwards, they prepared materials to teach in the “Dream Class” and made a dream tree to symbolize their hopes for the future.
Cultural tourism was also part of the participants’ exploration of the village in Pasir Eurih. They also visited the historical sites of Batu Kerut and Petilasan Surya Kencana.
Meanwhile, in Benteng Village, participants trekked through the village and saw the hydroponic installation in the Benteng Mandiri Pangan program. They also visited Cahaya Tani Farmer Group to learn about crystal guava cultivation which has high economic value.
Then, participants also visited the micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) Soya Ayu soybean production house in Benteng Village to understand the home industry based on local raw materials. They were introduced to the production process of tofu, tempeh, soy milk, and soy-based snacks. With the guidance of the business owner, students practiced directly making soybean preparations, including the fermentation process of tempeh and making hygienic soy milk.
Not only that, SUIJI-SLP 2025 participants also had the opportunity to explore purple sweet potato cultivation and cassava flour innovation in Cassava Village, Benteng Village. They learned the planting process, maintenance techniques, and optimal harvesting methods. In addition, participants saw first-hand the making of cassava flour and discussed with local farmers the agricultural practices applied in Indonesia and Japan.
The SUIJI-SLP 2025 program in Bogor Regency proved that collaboration between students and village communities can bring great benefits. Through the exploration of local potential, sustainable agriculture, food innovation, and cultural preservation, participants not only gained new insights but also strengthened the relationship between Indonesia and Japan. With a high spirit of learning, students are ready to apply this valuable experience in their future studies and lives. (IAAS/LAN)
