week program was organized by IAAS LC Undip in collaboration with the Service Civil International (SCI) Malaysia and Bhumi Horta Foundation. The event was participated by a team of five members from Universitas Diponegoro (Undip), representing the IAAS LC Undip organization. The team was led by Deska Dubois Anggoro P., an Agroecotechnology student, while the other members comprised Nayla Kanamona, Andhika Ramadhani R., and Ezequelle Nesyaras G. P. from the Food Technology, as well as Muhammad Fikri Syaikal from the Biology Department.
The workcamp was structured around two core activities: hands-on fieldwork and interactive discussion sessions led by Uncle Stephen of SCI Malaysia. The program featured speakers from diverse professional backgrounds sharing their expertise with participants. Deska and team as students with backgrounds in agriculture and related biological sciences, the team was well-equipped to engage with the program’s practical and theoretical components. Their daily schedule alternated between intensive fieldwork and evening discussion sessions, providing comprehensive learning experiences with new insights and perspectives from accomplished speakers in the agricultural and entrepreneurship sectors.
Deska and team daily activities varied throughout the workcamp, offering a comprehensive learning experience in sustainable farming practices:
- Land Management: The team leveled the land to prepare suitable areas for grass cultivation and relocated animal sheds as part of the farm’s integrated farming system, which combined agricultural and livestock activities for sustainable management.
- Resource Gathering: Participants gathered and transported wood from the open fields to build a campfire, which created a cozy atmosphere for evening discussion sessions and fostered deeper connections among participants.
- Farm Maintenance: Daily morning and afternoon observations included pruning branches of pineapple and durian plants, collecting plastic waste, and removing rotten fruits to maintain farm cleanliness and plant health.
- Environmental Stewardship: The team participated in a river cleaning activity, removing plastic waste and other debris to help restore and preserve the natural ecosystem surrounding the farming area.
- Pest Control: Preventive pest management measures were implemented by installing fly traps and setting up fruit fly traps using pheromone attractants (methyl eugenol) to minimize potential infestations and protect crop productivity.
- Nursery Establishment: A nursery area was constructed using wood, metal frames, and paranet shading to serve as a plant propagation facility and seedling source for future field transplanting.
Beyond the fieldwork, Deska and the team had the valuable opportunity to engage in insightful discussions with several distinguished members of SCI Malaysia throughout the evenings, each bringing unique perspectives and expertise from their respective professional fields:
- Uncle Nicholas, the farm owner and an experienced entrepreneur, shared his philosophy of turning challenges into opportunities in farm management, drawing from years of practical business experience.
- Uncle Stephen emphasized the core value of “Peace” as the heart of SCI’s global movement, inspiring us to connect agricultural work with humanitarian purpose.
- Akak Nurul enriched the discussion with her firsthand stories of global volunteering, reflecting the power of cross-cultural collaboration.
- Uncle Many, a skilled arborist, provided valuable knowledge on large-scale plantation techniques and sustainable tree management.
- Uncle Tan discussed his journey in balancing business management with biodiversity conservation, particularly within palm oil estates.
- Finally, Uncle Balan and Aunty Inba led an engaging session on social psychology, wrapping up the program’s interdisciplinary spirit by connecting human behavior, community, and sustainability.
Deska and the team have successfully completed the workcamp program and returned to Indonesia, marking a significant milestone for both Universitas Diponegoro and IAAS LC UNDIP. This experience demonstrates that agricultural learning extends far beyond the campus boundaries, enabling students to gain practical knowledge and international exposure in real-world farming contexts. The workcamp reflects UNDIP and IAAS’s commitment to fostering collaborative partnerships and innovation in building a sustainable agricultural future.
This milestone was made possible with our partners SCI Malaysia and Bhumi Horta Foundation whose essential guidance and facilitation throughout the entire program.