Manyarejo, May 11, 2025. As a follow-up to the assessment results of the Sangiran Integrated Cultural Programme (PKTS) conducted in early 2025, the Arsari Djojohadikusumo Foundation (YAD) and the Wadah Titian Harapan Foundation (Wadah), in collaboration with the Rural Technology Development Institute (LPTP), organised a study visit on eco-friendly agriculture, integrated livestock farming, and conservation in three villages in Central Java.  This activity focuses on environmental conservation, sanitation, livestock farming, agriculture, and fisheries. A series of preparatory activities have been carried out from April 28 to May 8, 2025, including selecting 15 residents of Manyarejo village as participants for the study visit to Mriyan Village, Pagerjurang Village, Boyolali, and Mundu Village in Klaten, Central Java. 

Ensuring PKTS is Effective and Has Real Impact 

This study visit aims to ensure that the implementation of PKTS runs effectively and has a real impact on the community. Three areas deemed a priority for follow-up are field schools related to rice cultivation, environmental conservation, and biodigester construction. A biodigester is a system used to convert organic waste into biogas. 

Strengthening the community’s ability to oversee the three priority sectors is another goal of this activity. Not only will this study visit facilitate technical learning, but it will also provide a platform for experience sharing, network-building, and inspiration from professionals who have successfully managed similar programmes.

Endemic Orchid Adoption in Mriyan Village  

The fifteen study visit participants selected from Manyarejo Village were divided into three groups, namely the agriculture group, the animal husbandry group, and the conservation group. 

After that, on May 8, 2025, the participants started their one-day study visit in Mriyan Village, Boyolali, where they went to two ‘hamlets’ (dusun in Indonesian). They first headed to a conservation area run by the Pakem hamlet. Here, they learn participatory methods in environmental conservation programmes that include the cultivation of endemic and eco-friendly farming systems.

One of the things that caught the participants’ attention is the cultivation method of the endemic Merapi orchids. These orchids are preserved and cultivated using an ‘adoption’ approach, where the community or supporters from outside the village can contribute to their conservation. This approach serves as one of the best practice examples in conservation activities by fostering community involvement. 

In addition, participants were introduced to vegetative conservation efforts by the Gumuk hamlet. In their own garden, the community plants Multi-Purpose Tree Species (MPTS) or tree species that have various functions beyond their primary products such as fruit or wood.  These trees also provide other ecological and socio-economic functions. One good example is the coffee plant, as ecologically, it supports biodiversity, prevents soil erosion, and returns carbon to the soil. Socio-economically, coffee cultivation provides livelihoods and income for the community.

Pagerjurang Village, Empowering the Economy with Avocados 

The second location visited was Pagerjurang Village. In this village, the participants attended training on avocado grafting techniques and learned about the horticultural farming system integrated with village policies. They visited the yards and gardens of locals who had grown avocados, and they had direct conversations with the owners to learn about the growing process, obstacles encountered, and prospects for making avocados a profitable local product. 

After touring the area, participants had the opportunity to take part in a technical discussion session led by the head of Pagerjurang Village, Nur Amin. The village head explained village work programmes and the progress of various initiatives that have been running.  In addition, Nur Amin also explained the strategic policies taken by the village administration in supporting the initiatives of its citizens, especially in the fields of agriculture and the local resource-based economic empowerment. This presentation provides a comprehensive picture of the direction of village development that is inclusive and based on real potential in the field.

From Mundu Village with Biogas and Ice Cream 

The study tour proceeded to the third site, Mundu Village, Klaten, where the Tourism Awareness Group (Pokdarwis) greeted the participants and gave them an overview of the process of turning livestock waste into biogas energy and managing animal products to create dairy products with added value.

In this village, the participants were treated to a variety of typical village snacks and refreshments of pasteurised milk and milk ice cream. 

Budiyanta, Mundu’s village head, formally welcomed the participants. He highlighted the village’s key strengths, particularly in independent energy management and the livestock sector. The village’s approach in developing local economic and human capital potential does not only focus on the economy, but also prioritises sustainability and innovation based on local wisdom.  

Next, the participants were invited to visit the communal cowshed of the Dungus Group, which happened to be carrying out milking activities. This moment was a rare opportunity for the participants to observe and discuss firsthand the village’s system of raising and milking cows, as well as the role of livestock groups in strengthening the village economy. 

Then, the participants visited the local house that has utilised livestock waste as a renewable energy source through a biogas system. They observed and discussed how the digester operates, and how it produces gas used for biogas stoves and lamps.  

Not only that, they were also introduced to the utilisation of biogas by-products in the form of slurry as liquid fertiliser for agriculture. 

Finally, the series of one-day study visits concluded at the Pusur Institute community. The Pusur Institute emphasised strengthening food security through grain management system, rice, and organic farming using natural fertilisers and pesticides. Here, Danang, Pundungan’s village head who is also the head of the Pusur Institute, warmly welcomed the participants. In his speech, the village head highlighted that the agricultural activities carried out in his village are part of the support for the food security programme launched by the central government. In addition, farmers are also encouraged to utilise livestock waste as organic fertiliser to naturally improve soil fertility. 

On the same occasion, Sasongko, the 70-year-old head of the farmer group, also spoke about the importance of a healthy diet that starts with the food cultivation process itself.  He pointed out that many modern diseases stem from the consumption of food contaminated with synthetic chemicals, so eco-friendly agriculture is one of the important solutions.  One of the initiatives Sasongko and his group have made is the cultivation of Rojolele rice with a legowo planting system, using organic fertilisers and plant-based pesticides. He also explained that the process of making organic fertiliser can now be accelerated using local micro-organisms (MOL), which significantly reduces the fermentation time of livestock waste. 

Study Visit, Expanding Insights and Inspiration 

From this visit, participants have gained additional insights and inspiration, especially in the fields of conservation, agriculture, and livestock farming. Additionally, they also gained new techniques on how to increase the economic value of various agricultural and livestock products.

In conclusion, this study visit offered a space for participants to share experiences, expand  networks, and increase  knowledge. Furthermore, YAD and Wadah, in collaboration with LPTP, plan to develop a series of programmes that focus on developing conservation, livestock and sustainable agricultural initiatives in Manyarejo Village.

Author: Tito Suryawan