Lecturers and students from Universitas Diponegoro (UNDIP) and Universitas Muhammadiyah Semarang (UNIMUS) collaborated in a community service program to establish a durian seedling project in Criwik Village, Pancur District, Rembang Regency. This program aims to empower the local community by developing the potential of durian agriculture, which holds high economic prospects in the region.
The durian seedling initiative directly involves the people of Criwik Village, with guidance provided by experts and academics from both universities. The program focuses not only on enhancing technical skills in durian seedling cultivation but also on applying modern agricultural technologies to ensure the production of high-quality durian seedlings.
Septrial Arafat, S.P., M.P., a lecturer in the Agroecotechnology Study Program, Faculty of Animal and Agricultural Sciences at Universitas Diponegoro, stated that durian seedling cultivation was chosen due to the significant potential of durian as a leading commodity in the Rembang Regency. “We see durian as having high economic value and being well-suited to the soil conditions in Criwik Village. Through this program, we aim to help the community optimize this potential,” he explained during the activity.
Throughout the program, the residents of Criwik Village received training on selecting superior durian seedlings, proper seeding techniques, seedling care, and handling pests and diseases commonly affecting durian seedlings. Additionally, participants were trained in sustainable nursery management, enabling them to produce durian seedlings and increase their income independently.
Wahyu Imam Santoso, S.TP., M.P., Head of the Agribusiness Study Program at Universitas Muhammadiyah Semarang, emphasized that this program represents a tangible form of university service in empowering communities. “We hope this program can help the community improve their living standards through durian as the village’s flagship commodity. Moreover, students gain valuable field experience working alongside the community,” he said.
The students involved in the program also expressed enthusiasm. They not only gained practical knowledge about durian cultivation but also experienced firsthand collaboration with village residents. Farkhan Kurniawan, a student of the Agroecotechnology Study Program, Faculty of Animal and Agricultural Sciences at Universitas Diponegoro, shared, “This program gives us real-world experience in building community-based agriculture while broadening our knowledge about durian as a high-economic-value crop.”
The program is expected to position Criwik Village as a durian seedling center in Pancur District, boosting the local economy through more productive and sustainable durian agriculture. The initiative runs from October to the end of 2024, with plans for continued university assistance to ensure the program’s success and sustainability.
This collaboration also serves as an example of how universities can play an active role in supporting rural development through innovation and the advancement of local potential, aligning with the community service mission upheld by Universitas Diponegoro and Universitas Muhammadiyah Semarang.
