[Unpad Media Channel] A team from the international organization of International Association of Students in Agricultural and Related Sciences (IAAS) Local Committee Universitas Padjadjaran achieves the first winner in the event “Women in Agriculture Competition,” which is held online by the IAAS World on March 15th – April 18th, 2024.
The achievement was accomplished by the Village Concept Project IAAS LC Unpad team that consists of Muhammad Al Fatih Mufiid (Agrotechnology), Partika Arum (Agrotechnology), Talitha Zahira (2021 Agribusiness), Sekar Nalika Ligar (Agrotechnology), Adilah Muthmainnah (Agrotechnology), Meysa Nazila Maratul Qamilah (Agribusiness), Mantika M Warahmah (Agribusiness), Filzah Rania Az Zahra (Social Welfare), Destia TriDamayanti (Agrotechpreneur), Rahma Putri Berliani (Agrotechnology), Sabela Safa Bagraf (Food Technology), Aiska Firanaya Ramadhani (Social Welfare), dan Mazetto Faiq Aqillah (Agrotechnology).
On the release achieved by Unpad Media Channel, the VCP IAAS LC Unpad team introduced the concept of “A Permaculture System” to solve the problem of land difficulties. This solution answers the directly experienced problem by the Group of Harum Manis Women Farmers in the Kutamandiri Village, Sumedang, West Java.
The permaculture system introduces the raised-bed gardening method or the elevated soil planting method with covering material on its sides for planting beans.
Moreover, azolla cultivation, a nutrient-rich plant suitable for challenging land, is also introduced. The cultivation of beans and azolla not only helps in unproductive land but also opens up new business opportunities for women farmers’ groups there. This cultivation innovation of beans and Azolla is called “Mamazolla: Azolla Chips” and “Crispy Bean Eggs.”
The VCP IAAS LC Unpad team not only wants to help fulfill family economic needs and improve welfare but also wants to make the women farmers group as an inspiration for other families regarding the importance of women’s economic independence and skills in agriculture and business.
Through the Women in Agriculture competition, which collaborates with the Village Concept Project, IAAS World wants society to recognize and celebrate the contributions of women working in agriculture.
The women’s presence in agriculture is an advantage and potential to become agents shaping the future of the global food system.
This competition aims to search for ideas and projects that can enhance women’s position and life standards in agriculture around the world for sustainable changes. They invites every local committee from every country and all members of the IAAS World. (released/SA)*
