The Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) has successfully conducted its 2023 Student Community Service Program (KKN-PPM) in the Puding Besar District, targeting Kimak Village and Air Anyir Village. The program, conducted by unit 2023-BB004, was themed “Strengthening Community Innovation through the Development of Regional Superior Products and Improving the Quality of Public Services.” This initiative aimed to empower the local communities by fostering innovation and enhancing public services to tap into their regional potential.
The KKN-PPM program sought to enable the residents of Air Anyir Village and Kimak Village to develop various innovations based on their unique regional strengths. By improving the quality of public services and creating superior local products, the program aimed to elevate the standard of living and support sustainable regional development.
Kimak Village, predominantly agricultural, benefited from a range of agricultural-themed innovations. The UGM KKN-PPM students worked with the community to create briquettes made from agricultural waste that provide a sustainable energy source, reducing reliance on traditional wood fuels and promoting environmental conservation. The community also learned about how to produce compost that enhances soil fertility, leading to better crop yields and promoting sustainable farming practices. Meanwhile, UGM students and the community also generated non-timber forest products that offer alternative income sources, reducing pressure on timber resources and encouraging forest preservation. Last but not least, the other product the UGM KKN-PPM students created in Kimak Village was a soil condition monitoring tool that helps farmers monitor soil health, allowing informed decisions about crop management and improving agricultural productivity.
In contrast, Air Anyir Village is well-known for its tourist attarctions. Therefore, the products created by students were more inclined towards planning, such as studies on mining, economics, village tourism master plans, and festivals. Thus, the UGM KKN-PPM students and the community were focused on planning and development initiatives to maximize its tourism potential. The studies done by the UGM KKN-PPM students on village mining and economics were expected to provide comprehensive insights into local resources, aiding in strategic planning for sustainable mining and economic development. Meanwhile, the tourism master plans developed by the UGM students can be used as detailed strategies for tourism infrastructure to attract visitors, boost local businesses, and create job opportunities. Additionally, festivals are organized to showcase local traditions, attract tourists, and generate community income.
The initiatives implemented in both villages have demonstrated the potential for sustainable and impactful community development in line with the Sustainable Development Goals, especially goal 15: Life on Land, goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth and goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. In Kimak Village, the agricultural innovations supported local farmers and promoted environmental sustainability and economic resilience. Meanwhile, in Air Anyir Village, the focus on tourism and economic planning aimed to leverage natural and cultural attractions for economic growth.
A key aspect of the UGM KKN-PPM program was community involvement. By engaging villagers in developing and implementing these innovations, the program ensured that the initiatives were tailored to local needs and conditions. This participatory approach also helped build local capacity, equipping residents with the skills and knowledge needed to sustain these innovations in the long term. The student community service program, UGM KKN-PPM has made significant strides in both Kimak and Air Anyir villages. By focusing on the unique potential of each village and developing tailored innovations, the program has not only improved the standard of living for residents but also laid a foundation for sustainable regional development. These efforts highlight the powerful impact of targeted community service initiatives in fostering local development and resilience. (Abyan/Sasi/ZR)
