The Faculty of Agriculture at Padjadjaran University (FAPERTA UNPAD), in collaboration with PT. Indomarco/Indomaret, held a training session and Focus Group Discussion (FGD) at the Plumbon Agricultural Extension Center (BPP) Hall in Cirebon Regency. The event was attended by the Head of Plumbon Village (Kuwu/Kepala Desa), the Head of Plumbon BPP, a team of lecturers from Faperta Unpad, the Indomaret team, and local melon farmers, including Champion Farmer, Mr. Ayip, who is well-known for growing rock melons. The event's goal was to strengthen the capacity of melon farmers in the Plumbon area and develop market potential through a partnership with Indomaret. The participants were enthusiastic about discussing the prospects and challenges of rock melon cultivation, especially concerning good cultivation practices that lead to successful marketing through the Indomaret network.
Mr. Ayip, an experienced melon farmer, shared his long journey to mastering melon cultivation. He explained that his expertise came from a process of (trial and error). "Sometimes it's a success, sometimes I face challenges, but the key is the spirit to keep learning," said Mr. Ayip. His desire for continuous learning is a valuable asset that he now shares with other farmers.
Dr. Nursuhud, a senior lecturer and fruit crop expert from Faperta Unpad, provided technical advice on more sustainable melon cultivation. He emphasized the importance of crop rotation, organic fertilization, routine weeding, and proper pruning to help melon farmers achieve long-term, sustainable success. His recommendations were well-received by the participants, who continued to delve deeper into modern, environmentally friendly cultivation techniques.
Indomaret's team also participated in the training, offering input on pre-harvest supervision. Indomaret hopes the harvested products will meet their specifications to ensure the best quality melons reach consumers.
In addition to the technical training, the event included a discussion and feedback session on the melon cultivation system already implemented by local farmers. Input from farmers like Mr. Ayip will be used to enrich the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for melon cultivation, which the Faperta Unpad team is designing specifically for Plumbon's local farmers.
Dr. Wawan Sutari, the head of the Faperta Unpad team for the Plumbon Project, expressed his hope that this activity is not the end of Faperta Unpad's contribution. "This is the initial phase of our effort to continue bringing in experts in their fields and working with farmers for the success of melon cultivation in Plumbon," he said, concluding the event.
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