Yogyakarta, September 15, 2025 – The Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness (EPA), Faculty of Agriculture, UGM, once again conducted a Village Project implementation, this time located at the Mekar Organic Rice Farmers Group, Ngalian and Ngudi Makmur Organic Rice Farmers Group, Prumpung, Sleman Regency. The activity carried the theme “Program to enhance students’ understanding and capabilities in developing joint marketing concepts through the Village Project model.” This Village Project was participated in by 15 EPA students from the 2022 batch under the guidance of Hariyani Dwi Anjani, S.P., M.Sc., Sugiyarto, S.P., M.Sc., and Dr. Ir. Lestari Rahayu Waluyati, M.P.
During the 30 days in the field, students will interact directly with farmers to apply the concept of joint marketing, which is expected to strengthen the competitiveness of organic agricultural products while increasing students’ capacity to design marketing strategies relevant to the real needs of the farming sector.
The main objective of this activity is to provide students with competencies within the framework of the Impactful Campus program, particularly in improving graduates’ literacy in marketing concepts, so that they are more in line with the needs and challenges in the world of work in the field of agricultural economics and agribusiness. Through direct mentoring, students not only gain practical experience but also have the opportunity to make a real contribution to organic rice farmer groups in expanding their marketing networks.
This Village Project activity is also in line with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 4 (Quality Education) through hands-on learning in the field, SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) through improving students’ job skills while supporting farmers’ economic growth, SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) through strengthening the marketing of sustainable organic agricultural products, and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) through collaboration between universities, farmer groups, and local communities. With the implementation of this Village Project, it is hoped that students will be better prepared to enter the workforce while also supporting community-based sustainable agricultural development.
Author : Aprilia Dwi Hastuti
Admin of the Website for the Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness, Faculty of Agriculture, UGM