KULON PROGO – An academic team from AKPRIND University Indonesia, in collaboration with the Ambarrukmo Tourism Institute (STIPRAM) Yogyakarta, has officially initiated the Region-Based Empowerment Program (PBW) in Kedungsari Village, Pengasih Subdistrict, Kulon Progo. The initial step of this program, funded by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Kemdiktisaintek) for the 2026 fiscal year, was marked by a socialization event for the community at the local village hall on Sunday (12/7/2026).
To address challenges in the agricultural sector, which is frequently hit by drought, this collaboration introduces a solar-powered irrigation system. This renewable energy-based innovation is designed to irrigate dry lands efficiently to reduce operational costs for farmers. In addition to irrigation, local farmer groups were also provided with compost mixers and grass shredders to accelerate the production of independent organic fertilizer and improve animal feed efficiency.
Not only targeting the agricultural sector, the technological intervention also reaches local micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). The implementation team distributed packaging equipment aid in the form of semi-automatic cup sealers, vacuum sealers, and showcase display coolers to improve hygiene standards and extend the shelf life of residents' processed products. To expand market reach, a website-based information system was also built as a means to digitally promote the village's potential.
The Head of the Implementation Team, Dr. Edhy Sutanta, S.T., M.Kom., explained that this program integrates the active contributions of lecturers and students from various disciplines, such as Mechanical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Informatics, and Tourism. Students are fully involved from preparation, tool usage training, field mentoring, to program impact evaluation to ensure the sustainability of benefits for the community.
The Head of Kedungsari Village, Sukardi, fully appreciated the presence of this community service program. According to him, the technology brought in is highly relevant to solving the classic obstacles faced by his residents, especially the issue of water scarcity which often triggers crop failure. Through this partnership, Sukardi hopes that Kedungsari Village can transform into a food-independent, economically strong, and technologically adaptive village.
