Sembalun, April 20, 2025 – The Faculty of Agriculture, University of Mataram (UNRAM), in collaboration with the Sino International Centre, Malaysia, officially launched a community engagement program in the Sembalun Agrotourism Area. The visit, held on Sunday, April 20, 2025, marked the start of a joint initiative focused on implementing Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and exploring international marketing opportunities through digital platforms.
Led by Prof. Ir. Muhammad Sarjan, M.Agr.CP., Ph.D, the UNRAM delegation included undergraduate students involved in the 2024–2025 Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka (MBKM) program, Master’s students conducting thesis research, and Ph.D students in Sustainable Agriculture preparing to carry out dissertation work in Sembalun.
Representatives from the Sino International Centre, Hisbulloh Als Mustofa, M.Ed and Roy Boy Jon, M.Ed, also joined the visit alongside two prospective doctoral students from China.
Empowering Local Agriculture for Global Impact
Sembalun is one of Lombok Island’s most prominent agrotourism regions, rich in natural beauty and agricultural potential. However, the area still faces challenges, particularly in moving away from conventional farming methods that rely heavily on synthetic chemicals. This collaborative program aims to tackle those issues head-on by introducing GAP principles, promoting organic farming practices, and enhancing product quality and food safety standards.
The initiative is supported by local stakeholders such as PT Sembalun Jaya Agro, which specializes in agribusiness for food crops, horticulture, and plantations, and MAPORINA (Indonesian Organic Farmers and Agriculture Association), which promotes organic farming development nationwide.
Bridging Indonesia and Malaysia through Digital Trade
In addition to improving cultivation techniques, the program also focuses on the digital marketing of Sembalun’s leading agricultural products to international markets—specifically, Malaysia. The collaboration aims to facilitate exports from Sembalun by leveraging Malaysia-based platforms and networks provided by Sino International Centre.
Educational Synergy with MBKM Program
This initiative is not just about community empowerment—it’s also an excellent learning opportunity. UNRAM students from the MBKM KKN Mandiri (independent community service program) are involved in the project and will earn academic recognition for their contributions, with up to 20 academic credits (SKS). The program also supports UNRAM’s efforts to enhance its Key Performance Indicators (IKU) through impactful, real-world student engagement.
Sharing Progress with the Public
All phases of the project—from training to implementation and outcomes—will be shared with the broader public through various media channels, including video documentaries, online platforms, news outlets, seminars, and scientific journals published by LPPM.
This exciting program is a great example of how universities and international partners can work together to empower communities, improve food systems, and foster student development all at once.
Sembalun’s Leading Fresh Agricultural Products
A variety of Arabica and Robusta coffee products from Sembalun, as well as Black Garlic