Solar-Powered Technology Boosts Harvest Quality for Pasuruan Farmers
Efforts to improve farmer welfare do not always require complex technology. Through the application of appropriate technology, a team of lecturers from UPN ‘Veteran’ East Java has introduced a simple yet impactful solution for corn farmers in Dusun Cabean, Mulyorejo Village, Kraton District, Pasuruan Regency.
The programme, themed ‘Integrated Corn Post-Harvest Technology for Improved Quality and Food Security’, focused on resolving issues faced by farmers, such as reliance on third-party mobile shelling services and conventional drying methods that often compromise the quality of the harvest.
Primasari Cahya Wardhani, head of the community service team, explained that most farmers still depend on travelling shelling machines, incurring additional costs and waiting for service schedules. After shelling, the drying process is still done conventionally on tarpaulins or in open yards, leaving the harvest vulnerable to contamination from dust, dirt, and livestock.
‘These problems result in inconsistent corn quality. In fact, moisture content is crucial in determining the selling price and shelf life of the harvest,’ she said.
As a solution, the team provided a corn shelling machine powered by a Solar Power Plant (PLTS), allowing it to operate without full dependence on the conventional electricity grid. This technology is expected to reduce operational costs while introducing the use of renewable energy at the village level.
Additionally, farmers received a corn drying rack designed to be more hygienic and equipped with moisture sensors at several points. These sensors help farmers monitor the dryness level of the corn more easily, allowing them to determine the precise time to stop the drying process.
Beyond providing equipment, the team also conducted training on post-harvest handling, the importance of maintaining product quality, and farm business management through harvest record-keeping. The material is expected to enhance farmers’ ability to manage production while strengthening their bargaining position when marketing their harvest.
On the same occasion, the programme’s assets were handed over to the Bintang Timur Farmers Group as the activity partner. The handover was witnessed by the Head of Mulyorejo Village as a form of village government support for the use of technology in the agricultural sector.
The head of the Bintang Timur Farmers Group welcomed the programme. He said the presence of the shelling machine and drying technology is expected to speed up the post-harvest process while producing better quality corn.
‘We hope this technology can help farmers work more efficiently, reduce post-harvest costs, and increase the selling value of the corn we produce,’ he said.
Through this activity, UPN ‘Veteran’ East Java not only delivered technological innovation but also encouraged the growth of village community self-reliance in managing agricultural products in a more modern, efficient, and sustainable manner. The programme is part of a Community Service Grant under the Community Partnership Empowerment Scheme funded by the Directorate General of Research and Development, Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology through the BIMA platform.
In addition to supporting agricultural productivity, this activity aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) through strengthening food security, SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) through the use of solar energy, SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) through increasing farmer productivity, SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) through the application of appropriate technology, and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) through collaboration between universities, village government, and farmer groups.